Aaron, Since I do not understand your situation, I am not sure this will be helpful. I like Paul's suggestion, if you are able to modify the sand content. There are things you could mix with the sand that would harden after the impression, making it cast-able. If not, your choices will be limited. If the purpose of choosing a water-based solution is so that it can be easily reversible afterwards, water-based solutions will probably always disrupt the sand by way of the chemical nature of the water (surface tension, etc). I suggest using a consolidant that is soluble in both water and other solvents. For instance, Aquazol is soluble in a variety of solvents as well as water, so that you could spray-apply the consolidant dissolved perhaps in acetone, and then let the weather wash away the consolidant afterwards. You would have to experiment to see which solvent would disrupt the sand the least (probably the least polar). You would also have to consolidate to a great enough depth (probably by repeated misting to harden the surface, followed by saturation?), otherwise the skin of hardened sand will continue to stick to the casting...just more of it! If you don't need the hardened sand to be water-soluble afterwards, there are other consolidants that can be used in non-polar solvents (such as Acryloid B-67 in Naphtha) that might penetrate the sand without causing disruption. Another possibility would be to use a separating layer of some kind. I wonder if cyclododecane in solution could be atomized to lay down a thin layer without disturbing the sand? This then could act as a thin, rigid barrier which could be volatilized off the cast along with the adhering sand later. I am pretty sure molten cyclododecane would destroy the impression you seek to cast. Of course you will lose the sandy texture that way, but not sure this is important? Just random thoughts concerning your query without comprehending any of the parameters! Linda R
Linda S. Roundhill Art and Antiquities Conservation, LLC www.conservation-arts.com 425-481-0720 -----Original Message- Message: 8 Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2019 15:57:14 -0500 From: "Aaron G. Beebe" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [Consdistlist] Consolidating Sand Message-ID: <camnb1r_sxpzdsdjd+z85kzmfqxcsh+y-wwcu1yuae+n2atf...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Hi List. Longtime lurker, first time poster here. I'm working on a project for a robotics research team that involves taking casts from patterns in a bed of sand. We've been experimenting with methods for preserving and stabilizing the surface layer of the sand so that it doesn't adhere to the cast, but we haven't found one that does the job without disrupting the sand. Does anyone have experience with a (preferably water-based) surface treatment and/or method for consolidating a sandy surface? Looking forward to a rich discussion about this! Thanks. -- Aaron G. Beebe aaronbeebe.net ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
