Page 1

Items Included

Beginner Practice

Use Techniques

Weight/Volume

Control Ratios

Basic Concepts

Step-By-Step

Design 1 2 3

Finishing

Product List

Buy This Item

Welcome to the fascinating art of lifecasting!

What Is Earthium™? The odd name comes from two of its ingredients; Diatomaceous Earth and Calcium. Part of each term is used to make the new word Earthium™.

The purpose of this unique system is to create highly detailed, flexible molds which are completely safe for use on any part of a living body. Earthium™ is nontoxic and biodegradable. The powders are made from food and pharmaceutical grade chemicals, the purest available. Control is exercised by how they are used with water.

CAUTION! Avoid inhaling or swallowing the dry powders. A Material Safety Data Sheet is available by clicking the MSDS side tab.

Materials Included:

Printed Instructions: These instructions are designed as a thorough introduction to the art of Lifecasting. The general techniques are detailed in additional site website areas.

2 BlendBag™: These are specifically made for Lifecasting. The markings are for liquid or powder volume measurement and may be used many times. Punctures can be repaired with clear mending tape.

Straw: Used to release the suction which forms between the Earthium™ and the original object or body part. Also can be used for a breathing tube when making a LifeMask™.

Hook & Loop: These self adhesive strips of material are cut into 1/2 to 1 inch (or longer) pieces and used for 2 purposes:

1. Attach them inside of your casting container (matrix) to grip onto the mold & prevent distortion (the hook or the loop side).

2. Attach them to the bottoms of the sculptures to prevent furniture scratches (the softer loop side).

Earthium(f/x)™: The 2 powders are non-toxic and non-allergenic. Packages come with 2/3 of Part A and 1/3 of Part B.

•, Part A (white or tan): Absorbs many times its weight in water to gradually thicken into the 'base' of your working ratio.

•, Part B (blue): Controls the amount of working time you have as well as factors of flexibility and durability.

CAUTION: Avoid Swallowing Powder Or Prolonged Inhaling Of The Dust. Powder may dry the skin with prolonged contact.

Packages Sizes By Item Number:

#1160 Small: 1.33 pounds Part A/.66 pounds Pound part B with 6 inches each of hook & loop self adhesive strips. Other items shown.

#1161 Large: 4 pounds Part A / 2 pounds Part B with 12 inches each of hook & loop self adhesive strips. Other items shown.

#1162 Ecomomy: 8 pounds Part A / 4 pounds part B with 2 feet each of hook & loop self adhesive strips. Other items shown.

Earthium(f/x)™ Bulk Quantities:

#1163 Part A Bulk: 10 lbs. lots in 2 BlendBags™

#1164 Part B Bulk: 5 pound lots in 1 BlendBag™

Custom: Contact us via eMail for bulk, unpackaged quantities at significant savings or to arrange for specific formulations to meet your requirements.

SECTION 1: Earthium™ Practice Exercises:

For these orientation sessions you need measuring spoons, small cups, clean, room temperature (65 to 70 degree F) water and a small flexible spatula or wire whisk.

Measurements here are by volume so remember to fluff up the powders before scooping, tapping & leveling off.

•, Use weight measures on precision projects

EXERCISE 1: Dry Method at a Slow Set Ratio.

1) Put 2 tablespoons (tbsp.) of Part A and 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) of Part B in a dry cup. Mix the powders together. This ratio is 1:1/12 (one to one twelfth).

•, Dry ratios must be slow since Part A takes time to absorb water (hydrate).

2) Add 2 tablespoons (tbsp.) of water and begin blending. It will be very thick and lumpy at first but, will smooth out as you "work" it. Mix this until all lumps are gone and the Earthium™ becomes a smooth, evenly colored 'dough' but, not longer than 5 minutes.

White Space:

Make sure to scrape the sides of the cup as you blend it to get it all "worked" in.

•, This total ratio would be written 1:1:1/12 in the order of Water (H2O): A: B

3) Spread the mixture on a convenient, water proof surface or leave it in the cup. It will take about 20 minutes to turn into a soft, flexible solid. This is called "setting".

