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Displacement
Matrix Marks
Using A
BlendBag™
Powders
Liguids
Other Media

Chapter 2: Waste Not, Want Not
Systems of Measurement & Conservation

Measuring Other Mediums:
POWDERS:
Plaster, Cement & Concrete and other powders would be measured in a similar way as explained on the previous page concerning our ArtCast™. Each type has a different recommended ratio of water to powder however which should be specified in the manufacturer's instructions.
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Also, it is important to discover whether and by how much the addition of the water (or other liquid ) affects the overall volume of working medium produced. Usually this is only learned by experience or by 'picking the brains' of technicians and educators familiar with the item.
LIQUIDS:
Thermoset Resins and other mediums which begin as liquids will typically be measured by weight to determine volume. Since these are typically rather expensive and or time consuming you don't want to waste them with mistakes. This is where you need to know about a chemical's "specific gravity" to use as the basis of measurement. (See below)
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It is much easier and safer to use water to determine these volumes (see LifeCast™ Basics) than the mediums themselves. For example, fill the mold with water then pour this into a measuring cup. Or measure by displacement to begin with. Then calculate and weigh out the amount of resin and catalyst needed to equal that volume.
SOLIDS:
Waxes, Thermoplastic Resins and other mediums that are solid at room temperature are still measured by weight per volume. Then you need to find out how much a specific volume ( a cup for example) of that medium weights and do a conversion if the specific gravity is not provided.
Weight per volume can be found in the manufacturer's instructions or MSDS sheets in many cases. Sometimes you have to figure it out for yourself by melting some and weighing that volume then do the math before melting a batch.
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For example: If the wax your using weighs 12 ounces per cup (a specific gravity of 1.5) and you need 8 cups then you need a total of 12 X 8 = 96 ounces or 6 pounds. Weigh out 6 pounds or so and melt it. That should be approximately the correct volume.
NOTE: In lifecasting a 'pour' of hot wax must be done all at once, it cannot be added to. As wax cools it will shrink slightly. By 'topping off" an ArtForm™ or Earthium™ mold some of the additional wax will seep over the previous, now condensed and cooling shell and ruin the details! (See Chapter 4)

Specific Gravity (aka: Relative Density):
The phrase "specific gravity" within this context refers to how much a liquid weighs on Earth at sea level as compared to an equal volume of water which is used as the standard.
•, Water = 1.0 so a chemical thats has a specific gravity of 1.0 is equal to water. For example; water in the above conditions weighs 8 ounces per cup. Therefore if a liquid's specific gravity is 1.1 it would require 8.8 ounces (1.1 x 8) to fill a measuring cup with it.
•, Since, by definition thermoset resins have 2 parts (usually called simply Part A & Part B) which frequently have differing specific gravities a little arithmetic will be needed on your part to calculate how much stuff a project will require.
•, Specific gravity is always listed in a product's technical data sheets and/or instructions for use.
Copyright © 1987 through 2003 by MSWinn. Thank you for visiting www.lifecast.net!
ToP
1/18/03

LifeCast™ & MSW Creative Works Legal Information:

Contents of this web site (lifecast.net) and all life cast materials and other art and sculpture products or lifecast kit packaging, art techniques and sculpture instructions copyright © 1986-2002 by Mark S. Winn. All rights reserved. The terms BODY PARTS™, LifeCast™, ChildCast™, StudioPack™, ArtForm™, ArtCast™, Earthium™, Earthium(f/x)™, ShrinKast™, PolyART™, WaterTrap™, BlendBag™, Successful Creativity Guarantee™, LifeMask™, FastMask™ as well as the phrase "Make YourSelf Immortal!™" and any other art materials product or craft item denoted by a small 'TM' (such as in LifeCast™) are trademarks. The phrases life cast and life casting or the words lifecast and lifecasting are generic.
Our LifeCast™ products or other sculpture, mold making and art materials products are are entirely safe within the context of arts & crafts when used as directed. Other arts & crafts materials shown here each carry their own warnings and degrees of safety. They are available for use as creative mediums AT YOUR OWN RISK and since we cannot control the actual use of these art products, we disclaim any responsibility for damage or injury caused by incorrect or experimental life cast, sculpture, life mask, erotic art or other mold making or creative applications.
NOT FOR USE BY CHILDREN: These arts & crafts materials may be used with children of any age but should never be used by an unsupervised child. A "child" is defined by law as anyone under the age of 18 years. Our art, lifecast or sculpture product prohibitions against unsupervised use by children therefore applies to all persons under that age. "Supervised" by definition means at all times, through each step of any use of our life cast or other art materials. Such supervision must be by an adult over the age of 18 years while using the BODY PARTS™ LifeCast™ kits or other life cast, sculpture and art materials.
Our life cast, sculpture and other art materials should never be used by anyone who cannot read, understand and apply the language in which the lifecast, sculpture or art materials' instructions appear. The terms of said language are exclusively defined in any standard, widely accepted and comprehensive dictionary of that language and are meant to be construed in no other manner.
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