Page 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Plasters
Concrete
Wax
Polymer Clay
Plastics 1 2 3
Rubber
Ceramics
Chocolate & Ice

Chapter 4: Sculpture & Casting Media
An overview of contemporary choices.

Wax:
Waxes come in an enormous array of formulas, each with its own unique applications. Nearly all 3 dimensional items, from toys to turbine blades to bronze sculptures either begin as wax or go through a wax phase in their creation. It is by far the best medium for capturing the finest detail of a LifeCast™. It is usually not a final medium except in candle making or temporary displays which will not be handled. A wax model must be transferred into another, permanent material.
Waxes are usually solid at normal temperatures but liquefy upon heating. This causes some problems with typical mold rubbers and plastics. Pouring a hot wax into a cool mold frequently causes the wax to solidify too quickly, causing "freeze plugs" in narrow areas and preventing the wax from duplicating the entire mold.
The advantage of using wax in an ArtFORM™ or Earthium™ (f/x) mold is that our molds are mostly water! They can be heated in a microwave oven very quickly to be as hot or hotter than the melting point of many waxes. When the wax is poured, it does not solidify until the entire mold does. This creates LifeCasts™ of absolutely stunning detail, capturing every skin pore, every crease, every fingerprint. These can then be transferred to metal, such as bronze at very reasonable cost, since they are already in wax. If this interests you please refer to our Services section.
You will not encounter much choice of this medium in typical art supply stores and must search out specialists in this medium, such as those who supply universities, foundries or industrial manufacturers. The best waxes for
LifeCasting™ are those which become very liquid at temperatures less than the boiling point of water. They tend to be quite brittle in their solid states. They are not malleable.
Of the common art & craft waxes which you may find in the better art supply stores;
Paraffin is a petroleum product which is not water soluble. It is liquid at a high temperatures with a boiling point above 300 degrees C which pours easily. It is used primarily for candles and can create some very interesting LifeCast™ candles. It is stiff, brittle an retains moderate detail.
Beeswax is a yellowish substance secreted by bees to create their honeycomb. It is solid a room temperature but melts quite easily and as such cannot be handled much. It is also used for candles but is excellent for polishing LifeCasts™ made in cements such as ArtCAST™.
Microcrystalline is a dark brown, modeling wax made of petroleum distillates and other additives. It is an excellent medium for modeling shapes and is used similar to modeling clays but, never dries out. It use for casting is limited because it is not designed to become liquid. Upon heating it becomes very loose and pliable, even in your hands but, cannot be poured into a mold. Also, microcrystalline never becomes very stiff unless frozen and must be used over an armature for any sizable work.
A good way to get the characteristics of two or more waxes is to melt them together, microcrystalline and paraffin for example will give a pour able wax which is less brittle.
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.
Purchase and/or use of our life cast, sculpture or other art materials implies your understanding and acceptance of these reasonable terms. If you do not agree, for any reason, please do not purchase or use our lifecast, sculpture, mold making or other arts & crafts products.
The information contained in this document is given in good faith based on our current knowledge. It is only an indication and is in no way binding, particularly as regards infringement d or prejudice to third party rights through the use of our products. MSW GUARANTEES THAT ITS PRODUCTS COMPLY WITH ITS SALES SPECIFICATIONS. This information must on no account be used as a substitute for necessary prior tests which alone can ensure that a product is suitable for a given use. Users are responsible for ensuing compliance with local legislations and for obtaining the necessary certifications and authorizations. Users are requested to check that they are in possession of the latest version of this document.
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