4) Go on to the next, faster exercises and come back to check this one later.

EXERCISE 2: Half & Half Method at a Fast Set Ratio.

1) Combine 4 tbsp. of water and 2 tbsp. of Part A in a cup. Again, it will be very lumpy at first but, since there is no Part B in the mix yet you can set it aside to soak for a few minutes then come back and stir it some more until all lumps are gone and a thick "paste" is formed.

•, This is a 2:1 ratio so far (twice as much water as Part A).

2) Put 2 tsp. of dry Part B powder on top of the smooth, paste-like Part A. Until you actively mix the powder in it will just sit on top. When you're ready blend the powder into the paste until the colors blend and the lumps dissolve but, no longer than 2 minutes at this ratio.

White Space:

•, Part B dissolves very easily. This is now a 2:1:1/3 ratio since we used 2 tsp. of B.

3) Dip a few fingertips into the fluid and wait. The Earthium™ will thicken and within another 2 minutes become a solid, flexible mold around your fingertips.

4) Wiggle gently & remove your fingers from the mold. Notice the amazing detail, right down to the fingerprints! Set this mold aside for use in the next exercise.

EXERCISE 3: Wet Method at a Fast Set Ratio.

1) Combine 3 tbsp. of water with only 1 tbsp. of Part A. Mix, soak and mix until it becomes like a smooth pancake batter ( a 3:1 ratio so far).

•, There's no rush since Part B is not yet added.

2) In another cup, put 1 tbsp. of water & add 1 tbsp. (an equal volume) of Part B.

•, Part B dissolves easily but, settles to the bottom if left to sit. Make sure to mix up solutions of Part B just before pouring them into solutions of Part A.

•, Part B is always mixed with an equal volume of water in these instructions.

3) Pour the blue liquid into the tan liquid and stir quickly until the colors blend but, no longer than 30 seconds. It will blend easily since you are mixing two liquids. Quickly pour this "batter" into the mold of your fingertips made in exercise #2.

•, This is now a 3:1:1 ratio since we used 3 parts H2O to 1 Part A and 1 Part B.

White Space:

4) This fast ratio will set within 2 minutes. Remove it from the mold and examine the LifeCast™ of your fingertips. Each fingerprint will be perfectly duplicated! Most projects will be poured in something like plaster or wax but, temporary Earthium™ casts can be very useful.

Compare these 3 "tests" in an hour.

•, #1 remains flexible. Wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator, #1 will last for days and allow repeated casts.

•, #2 is stiffer with less durability

•, #3 turns very brittle and crumbles. Molds with high B ratios must be used immediately.

For larger projects you must scale up the batches. For large and particularly for Precision LifeCast™ projects you should always obtain your powder measurements by weight not volume.

Section 3 provides the necessary conversion information but, the actual variations are infinite.

SECTION 2: Outline of Earthium™ Use:

Methods Of Creative Control:

Do each exercise in Section 1 if this is unfamiliar to you.

1. Wet: The powders are mixed with water separately then combined as fluids.

•, The best way to allow the powders to hydrate (absorb H2O).

2. Dry: Parts A & B are combined as powders first then mixed with water.

•, A convenient approach when precision is less important.

White Space:

3. Half & Half: Only Part A is liquefied and part B is mixed in dry.

•, A hybrid approach which simplifies measurements.

4. Experimental: Earthium™ can be mixed with other powders or liquids to create useful special effects or working characteristics.

Constant Factors In All Methods:

1. Water Determines Volume.

•, The powders do not significantely increase the volume of water alone.

2. Powders Determine Characteristics.

•, Part A for thickness & durability.

•, Part B for speed & flexibility.

White Space:

3. Hydration Requires Time:

•, Both Part A and B take 4-5 minutes of constant mixing.

•, They can also be left to soak for 20-30 minutes then will smooth out very quickly when stirred and be ready for use. This is very useful for large batches.

•, They can be stored in a refridgerator for few weeks. You must stir them, then bring them up to your working temperature after storage in this fashion.

