Knowhow-Now Article

Cold casting is a popular method to obtain decorative and artistic objects that resemble foundry-made metal objects, but minus the effort and large-scale infrastructure investment needed for forging.

Bronze powders come in a large variety. Depending on the objects to be gilded, artists may use standard bronzing powders or the water-based ones.

Urethane resins are often mixed with metallic powders and set in molds to obtain casts that appear as if made of solid metal. For this purpose, different metals such as bronze, gold, copper, brass, aluminum, and even combinations like nickel and silver are used in the form of powders. If the grade and quality of the metal powder used is high, the object will look like it has been cast solid out of hot metal.

The finish of the cast object will be dependent on the grade of the powder used, to a very large extent. Whether it has a smooth and pure metallic surface or not will also contribute to the appearance of a hot-metal foundry created object.

Why cold casts

Cold casts are lighter than foundry cast objects where hot molten metal is poured into a mold and cast. Cold casts are also a cheaper way of casting because there is rationing in the amount of actual metal used. As a result, an object made using, say bronzing powders mixed with resin and put through a process of cold casting will not be as sturdy or strong as one forged out of molten metal. Tools and other equipment such as hammers, etc. are forged and not cold cast.

Making a cold cast for a small object

To begin with, you need to choose good grade or high quality bronze or any other metallic powders. The powder is then mixed with binders such as a polyester resin or epoxy. If a small amount of metal is to be used, then the metal can be sprayed onto the mold to ensure a thin, uniform film all over. This is then filled up with sand, fiberglass, or calcium carbonate enough to give the final object the feel of a foundry-cast metal piece. Once set, the mold is removed and the surface of the object is burnished using mild abrasives to reveal the metallic finish. The burnishing removes any clinging debris from the binders and allows the metallic shine to come through. The grade of the metal used will decide the final outcome of the object. In bronze castings, fine grade bronze powders will give a close, authentic forged surface to the object.

About the Author:

Neuberg & Neuberg Importers Group, Inc., (NNI) is a respected global name in the gold industry. The company is associated with producing the Wunda Size, invented by Sam Neuberg, the Founder of Easy Leaf Products (a division of NNI). NNI is a member of the Society of Gilders and specializes in gold leaf(https://www.nnigroup.com/glandmp/default.aspx ), high grade and quality bronze powders(http://goo.gl/DUXnV ) and other metallic powders, adhesives and gilding tools, etc.

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