Lost Wax Casting

The lost wax casting technique is a precise and time-honored method used to create bronze sculptures and other metal objects with exceptional detail. It has a long history, with some of the earliest known examples dating back over 6,000 years. The process involves creating a sacrificial wax model that is melted away and is replaced with molten bronze. 

STEPS OF THE LOST WAX CASTING PROCESS:

1. Modeling: The process begins with an artist creating a detailed model of the sculpture, often from wax, but sometimes from clay.
2. Mold Making: A flexible, rubber mold is created from the original model to make exact wax replicas.
3. Wax Casting: Molten wax is poured into the rubber mold to create a hollow wax version of the sculpture.
4. Gating: A network of wax rods, called sprues, is attached to the wax sculpture. These rods act as funnels and vents for the molten bronze to enter and for air and gas to escape.
5. Investment: The wax replica with its gating system is coated in a ceramic slurry, a liquid, heat-resistant material. This process is repeated several times to build up a thick, durable ceramic shell.
6. Burnout: The ceramic shell is placed in a kiln, where the wax inside is melted away and "lost." This leaves a hollow, negative cavity that is a precise replica of the original wax model.
7. Pouring: Molten bronze, heated to around 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, is poured into the hollow, ceramic shell.
8. Divesting and Finishing: After the bronze cools, the ceramic shell is carefully removed. The bronze sculpture is then cleaned, and any imperfections are filed or chased by hand.
9. Patina: A patina is applied to the surface of the bronze using heat and chemicals to color the metal and create a protective layer.
10. Sealing: A final coat of wax is applied and buffed to protect and seal the finished bronze sculpture. 

WHY DO ARTISTS USE LOST WAX CASTING?

Exceptional Detail and Precision: This method allows artists to capture fine details from the original model.

Durability: Bronze sculptures created using this technique are strong and long-lasting.

Artistic Integrity: The process accurately reproduces the artist's original work.