The Lost-Wax Casting Process

This is a complex process that requires a foundry and professional equipment.

Step # Action Description
1 Create the original model. Usually made of clay, wax, or plaster.
2 Make a mold of the model. A rubber mold is created to capture the detail.
3 Create a wax pattern. Molten wax is poured into the rubber mold.
4 Chase the wax. The wax pattern is refined and details are added.
5 Spruing. Wax rods (sprues) are added to the pattern to allow metal to flow in and gases to escape.
6 Investment. The wax pattern is dipped in a ceramic slurry to create a shell.
7 Burnout. The ceramic shell is fired in a kiln, which hardens the shell and melts out the wax.
8 Casting. Molten bronze is poured into the hollow ceramic shell.
9 Devesting. The ceramic shell is broken away from the cooled bronze.
10 Metal Chasing and Finishing. The sprues are cut off and the metal is cleaned, sanded, and polished.
11 Patination. Chemicals are applied to the surface to colour the bronze.