Texas Trends in Art Education, Spring 1967 Page: 15
50 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Sculpture Casting in the High School
JIM HENDERSON and LES LAWRENCEThe discovery of new materials and media is
slowly changing the concept and curriculum of
the high school art program. The recent develop-
ment of styrofoam and expanded polystyrene (both
of which are approximately 2-5'; plastic and the
balance air) has led to the Foam Vaporization Pro-
cess of sculpture casting. Styrocasting, as it has
been called, circumvents most of the complication
of the traditional lost wax process and the sand
cast process. The student is, therefore, provided
the opportunity to work with the sculpture media
within its limitations.
Previously thought too complicated, too expen-
sive, too dangerous, this concept provides the high
school curriculum with a new area of study for
the classroom environment. For use within this
environment, several small melting and casting
facilities have been constructed for less than $100.
This includes the furnace, crucible, pouring acces-
sories and safety equipment.
Because aluminum has a light weight, a non-
toxic melt and a relatively low melting point,
styrocasting is no more hazardous than wax melt-ing for batik dyeing or lead casting. Even with
its relative safety and simplifications, it is not a
project for the uninformed teacher, or every stu-
dent. But rather for the teacher who is willing to
study the process in order to join the teacher whose
training is adequate to understand and teach it
successfully.
The Foam Vaporization Process is, therefore, a
way of upgrading the high school sculpture pro-
gram, of quelling the cries of "Mickey Mouse,"
and of equipping the artist-teacher with a new,
exciting, significant experience for both the stu-
dent and the artist-teacher.
EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS
I. Equipment
A. Melt Furnace
B. Casting Accessories
1. Lift Tongs
2. Pouring Shank
3. Silicon Carbide Crucible
C. Safety Equipment
1. Gloves
2. Eye Glasses
3. Apron
4. Boots
II. Process
A. Light furnace approximately 20 minutes in
advance of pouring time.
B. Pack styrofoam modeling in sand-a good
packing job is the key to a successful cast-
ing.
C. Attach pouring sprue and build pouring
cup.
D. Ventilate sand with small iron rod.
E. Cut off sprue even with bottom of pouring
cup to eliminate unnecessary fire and
smoke.
F. Lift the lid off the furnace.
G. Remove Crucible from furnace with lift
tongs.
H. Set crucible in pouring shank.
I. Pour molten metal into pouring cup, keep-
ing cup full at all times.
J. Pour excess metal into ingot molds for use
at later date.
(Continued on Page 17)TEXAS TRENDS IN ART EDUCATION
page 15
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Texas Art Education Association. Texas Trends in Art Education, Spring 1967, periodical, Spring 1967; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth279663/m1/17/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Art Education Association.