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Viscousity
Gravity Casting
Air Bubbles
Air Traps
Air Paths
Suction

Chapter 3: Go With The Flow
The physics of fluid behavior in lifecasting.

Suction & Air Pressure:
Since we live at the bottom of a huge air-ocean called the atmosphere, there are fairly large forces pressing down on us from all directions at all times. This air pressure tends to make semi-vacumes form when isolated pockets of matter are created, like inside of a mold.
Suction happens when two or more things are so closely fitted that they become isolated. In lifecasting, the mold fits the skin right down to the fingerprints and will hold you in. Because of this "vacume seal", if you just forced your way out the mold would be damaged or destroyed.
The inside and outside pressures must be equalized or joined.
To break this suction you must force some fluid (remember that includes both gas and liquid) between the mold and the skin. We typically use air, blown in through the straw provided to release the suction.
Water can also be used but, it makes the process messy and the water must then be poured back out immediately. If left to sit in the mold it begins to dissolve some of the finer details of the LifeCast™ sculpture. It can be necessary though, in some very deep molds of arms and legs.
To release model from the mold follow these steps, doing one hand at a time:
1. First blow air with the straw firmly around the upper edges of where the wrist enters the mold to loosen it up.
2. Then slide the straw in the mold deeper. Be careful to press the straw against the skin as you do this so it doesn't scratch or gouge the mold.
3. Blow hard and the model should feel some areas of their hand loosen up. Repeat this in 2 or 3 locations around the wrist as the model wiggles gently. Be sure their fingertips are loose and have them slowly pull their hand free.
If any little pieces of the mold fall inside you can also use the straw to suck them out gently. Be careful not to inhale to strong or you could accidentally choke doing it this way. You can also tip the can upside down and tap the pieces out before pouring the cast.
Mechanical or tank fed air compressors also work very well. especially in deep designs. However, make sure you have the regulator under control or you may damage your mold with too much pressure.
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.
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