Plaster, Concrete, Or Plastic Resin

Plaster and other chemical setting materials such as concrete and plastic resin may be cast using
single-use waste molds, multiple-use 'piece' molds, or molds made of small rigid pieces or of
flexible material such as latex rubber (which is in turn supported by an exterior mold). When
casting plaster or concrete, the finished product is, unlike marble, unattractive, lacking in
transparency, and so it is usually painted, often in ways that give the appearance of metal or
stone. Alternatively, the first layers cast may contain colored sand so as to give an appearance of
stone. By casting concrete, rather than plaster, it is possible to create sculptures, fountains, or
seating for outdoor use. A simulation of high-quality marble may be made using certain
chemically-set plastic resins (for example epoxy or polyester) with powdered stone added for
coloration, often with multiple colors worked in. The latter is a common means of making
attractive washstands, washstand tops and shower stalls, with the skilled working of multiple
colors resulting in simulated staining patterns as is often found in natural marble or travertine.
Resin Casting
Resin casting is a method of plastic casting where a mold is filled with a liquid synthetic resin,
which then hardens. It is primarily used for small-scale production like industrial prototypes and
dentistry. It can be done by amateur hobbyists with little initial investment, and is used in the
production of collectible toys, models and figures, as well as small-scale jewelry production. The
synthetic resin for such processes is a monomer for making a plastic thermosetting polymer.
During the setting process, the liquid monomer polymerizes into the polymer, thereby hardening
into a solid.
Resin casting is used to produce collectible and customized toys and figures like designer toys,
garage kits and ball-jointed dolls, as well as scale models, either individual parts or entire models
of objects like trains, aircraft or ships. They are generally produced in small quantities, from the
tens to a few hundred copies, compared to injection-molded plastic figures which are produced
in many thousands. Resin casting is more labor intensive than injection molding, and the soft
molds used are worn down by each cast. The low initial investment cost of resin casting means
that individual hobbyists can produce small runs for their own use, such as customization, while
companies can use it to produce small runs for public sale.
Spin casting
Spin casting, also known as centrifugal rubber mold casting (CRMC), is a method of utilizing
centrifugal force to produce castings from a rubber mold. Typically, a disc-shaped mold is spun
along its central axis at a set speed. The casting material, usually molten metal or liquid
thermoset plastic is then poured in through an opening at the top-center of the mold. The filled
mold then continues to spin as the metal solidifies or the thermoset plastic sets.

The two defining characteristics of spin casting are semi-permanent (non-expendable) rubber
molds and the use of centrifugal force. These make the process relatively unique compared to
machined die-based and expendable mold casting methods. These qualities also encourage
operators to use casting materials specially formulated for low melting points and viscosities.
Most spin casting is done with pewter and zinc alloys or thermoset plastics.