Lost-wax casting

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Lost-wax casting

Lost-wax casting, also known as investment casting, is an ancient metal casting technique in which a duplicate metal sculpture (often silver, gold, brass, or bronze) is cast from an original sculpture. Intricate works can be achieved by this method. The oldest known examples of this technique are approximately 6,000 years old and have been found in Israel.

Process

The process of lost-wax casting involves several steps:

1. Model Creation: An artist creates an original model from wax. This model can be sculpted directly in wax or made from another material and then covered in wax.
2. Mold Making: A mold is made around the wax model. This mold is typically made from a ceramic material.
3. Wax Removal: The mold is heated until the wax melts and drains away, leaving a hollow ceramic shell.
4. Metal Pouring: Molten metal is poured into the hollow shell.
5. 'Shell Removal: Once the metal has cooled and solidified, the ceramic shell is broken away to reveal the metal casting.
6. Finishing: The final metal piece is cleaned and polished. Any additional details or corrections are made at this stage.

History

Lost-wax casting has been used for thousands of years and has been found in cultures around the world, including Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The technique was also used extensively in Renaissance Europe.

Applications

Lost-wax casting is used for a variety of applications, including:

• Jewelry making
• Sculpture
• Industrial parts
• Dental restorations

Advantages

The lost-wax casting process offers several advantages:

• Ability to produce complex shapes
• High level of detail and accuracy
• Versatility in materials

Related Pages

• Metal casting
• Sculpture
• Jewelry
• Industrial processes
• Ancient Egypt
• Renaissance

See Also

• Investment casting
• Casting (metalworking)
• Bronze sculpture