Crafts There are several different types of molds for ceramic use, among them solid-casting molds, drain molds, press molds and sprig molds.

Solid-casting molds are molds of 2 or more sections which produce solid pieces, such as plates and bowls. After being filled with casting slip, solid-casting molds are allowed to stand until the cavity is filled with clay and no liquid slip remains.

Hollow ware is cast in drain molds, by pouring out the slip remaining in them immediately after walls of sufficient thickness have formed on their interior surfaces.

Press molds usually consist of two pieces, each one having a relatively shallow impression of the item to be reproduced, surrounded by a trough into which any excess clay will be squeezed. Soft clay is placed into the impression in one half of the mold, then the other half is placed over it and the two squeezed or pressed tightly together. Press molds are most often used for jewelry, small ornaments, knobs and handles.

Sprig molds are one-piece molds with shallow impressions, from which flat-backed, shallow castings are produced when a piece of clay is forced into the impression. The process of attaching the items from these molds to greenware is called "sprigging." The raised decoration on the familiar Wedgwood pieces are formed in sprig molds.




Page 1 2
Home > Crafts > Ceramics > Types Of Molds

May 19, 2012