Variable Conditions In All Methods:

1. Temperature: Cold materials react much slower than warm ones and is an important control method, especially for Precision LifeCasting™.

2. Relative water (H2O) to powder amounts (ratios). Always written as H2O:A:B

•, Less H2O makes a thicker, denser, more detailed and more durable solid.

•, More H2O makes a thinner, weaker, more flexible solid.

White Space:

Two Distinct Measurement Systems:

1. Weight (pounds, ounces): Repeatability of exact behavior.

•, Best method for large scale work (ie; over a gallon) and always measure powders by weight for any Precision LifeCast™ (see LifeCast™ Library).

White Space:

2. Volume (cups, tablespoons): Easy to measure small amounts. Approximate behavior.

•, To measure the powders by volume a consistent, powder density is needed.

•, Fluff up the powders loosely before measuring by volume.

Other Important Information:

1. Low B Ratios must be well blended or pockets of medium may remain liquid.

2. Storage: Powders will last indefinitely if kept dry. They both absorb moisture aggressively from the atmosphere. This can affect their behavior over time.

•, Liquefied Part A (up to a 2:1 ratio) will last several weeks if refrigerated.

3. Preservation: Molds which are made with low A : B ratios can last for weeks if wrapped in plastic and refrigerated.

•, Several copies can be made from one mold.

SECTION 3: U.S.A. (avoirdupois) Weight/Volume Referance and Ratio Examples:

VOLUMES:

1 Gallon (gl) = 4 Quarts (qt) = 8 Pints (pt) = 16 Cups (cp) = 256 Tablespoons (tbsp) = 768 Teaspoons (tsp)

1 Quart = 2 Pints

1 Pint = 2 Cups

1 Cup = 16 Tablespoons

1 Tablespoon = 3 Teaspoons

WEIGHTS:

1 Pound (lb) = 16 Ounces (oz) = 448 Grams (gm)

1 Ounce (oz) = 28 Grams (gm)

Water (H2O) = 8 oz per cup

Part A = 3 oz per cup

Part B = 4.5 oz per cup

•, Do not mix Volume and Weight measures in a single project.

PreBlended (Hydrated) Ratio Weights:

•, For use when measuring out a specific project batch from a larger volume of liquefied Part A. Weight and volume are constant in liquids since density does not vary.

One Cup Hydrated Part A Weighs:

•, Hydrated at Ratio 1:1 = 11 oz. (8oz. H2O plus 3oz. Powder)

•, Hydrated at Ratio 2:1 = 9.5 oz. (16oz. H2O + 3oz Pwdr/2)

•, Hydrated at Ratio 3:1 = 9 oz. (24oz. H2O + 3oz. Pwdr/3)

Example Ratios Timings:

Working Time (WORK) in the table below is to end of the fluid state. Model or object must be in position and holding relatively still in the Earthium™.

Setting Time (SET) is when to release the model. This is the minimum time. Mold will continue to set beyond these times, becoming slightly firmer and, in high B ratios more brittle.

•, Cold powder or water slows these work & set times.

•, Warm powder or water speeds these work & set times

Ratio Table Examples:

In the following tables;

•, Room temperature (65 to 70 degrees F) is used throughout unless otherwise noted. If unsure of temperature let all materials sit in a heated room for several hours before using.

•, Times are close approximations due to variations in individual methods of mixing, humidity, ambient temperature, etc.

•, Part A is thoroughly hydrated at the ratios shown.

•, Part B is blended with its equal amount of water just before combining with the hydrated Part A.

Note: To maintain an exact amount of total material volume the amount of water needed to mix with Part B must be subtracted out from the total before hydrating Part A.

Example; You need 1 gallon total for a project. You want to work with a paste consistency with a working time of 7-8 minutes. Looking over the tables below you see that this will require using 1/2 gallon of Part A and 1/12 gallon of Part B.

1. From the volume references above you know that there are 16 cups to a gallon so you will need 8 cups of Part A (16/2) and 1.3 cups of Part B (16/12).

