MOULDING CASTING MATERIALS
From ancient times in Syria 6500BC through to Egyptian, Greek and the Roman Period moulds have been used to cast Bronze, Plaster and Concrete artefacts. The Pantheon and Coliseum in Rome are good examples of large concrete construction – still standing today.
Through the Renaissance period up to the 19th Century Plaster containing Gypsum, Lime or Cement was used for Ornate statutory. Complex moulds were made from Plaster, Timber and Terracotta in sectional pieces creating intricate replicas of original stone or marble masterpieces.
Wonderful Plaster examples are on show at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London where famously a life size copy of the original David by Michelangelo is situated.
From this period through to the present times concrete has been moulded using timber, steel and moulded latex moulds. Now most modern moulding materials are made from petrochemical based thermoplastics and Elastomers. Either vacuum formed, injection moulded and blow moulded using a variety of plastics – ABS, PP, HDPE, PVC, PC and so on, where detailed under cuts or ornate mouldings are required. Casting Elastomers used are made from Polyurethanes, Silicones and Epoxy Resins in a variety of shore hardness. Shore A 10-90 and Shore D for rigid systems.
We at Numold are at the cutting edge of moulding and casting methods using the right material for the right project. This has been proven by our 40 years’ experience in making moulds for the Concrete and Construction Industry.