RESIN CASTING GLOSSARY
ACETONE A solvent used to clean up polyester casting resin while a liquid. Rubbing alcohol is also suitable for cleanup.
CASTING Hardened or cured project made with casting resin. Also, the process of creating a project with polyester casting resin.
CASTING RESIN A water-clear polyester resin noted for its clarity, sparkle and brilliance. Designed to be used by handicrafters for embedding objects, specimens, etc.
CATALYST A chemical agent added to casting resin to convert the resin from a liquid to a solid. (Catalyst is sometimes called ‘hardener’.)
COLORANTS Dyes and pigments developed primarily for use with polyester resin. Opaque pigments produce a solid color. Transparent dyes produce a ‘see-through’ color.
CURE The hardening process that casting resin goes through after catalyst has been added. Stages of this process go from a liquid to a ‘soft gel’ at about 20 minutes to a ‘click-hard’ in 1 to 24 hours.
EMBEDMENTS Objects to be encased or suspended in casting resin. Embedments must be dry, wax-free and grease-free.
EXOTHERM The internal heat created as catalyzed resin goes through the hardening, or curing process.
FRACTURE A split or crack in a casting caused by over-catalyzing.
GEL A stage of curing when the resin appears like ‘set’ gelatin. At this point the weight of embedments can be supported by the ‘gelled’ layer of resin.
GRADUATED or CALIBRATED MEASURING/MIXING CUPS:
Cups with markings indicating number of ounces or pints, necessary for accurate measuring of polyester resin. Suitable cups would be made of Pyrex™, polyethylene, or disposable paper cups with a plastic lining.
LATEX MOLD MATERIAL In liquid form natural latex can be brushed in layers on a sculptured form or master. The resulting flexible glove mold can be filled with catalyzed polyester resin, plaster, or candle wax to produce an exact copy of the original piece. |
MOLD A container in which resin is cast. Mold materials for casting resin include: Oven-safe glass, metal, polypropylene and polyethylene, latex, silicone R.T.V., ceramic, polyurethane elastomers, and flexible vinyl plastisol.
MOLD RELEASE A water-soluble liquid or paste applied to inside of molds to ease removal of castings.
MULTIPLE POUR A casting technique using several layers or separate pours of resin. Each pour allows the addition of embedments. Many layers of embedments produce a floating or dimensional appearance.
MYLAR™ Trademark of DuPont for a polyester film or sheeting. Resin casts will not stick to MYLAR™ nor will the MYLAR™ leave marks on drying castings.
POLYPROPYLENE & POLYETHYLENE MOLDS Low-cost plastic molds which can be used repeatedly with casting resin and which require no mold release.
POT LIFE See ‘Working Time’.
RESIN CRAFT SURFACE COAT A multi-use clear acrylic, high-gloss resin spray used to cover fingerprints and imperfections on resin castings.
SINGLE POUR A casting where only one layer is made.
STYRENE An aromatic organic component of polyester resin. The odor associated with casting resin is the styrene.
SURFACE CURING AGENT An additive used in the final pour layer in addition to catalyst and casting resin to produce a hard tack-free surface.
TACK-FREE A surface which may be touched without sticking or leaving fingerprints. A ‘tacky’ surface would be like touching the sticky side of cellophane tape.
ULTRA-SEAL™ White vinyl resin glue and sealer. Brushed on fabric, photographs or wood, ULTRA-SEAL prevents ‘wet-out’. Four parts of white glue to one part of water may be substituted.
WORKING TIME The amount of time between the addition of catalyst to casting resin and ‘set-up’ of the resin; generally 15 to 25 minutes. |
