Page 4
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.

"Cold" Cast Metals & Artificial Stones
"Cold" Cast Metals & Artificial Stones are misleading terms. They are basically plastic resins which are filled with either metal or mineral powders which simulate the real things.
While they can be very beautiful and useful to LifeCasting™, they behave like and have the limitations of the plastic resin which is used as a binder. These are described on the next page.

Polymer and Monomer Resins (Plastics):
Plastics are one of the most (if not the most) important developments of the 20th century. When you understand how many other things depend on these complex molecules it staggers the imagination.
The term itself, is plastic or able to fit many uses. In one sense all of the visual or sculptural arts can be called "plastic".
For the LifeCast™ artist the word is an oversimplification.
Many mediums, very different from one another are all lumped together into the category of "plastics". A more accurate term is resin which is also a simplification but, adequate to our topic. There are two basic types;
1. Thermoplastic resins become soft and/or fluid when heated and return to a more rigid state upon cooling, similar to wax. These typically cannot be used in molding except for slush casting, or its cousin press/ram casting. As such they are not as useful to us as the second type. Three common types are;
•, Hot melt glues which are actually various types of plastic
•, The trade named modeling medium "Friendly Plastic©"
•, Various brands of polymer clay such as "Sculpty®"
2. Thermoset resins are those which harden upon being heated by a chemical reaction These "plastics" consist of two parts, a resin and a catalyst which are mixed together as liquids and react to form a solid over time. Additives can be used to alter their characteristics. These are very useful in LifeCasting™. These are the most readily available.

Polymer Clays:
Polymer Clays with remarkable abilities have appeared in recent years. They can be modeled by hand or with tools then baked at low temperature for 10 to 30 minutes to become hardened. They usually have brilliant colors which are permanent.
They are useful for press type slush casts and also for layering on top of a LifeCast™ made of another medium. These thin layers can be heated with a hair dryer to the temperature needed without baking. When cool they will harden to a durable, colorful surface.

Polyurethane:
– Polyurethane is a very liquid, light, strong plastic which retains excellent detail and can be highly weather resistant. It consists of the urethane resin and an isocyanate catalyst which become very hot upon mixing, thereby forming the solid. Like all thermoset plastics, once the reaction occurs it cannot be reversed.
Most polyurethanes are used as foam for insulation, padding, etc. This of course is not good for detail retention and is caused by a reaction between water and the isocyanate catalyst. When they mix, carbon dioxide bubbles appear, creating the foam. For our purposes, this is bad and difficult to avoid since we pour LifeCasts™ into molds that are mostly water.
It is also somewhat hostile to water and must be used a certain way in our molds;
Use Earthium™ (f/x) at a medium to low Part B ratio (see Earthium™ instructions) which will make it set slower but also prevent moisture from escaping as quickly. Use slightly more catalyst than recommended to set the polyester resin faster (too much will crack the casting - see manufacturer's guidelines). Get the casting out of the mold as soon as it can hold its own shape. The surface may still be tacky since the moisture may prevent it from setting. Let it air cure for a day and if still sticky, spray it with a clear sealant.
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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