CERRO ALLOYS CASTING AT HOME

Home casting any metal that requires heating to it to a point that would to melt most lead alloys is extremely unsafe. Moisture is extremely hazardous to the process, and if moisture is introduced while casting occurs, the mold will explode, scattering molten metal in many directions.

Over the years CS Alloys has developed a group of “low melt alloys.” “Low melt alloys” are metal alloys that have melting temperatures that range between 117º F. and 440º F. Some of the melting temperatures for alloys within the family of metals that we have developed require less than the boiling temperature of water. This has had a significant impact on safety, and has made it possible for casting to occur at home on your kitchen table if you wish it to. That is because casting with Cerro Alloys is just as safe as boiling water.

Some alloys melt at a temperature that is too low to maintain a permanent casting. Cerrobend® and Cerrosafe® are excellent choices for casting parts. Cerrobend® is a popular solution for many due to its specific melting point. Alloys with higher melting points are usually stronger than those with lower melting points. Quenching the mold with water right after pouring is the best way to promote strength, but this is not always possible or practical. Such molds would need to be constructed from metal themselves and that type of mold would not likely be found in a home kitchen or workshop.

Depending on the shape of the part that you wish to cast, it is essential to choose the right mold that is made from the proper materials and in the proper method. A mold will need to be rigid enough to make the part strong and must also pull away from the casting when it is complete without causing any damage to the casting or to the mold itself.

The other choice is to use more flexible molds. Some are made from various plastic compounds, others from rubber or from silicone. In this case, a pattern is made and the mold material starts out liquid. Some rubber molds are set by baking them, which means that the pattern will need to be withstand a great deal of heat while the mold is curing. Dimensionally stable compounds are the best choice for mods. One example of such a compound is the type of rubber compound that a dentist used – they do not even need to be baked. The higher price may be discouraging to many though, and the materials also need to include a backing that is made from a hard setting plaster or plastic. When using this type of mold, you need to account for shrinkage.

You will not need to invest in expensive equipment in order to start casting with Cerro Alloys. All you need to begin is a hot plate, a ladle or a spoon, a double-boiler and a thermometer. After that you will need your mold and the right Cerro Alloy for the job and you’ll be ready to begin!