Page 7
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.

Latex (Rubber):

Rubber began as the sap or milky juice (latex) of certain trees and plants. That is still the basis for most rubber products such as rubber cement, rubber bands, erasers, electrical insulation, gloves, tires and, of course, condoms. There are now several synthetic rubbers as well but, for our purposes, latex is the only type of rubber useful to LifeCasting™.
Latex is gather from trees similar to the way maple syrup is, with taps and buckets to collect the liquid. It is very watery in its native state and must be distilled onto a thicker fluid. Latex tends to coagulate in contact with air as it thickens so some form of solvent, like ammonia is added to prevent it.
The purest form of latex is used by dipping a shaped armature, like a ball for balloons or a hand shape for rubber gloves into the liquid. It then solidifies on contact with air and evaporation of the solvent. This dipping process is repeated until the desired thickness is achieved but requires exposure to air between each layer.
For this reason you cannot just pour rubber into an ArtFORM™ or Earthium™ mold, there is too much moisture on the contact side to allow the latex to oxidize. Latex can however be used on a finished LifeCast™ in cement, plastic, wax, etc. to make an inexpensive mold for repeated castings or prototypes.
Mold making latex is combined with fillers and chemical modifiers to give thickness or "body" to the medium. This combination allows a mold to be built up to the needed thickness quickly and economically by painting on layers.
Frequently ground up rubber powder from old tires is added in some areas to fill in undercuts inexpensively. We offer latex molds as a less expensive mold making Service in that section.
Another discovery about latex was made by Mr. Goodyear while in debtors prison (he never benefited from this priceless discovery). If latex is heated in combination with sulfur it becomes extrodinarily elastic and durable. This is called vulcanization and can make latex either very flexible or very stiff.
Known as "casting latex" the rigid form of it was used extensively to make doll parts and other small items before much was known about polymers (a technical name for "plastics"). It discolors in time which is why antique dolls today have a typically yellowish tint.
The flexible version of casting latex is still widely used today. Highly skilled special effects (f/x) artists use it to make prosthetic devices for the actors to wear as part of their make-up and costumes. The next time you see a "Klingon" or some type of biological machine, chances are they are wearing clever prosthetics made possible by Mr. Goodyear's discovery.
Casting latex is used similarly to ceramic or clay "slip". It requires a mold that can withstand heat and absorb the excess moisture. These molds are made of gypsum cements, like our ArtCAST™ which, if prepared correctly can "wick" the moisture away from the mold surface and pass it to the outside where it evaporates.
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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