REMASOL® JUS-DIP™ – A CASE STUDY

Introduction

Jus-Dip is a pre-optimised suspended slurry system that doesn’t require constant agitation. It also offers a range of other benefits:

• Excellent wax adhesion
• Can be used as both a primary and backup
• Excellent slurry life
• Includes shell dryness indicator
• Performs perfectly under less than ideal environmental and processing conditions

Easy to use

This colloidal silica-based system has been pre-formulated, allowing you to dip directly into the drum. As the slurry is supplied pre-mixed, there is no time-consuming setup or any need to let the slurry stabilise. The drum simply needs to be stirred at the start of the day to make sure that the slurry remains optimised for dipping.

The slurry includes a wetting agent and an anti-foam that ensures that the slurry requires a relatively low level of technical equipment and knowledge. Jus-Dip also includes Remet® Sci-Dry™, this additive gives a visual guide as to when the shells are dry enough for the next coat.

When the dipping is complete simply cover the slurry up ready for the next use, this has no impact on the life of the slurry or the quality of the shells produced.

Picture courtesy of Carmarthen School of Art Sculpture Dept, Coleg Sir Gar

Jus-Dip in action

Jus-Dip was introduced to a School of Art, to address two issues:

1. The lack of space for shell infrastructure
2. The set-up and stabilisation time prior to use
3. To reduce exposure to refractory dust during slurry make-up

Lack of space

The school has a small shell room that has a rotating tank. This room can only be used by 1 group at a time. The ability to dip directly into a drum would allow the school to set up a second room as a shell room without the need to buy an additional slurry tank. Additionally, any suitable room could become a temporary shell room with just the additions of a drum of Jus-Dip.

Setup time

The setup and stabilisation of the slurry can be a time-consuming process and requires a level of technical knowledge. With Jus-Dip the setup requires the drum to be put in place, the lid removed and a slurry to be stirred prior to use. The slurry then only needs to be stirred before the first use of the day, once the slurry is finished with simply replace the lid. Dipping directly into the drum has the additional benefit that there is no tank to clean when you change slurries.

The setup

• The drum was setup in the corner studio
• The contents of the drum were mixed thoroughly to make sure that no part of the slurry had settled in transit.
• The studio had less than ideal drying conditions
• Jus-Dip was used as both the primary and backup
• The coats were:
  • Remasil® 50 30/60 x 2 coats
  • Remasil® 50 16/30 x 3 coats
  • Seal x 1 coat

   

In use

The slurry needed minimal setup time and was ready to use after a minute of stirring.

The students had a range of different wax pieces to shell, some dipped their pieces directly into the drum, while others used brushes to apply the slurry. The stucco was applied using a sieve then the items were left to dry, the Sci-Dry offers an easy visual guide as to when each layer was dried.

The students applied six coats across 3 days, before adding a seal coat. The shells were then left for 24 hours to fully dry before being fired. Dewaxing occurred over a steam bath and flash fire.

The results

The final shells showed good strength through the firing and de-waxing process.

The students and tutors were very happy with the final cast pieces and continue to use Jus-Dip in their studio.

Pictures courtesy of Carmarthen School of Art Sculpture Dept, Coleg Sir Gar