Need attention: alternate pressing and drying, (press overnight, let dry through the day for example, or leave to dry on a roster). Leave it to dry as long as is feasible with lots of airflow.
Need attention: every 12 hours, alternate pressing and drying, (press overnight, let dry through the day for example, or leave to dry on a roster). Leave it to dry as long as is feasible with lots of airflow.
Final form achieved after: 10 days
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@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Final form achieved after: 10 days
***Gelatine powder - 48 gr**
* Functions as the polymeer (so it becomes a solid)
***Glycerine - 48 gr**
* Functions as plasticizer that bonds with the gelatine (makes it flexible). This recipe has a bit more glycerine to make the foil less rigid. It doesn't have the "crackling" sound as a result.
* Functions as plasticizer that bonds with the gelatine (makes it flexible).
***Water - 240 ml/gr**
* To dissolve and mix the polymeer and plasticizer
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@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@ Final form achieved after: 10 days
1.**Cooker or stove** (optional: temperature controlled)
1.**Pot**
1.**Scale**
1.**Moulds** (ideally with removeable base to increase airflow). I have modular silicone walls with metal wire inside them that allow me to cast and then turn the moulds on their side for more airflow and drying from top and bottom. I use a silicone or acrylic sheet with these mould walls.
1.**Moulds** (I use a modular mold from laser cut 3 mm acrylic sheets here that are held together with screws)
1.**Spoon**
## Yield before processing/drying/curing
Approx. 300 ml (make sure to evaporate a lot of water during cooking time)
Approx. 250 ml (make sure to evaporate enough water during cooking time)
## Method
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@@ -62,28 +62,24 @@ Approx. 300 ml (make sure to evaporate a lot of water during cooking time)
1.**Cooking the ingredients**
- Simmer and slowly stir the mixture between 60-80 degrees celcius for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour. Turn it lower when bubbles appear: you don't want the liquid to move, don't boil it. This sample has some bubbles due to vigorous mixing.
- Longer cooking time allows more water to evaporate. You will get a thicker liquid. To cast larger volumes and solids with this recipe, evaporate a lot of water, until it's very thick.
- Simmer and slowly stir the mixture between 60-80 degrees celcius for 20-25 minutes until it's like a syrup.
- Longer cooking time allows more water to evaporate and as a result it will shrink less during drying. Make sure it's still liquid enought to pour.
1.**Casting**
- Let the liquid cool for a couple minutes until it gels a little but is still liquid and pourable.
- Cast into the mould slowly to avoid bubbles
- Pour from the middle and hold still, let the liquid distribute itself.
- Put the mould away to dry in a cool place with lots of air flow (like near an open window). A warmer place might speed up the drying process but also allow bacteria to grow faster and can result in fungal growth.
- If the mould has a removable base, remove it after 4-8 hours and put the mould on its side to allow air flow from both sides.
- When using a flexible mould: let it dry without releasing to keep the form as much as possible. The resin will likely shrink and release itself from the mold. If it feels cold to the touch it is still drying. If you are using a rigid mold: release after 4-8 hours and dry flat.
### Drying/curing/growth process
- Mold depth: 7 cm (filled up until 2.5cm high)
- Mold depth: 3 x 3mm layers
- Shrinkage thickness: 20-30 %
- Shrinkage width/length: 20-30 %
- Shrinkage width/length: 10-20 %
**Shrinkage and deformation control**
Letting it dry up to ten days to get to the final form. It will be flexible at first but will slowly harden until its totally rigid.
Letting it dry up to ten days to get to the final form. It will be very flexible at first but will slowly harden. Tends to curl up if it is not pressed down during drying (the design of this mold allows for airflow even when pressed). Laying it on a smooth surface helps to keep it flat, it "sucks" onto the surface.
**Curing agents and release agents**
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@@ -91,7 +87,7 @@ None.
**Minimum wait time before releasing from mold**
Using a silicone mold: 7 days (or until it comes undone)
3 days
**Post-processing**
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@@ -99,20 +95,16 @@ Store in a dry and ventilated room.
**Further research needed on drying/curing/growth?**
Casting larger volumes without growing fungus/mold, and limited warping can be challenging. Fillers like debris or egg shells can help. More research can be done on ideal conditions for drying larger volumes.
The resin does not cure evenly across the surface, some might be negotiated by shaving off some slides while it is still relatively soft and flexible.
Casting larger volumes without growing fungus/mold, and limited warping can be challenging. Further research is advised.
### Process
*Evaporating water until the liquid is thick like honey, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Preparing molds for small half domes (egg cups), and a big slab (silicone mould and separate base), Loes Bogers, 2020*
*preparing the mold, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Casting the resin (I had to put a weight on top to press the mold into the base and prevent leakage, Loes Bogers, 2020*
