LIFECASTING IN ARTISTIC CASTING

The paper presents a study of the artistic casting production process starting from a living model. An attempt has been undertaken to develop a technology of creating a copy of human face and head using the materials applied in dental prosthetic. The development of a copying technique for human face and head has been preceded by preparing copies of simpler elements, namely hands and feet. The scope of investigation has included a modification of alginate impression material for the purpose of copying in accordance to the lifecasting method, preparation of an alginate-plaster mould from a living model, then making the plaster replica of the model and secondary silicone-plaster mould. The castings presented in the paper have been finally made of CuSn5Zn5Pb5 tin-zinc-lead bronze by investment casting method. The performed investigative and artistic work has confirmed the suitability of the 'Tropicalgin' material for making a replica of human face according to the lifecasting method. The obtained castings exhibit excellent surface quality despite multiply copying operations