2. Remove 1.3 cups of water from the gallon before hydrating Part A with the remaining 14.7 cups.

3. When ready mix the 1.3 cups of Part B with the 1.3 cups of water taken out. Do thisjust before adding it to the liquid Part A. This will make the required gallon of final material.

White Spacer:

•, WORK and SET Times are in minutes.

•, Volumes are in cups after fluffing up the powders loosely. It is only in this low density condition that a cup volume equals the weights given above for Parts A and B.

•, Volume Ratios (to avoid impractically tiny fractions) are written in sequential order of H2O:A:B where water is the base value followed by A in proportion to it then B in proportion to A. Each component's ratio refers to the immediately prior component, not back to the water.

Example; 2:1:0.75 in English would read "For every two cups of water add 1 cup of A then combine with 3/4 cup of B ."

SLOW RATIOS: (Part B Note; 2 teaspoons is 1/24 of a cup)
Ratio (H2O:A) @ 65-70 degF	Volumes Mixed (H2O + A)	Total Fluid	Part B+ equal H2O	WORK	SET	Volume Ratio (H2O : A : B)	Weight Ratios By % of Water (Rounded to Nearest 10th)
Dough (1 : 1) Paste (2 : 1) Batter (3 : 1)	1 cup + 1 cup 1 cup + 1/2 cup 1 cup + 1/3 cup	1 cup 1 cup 1 cup	2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons	30 20 10	60 30 15	1 : 1 : 1/24 2 : 1 : 1/24 3 : 1 : 1/24	100 : 37.5 : 1 100 : 19 : 0.5 100 : 12.5 : 0.3
MEDIUM RATIOS: (Part B Note; 4 teaspoons is 1/12 of a cup)
Dough (1 : 1) Paste (2 : 1) Batter (3 : 1)	1 cup + 1 cup 1 cup + 1/2 cup 1 cup + 1/3 cup	1 cup 1 cup 1 cup	4 teaspoons 4 teaspoons 4 teaspoons	10 7 5	15 9 8	1 : 1 : 1/12 2 : 1 : 1/12 3 : 1 : 1/12	100 : 37.5 : 2 100 : 19 : 1 100 : 12.5 : 0.5
FAST RATIOS: (Part B Note; 2 tablespoons is 1/8 of a cup)
Dough (1 : 1) Paste (2 : 1) Batter (3 : 1)	1 cup + 1 cup 1 cup + 1/2 cup 1 cup + 1/3 cup	1 cup 1 cup 1 cup	2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons	5 4 3	5 4 4	1 : 1 : 1/8 2 : 1 : 1/8 3 : 1 : 1/8	100 : 37.5 : 3 100 : 19 : 2 100 : 12.5 : 1
VERY FAST RATIOS: (Part B Note; 4 tablespoons is 1/4 of a cup)
Dough (1 : 1) Paste (2 : 1) Batter (3 : 1)	1 cup + 1 cup 1 cup + 1/2 cup 1 cup + 1/3 cup	1 cup 1 cup 1 cup	4 tablespoons 4 tablespoons 4 tablespoons	1.5 1.5 1.5	2 2 2	1 : 1 : 1/4 2 : 1 : 1/4 3 : 1 : 1/4	100 : 37.5 : 6 100 : 19 : 3 100 : 12.5 : 1.5

DRY METHOD VARIATION: Parts A & B mixed together as dry powder first, then blended with water.

•, At the above ratios the working times are about 25% less and must be constantly blended or portions may set prematurely.

•, Since the powders require 2 to 5 minutes of constant mixing to fully hydrate (depending on ratio), any dry ratios with less Working Time than that will remain lumpy.

PRECISE LifeCast™ RATIOS: Wet method. Ratio by weight.

•, Hydrated Part A at the temperature & ratio shown.

•, Hydrated Part B with equal volume of water.

- Example #1 at room temperature. (65-70 degF): 100:67:67

Work Time = 45 Seconds / Set Time = 45 Seconds

- Example #2 at body temp. (100 degF): 100:33:1

Work Time = 30 Seconds / Set Time = 30 Seconds

Copyright © 1987 through 2003 by MSWinn. Thank you for visiting www.lifecast.net!