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casting graphite query
susan williams -
Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 9:55am
casting graphite I want to cast some small sculptures in graphite powder. Can anyone suggest a binder which will be invisible in the finished piece. I have in the past used graphite with melted wax but it obviously pours very sluggishly and the wax is visible in the result. Thanks. ![]() casting graphite
visitor -
Friday, November 18, 2011 - 6:46am
thanks very much for the reply. The moulds are made from ordinary silicone sealant backed up by a plaster jacket. I've cast plumbers' solder into these and it works perfectly with hardly any venting needed. I will give it a go with the method you suggest. I will try to thin it as much as posible. The other question I have is about resin bonded sand which is used for sand casting machine parts. Is each grain of sand somehow coated in the resin and then subjected to heat to solidify it? It would be good if graphite could be treated in this way so the eventual cast looks like pure powder held together with no evidence visually of the binder. Sue. |
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graphite casting
Open faced mold or closed and intricate several part molds? Both could work but would be very different in watching the results to perfect the proportions and process. I never tried it but here is the route I would give a chance to: First use Silicone RTV molds that are flexible and give multiple uses. Let it cure well before casting and give an airing and break between casts as it may be collecting gas off from the media and weakening or slightly distorting if not allowed to go back to it's original stages. Then use the powdered graphite mixed with either a clear epoxy or polyester resin and appropriate catalysts but also mix in a small amount of thinner to the resin. Acetone works well and the best I know of. Make the resin as thin as possible as it is going to be a clear base binder and nothing else. It should be thin enough and minimally used so the graphite will pour like a cream. If you want to also centrifugal or vacuum assist cast it that would also aid in eliminating any bubbles or inclusions it but may not be necessary. bpfink