Alginate Selection Advice - ArtMolds
ALGINATE SELECTION ADVICE
EnvironMolds' alginate products are the preferred choice of E F/X and life casting artists, taxidermists and prosthetics makers worldwide.
We offer two families of alginates. Our silica-free, food grade alginates provide the healthiest and greenest mold making material one can purchase anywhere. This family of alginate actually yields 25% more mixed impression material per pound making this type of alginate extremely economical, too. Silica-free alginate initially sets a bit softer than the traditional alginate formulas, but a two-three minute wait after gelling will provide the strength you expect. The second alginate formula family is the more traditional alginate formula which uses the more common clay filler for extra firmness. It has a quicker snap set and a more immediate alginate gel strength that you expect from traditional alginates.
Use the alginate table to select the alginate formula that is just right for your application. All of our alginates are skin-safe and hypoallergenic, too. For a great studio products you can use to adjust set times, bond alginate layers and dissolve alginate surfaces to apply fiber, use Algislo see Additives.
ALGINATE
SELECTION TABLE
|
Alginate Product |
Grade |
Set Time |
Best Use |
|
Hollywood Impressions® |
Dental |
2.5-3 min. |
Teeth, baby's hands, small parts |
|
MoldGel Regular Set® |
Prosthetic |
4-5 min. |
Taxidermy, hands, body parts |
|
MoldGel Slow Set® |
Prosthetic |
7-8 min. |
Larger body parts, torsos, heads |
|
FiberGel® |
E F/X |
5-6 min. |
Where strength and tear resistance are critical |
RECOMMENDED
QUANTITY TABLE
|
Body Part |
Amount |
Body Part |
Amount |
|
Baby hand or foot |
1/3-lb. |
Full Torso - front and back |
3-lb. |
|
Adult hand or foot |
1-lb. |
Arm to shoulder |
1-1/2-lb. |
|
Face without ears |
1-lb. |
Buttocks |
3/4-lb. |
|
Full head and shoulders |
2-2.5-lb. |
Intimate areas |
1/2-lb. |
|
Front torso |
1-1 1/2-lb. |
Full body |
15-lb. |
The above quantities are estimates only. If your alginate molding container is larger you will use more alginate. If your model is small or larger than average the alginate quantity will also vary.
If you are mixing large quantities of FiberGel alginate (1/2-lb. or more), you must employ a Jiffy Mixer. We also recommend the Jiffy Mixer for our other alginates if you are mixing 1/2-lb or more, too. Whatever proportion of our alginates to water you choose (FiberGel needs precise proportions for best application), it is advisable to mix the material very thoroughly until you achieve a smooth consistency. We generally use water temperatures of approx. 80-degrees, but you can use cooler water. The cooler the water the slower the set time. The warmer the water the faster the set time. Use 80-degree for model comfort.
Note: One pound of our alginate impression material will create a mix of approximately 24 cubic inches (8-inch cube).
CAUTION: Please watch your water quality, if mixed with hard water, all alginates will create a cottage cheese or oatmeal-like consistency. Hard water delays set time on in some cases will prevent alginates from setting altogether. Always test a small amount first before applying to your project to prevent failure due to excess minerals in your water. If you find a lumpy mix, then use distilled water. If you have well water without a water softener you can almost certainly count on a poor alginate mix
