What Is the Process of Bronze Casting?

For millennia, humans have memorialized battles, national accomplishments and historical figures in cast bronze. In recent years, technological advances made it possible for anyone to invest in their own bronze statue or signage. Bronze is a beautiful, long lasting metal that, when cared for properly, can last for centuries.

When you order a custom bronze plaque in Glendale, CA, you’re investing in a truly unique commemorative item. Custom bronze plaques and sculptures are unique pieces of art that allow you to showcase your creative side.

When a new sign, statue or monument is created out of bronze, it’s made through a process called casting. Bronze casting is an ancient yet ever-evolving art form. Most bronze sculptures are first created by an artisan out of clay or plaster of Paris. Once the original sculpture, sign or commemorative plaque is complete, the process of casting it in bronze begins in earnest.

Here are the basic steps associated with the bronze casting process:

• Mold creation: First, a soft rubber mold is created out around the bronze plaque or sculpture. The mold goes through several iterations, including several wax and rubber stages, before a dense ceramic mold is finally made. The dense ceramic mold must be heat treated and aged long enough to become solid and heat-resistant enough to hold superheated molten bronze.
• Pouring bronze: Once the mold is finished, the caster pours the bronze into the mold. Bronze is an alloy made of copper, lead, tin and zinc. Most bronze comes in the form of ingots, before it is melted down by the caster and poured into the mold. Once in the mold, molten bronze is capable of filling nearly infinite details, down to the shape and shallowness of a single human fingerprint.
• Mold removal: After the bronze is cooled, the caster chips away at the ceramic mold, removing it from the plaque or sculpture. After the mold is completely removed, the artisan will them blast the sculpture or plaque with air mixed with sand. This removes any residual ceramic dust or fragments that may have entered the crevices of the sculpture.
• Heat and acid treatments: Once the sculpture is clean, another artisan will begin heating the finished plaque with a blowtorch and spraying it with acid. The combination of acid and heat will cure the bronze and cause it to develop a patina. The artisan will develop the patina according to the wishes of the client or company ordering the finished product.

Since 1947, Saxton Bronze Architectural Signage has been the premier place to order a custom bronze plaque in Glendale, CA. We are proud to provide our clients with high-quality custom signage and commemorative objects that accentuate their individuality and allow them to display their accomplishments and memories in unique and creative ways. We offer a range of products, including custom awards, military commemorations, religious plaques, memorial urns and so much more. To learn about ways that we can help you commemorate an event, a loved one or an accomplishment, contact one of our friendly representatives today.

Categorised in: Custom Bronze Plaques

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