Foam Casting

Lesson: Foam Casting

·         Prepare your mold by brushing the mold release all over the surface(s) and let it dry. Make sure to brush around the opening you’ll be pouring into. Make sure to use the Ease Release 2831- the other mold releases will not work!!

·         The foam expands as it cures! The foam we are using expands 10:1. Check the bottle for this information as each foam expands differently.

·         Pour water into your mold to figure out the volume. Divide by 10, this is the total amount of foam you need. Divide by 2 to get the amount of Part A and Part B.

·         The polyurethane foam is quick curing, so work similar to the plastic. Pour part A, add any color, add Part B, mix and pour.

o   You can use any of the pure pigments for color (not the colores colors)

·         Tap the mold gently against the counter to help bring any bubbles to the surface.

·         Let cure. You can demold after 30min, but full cure takes 2 hours.

Safety: You must wear your respirator and gloves when working with this material. This can only be poured during class or hazmat open studio

The foam we are using (Smooth-On’s FOAM-iT! 5) is a relatively rigid foam, it does have some flex, but is not squishy flexible.

The foam surface is less porous when fully contained in the mold. If it rises out of the mold, it become a looser consistency.

Working with the castings:

·         You can drill and shape the foam with sandpapers and files. Make sure to clean your tools well before and after using them on foam.

·         Foam adheres to just about anything not treated with the 2831 mold release- this makes it very easy to attach foam castings to other surfaces or to each other with a little additional foam.

·         Test glues before using- some glues eat away the foam (cyanoacrylates do this).