what is a good metal casting material?
hey, i was wondering now for about a month what a good metal casting material is. I have tried making a compound i found off of the internet that was mock marble but it did not work, the mixture simply craked apart when i took it out of the mold, and i am going to attempt concrete next, so please if you have recomendation please help me out and post a link for the recipe needed thanks.
Posted in Metal Casting | 
Tags: Blogs, Casting, gaga, Good, material, Metal, Metal Casting, New, vitamin k2
4 Responses to “what is a good metal casting material?”
it really depends what metal you want to cast.
If you want to cast a low temp metal like pewter you will have more and different options than if you want to cast bronze or iron.
Generally a plaster sand mix is a good investment material. However, it’s really important that the mold does not contain any water, otherwise it won’t work out at all.
Depending what you want to do, cuttlefish bone can also be carved and used, particularly for jewelry.
If you are thinking of casting concrete and mock marble, then you need to look at all of the different kinds of plaster, like Hydrocal which shrink less and are more durable.
If you are talking about casting metal into this material, the concrete is terrible because it holds water and plaster alone disintegrates at casting temps. You should look at special plaster/silica mixtures or prepared investment mixes. You also have to decide what metal since lead, zinc, and tin can be cast in flexible silicone rubber mold while bronze, brass, and iron require refractory molds. Start here at least http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/castgobl.htm
Again Mike is the man…
Plaster/Silica is your best bet, you can get fingerprint level detail. Plaster silica is great for lost wax casting as well…
BUT don’t forget the best mold material of all, pure sand. There are 2 part resin and gas activated sand products out there… You can make open face as well as more complex molds with sand and it’s very very easy. You can even carve into sand! (try “carving” with a power screw driver)
My comments are geared towards foundry metals like bronxe, iron, aluminum etc. If you want to jewelery or studio metals I can’t be of much help.. Sorry
cast iron is common casting metal.. but if your looking for a metal that will be strong i suggest bronze.. it is more expensive but worth every penny..
I use cast iron very often and have never had a problem with it. there are places all over the nation that will cast work for you, or allow you to participate in a pour.