Cire Perdue and shell molding foundry. 

Cire Perdue

At our art foundry we manufacture sculptures according to the cire perdue (lost wax) method.

Cire perdue is a technique to cast metal objects. The wax used is usually casting wax or modelling wax. Briefly worded the process is as follows: a wax model gets casting and de-aeration channels, is embedded in a fire-resistant mass, after which the wax gets melted away and the cover dries. Subsequently liquid high-grade steel or metal gets poured into the recess that appeared. After cooling, the casting and de-aeration channels are cut off and a bronze cast remains. After removing the cast from the model it is finished by hammering or welding the holes closed, grinding down any projections and finally patinate it.

Shell Molding

Next to the Cire Perdue method, Gieterij Borcherts is also specialised in casting sculptures in moulding sand. With this method the model, in several segments, is covered by a sand mass that keeps it's form. This means that the cast encloses the model in a way that it doesn't clamp anywhere when the cap gets removed. This means that at least two caps are needed and often more.

Subsequently the model is taken scalped, after which the formed caps are covered by hand on the inside with a slice of wax of the right thickness.  The outside caps with the wax layer are fitted together and the inside is filled up with moulding sand or earth. Finally all parts are separated, the wax layer gets removed and the parts accurately put back together. Through the raked out channels, the casting and de-aeration holes, the liquid metal gets poured into the cast. After that cools down, a hollow bronze statue remains. To release this statue from it's cast, the cast needs to be shattered and therefore can only be used once.

With this method the last steps in finishing the statue are the same. After removing the cast from the model it is completed/finished by hammering or welding the holes closed, grinding down any projections and finally patinate it.

Conclusion

The possibilities are almost unlimited. From rubber casts up to a complete patinated cast work. Your creations are in good hands with our excellent specialists.

Casting weights up to 6000 kg a piece.

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