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While this can be done at home with very little equipment, it is advisable to have it done by a commercial form. They do it very cheaply and much more efficiently. Electroplating is only used on expensive replicas and is not advisable for a start.

Design:
The number and variety of articles that can be made from Sulpho-Plastic is practically unlimited and to make a complete list would be impossible. Though any article of reasonable size and simplicity of design such as lams, vases, plaques, brooches, desk-sets, toys, paper weights, etc., may be cast by using an original article for a pattern or model. Or an original design may be patterned in clay and used to make a mold. It is advisable for the beginner to choose a simple article to start with, preferably solid, such as book-ends or paper weights.

Molds:
Molds may be made of metal or plaster of paris. Metal models require a great deal of skill and equipment to produce. Therefore for the beginner, it is advisable to use plaster of paris.

To make a plaster of paris mold. First obtain a box, wood or cardboard, about an inch larger than the article to be cast. Coat the inside of the box very thoroughly, yet thinly with stearine or sweet oil. Use this also on the article to be cast. This acts as a lubricant and the
plaster of paris will not cement itself to either the box or the article, if the oil is evenly distributed. Next make a thick, creamy mixture of plaster of paris by sifting the plaster gradually into the water, stirring constantly to prevent lumping. Let this stand for a few minutes to allow the air bubbles to escape. Pour mixture slowly over pattern in the box to about double the thickness of the pattern. Allow several hours to dry, then remove. when the mold is thoroughly dry, give it a thin coat of shellac and repeat in 12 hours. Now the mold is ready to use.

Molding:
First always make sure that you have lubricated your mold with stearine or beeswax. Place molds on a reasonably level surface and pour the Sulpho-Plastic into the mold, quickly and smoothly. Do not pour from a height as this will break the lubricant and leave blemishes on the castings. Plastic must be poured quickly to prevent cooling in folds and thus making a poor casting. One of the big assets of Sulpho-Plastic is the fact that is dries and hardens almost immediately. There is no long wait for the casting to dry.

Sources of Supplies:
Graphite and Sulphur can be obtained from most any hardware or paint store. Also plaster of paris. Stearine, beeswax, sweet oil can be purchased from most drug or grocery stores.

Formula:

Foam density lbs./cu.ft. 11/2 8 24 48
Polylite 8601 50. 50. 50. 50.
Catalyst RI 1.3 0.65 0.65 0.65
Water 3.7 0.4 0.1 0.0
Polylite 8621 100. 50. 48.5 47
(polylite 8601 is a polyseter) (polylite 8621 is a polyiscyanate)

Method:

In order to prepare a foam of given density, thoroughly mix Polylite 8601 with the necessary amount of catalyst RI and water. This mixture is stable when foam is required. Add the necessary amount of Polylite 8621. Mix thoroughly for 25 to 30 seconds and then pour. Do this right after mixing foams per instructions above. The foam will fully expand within 3 to 5 minutes and set within 5 to 7 minutes into a rigid unicullar structure.

Available mixing time can be extended by moderately chilling the catalyzed resin and the Polysicyanate. It will attain nearly maximum physical properties upon standing a few hours at room temperature and ultimate strength in about one week. Surface brittleness may be evident with some formulations after initial set. This brittleness disappears upon further curing, leaving a tough non-friable foam. Curing can be accelerated with moderate heat up to 100 degrees F, after the foam has set if desired.

Sources of Supplies:
Polylite 8601, Polylite 8621 and Catalyst RI can all be obtained from: Reichold Chemicals Inc. 525 N. Broadway, White Plains, NY 10602

Please share your electroplating experiences and projects with your HealthSufficiency family and friends. 

Lee Porter an author and entrepreneur for HealthSufficiency, a continuing health, personal development and life dynamic education and business development company helping people to be meet their potential to lead healthy, prosperous and successful lives.

Tags: Electoplating, molds, sulpho-plastic