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Author
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Topic: Space artifact acrylics: making and makers
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gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3412
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-18-2005 06:06 AM
   
I have a couple of pieces of Kapton foil that I want to encase in lucite. The problem is that the Kapton (1" sq.) has a tendency to curl up into a tube rather than stay flat. Does anyone know of a sure-fire way of making it stay flat which won't be damaged when the acrylic is poured? |
cfreeze79
Member Posts: 465
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-18-2005 09:58 AM
If I remember my casting class correctly, you should dip the Kapton in your liquid lucite before placing it in your main pour. In other words, get it evenly wet beforehand. If it still curls, tease it with a toothpick, but be careful not to introduce air bubbles. |
andthekids
Member Posts: 54
From: san clemente, ca, usa
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-22-2005 10:16 PM
Can you tell me how I can make my own castings? I found a place but the price is a bit much. |
cfreeze79
Member Posts: 465
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-22-2005 11:09 PM
The place to get all the supplies is Tap Plastics.Under "Casting Products," you want the "Clear-Lite" Casting Resin, the MEKP Catalyst, the molds, and the surface curing agent... Refer to the website for further details. |
andthekids
Member Posts: 54
From: san clemente, ca, usa
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-25-2005 10:50 PM
I am also looking to cast some Kapton. I searched and found articles regarding casting and they all pretty much read the same. |
cfreeze79
Member Posts: 465
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-26-2005 12:02 AM
This is one of those things that takes practice to master. I absolutely wouldn't make the first piece I try to embed a piece of Apollo 11 kapton! Start with, say, trying to embed a quarter, that work your way to more difficult or complex items. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1393
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 09-14-2008 01:37 PM
I am looking for information about the makers of the small acrylics that encapsulate items, like the ones for Liberty Bell 7 artifacts and Apollo 11 Kapton.Is it expensive? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4895
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-14-2008 07:16 PM
Shop around; having recently had a set of lucites produced I can tell you there is a wide disparity between what individual companies will charge for encapsulation. Cost is a function of the size of the encapsulated object, its porosity, quantity, setup fee, engraving. Most will want a test specimen to confirm the object can be safely embedded without cavitation. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1779
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 11-24-2009 05:22 PM
I have two artifacts that I'd like encased in lucite and thus far have contacted a company in Argyll in Scotland but their prices of £150 for the smaller item (130 high x 50mm diameter) and £330 (400 x 190 x 50mm) excluding VAT/shipping left me needing smelling salts! |
NightHawk117
Member Posts: 325
From: USA
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted 11-26-2009 08:39 AM
I contacted the seller of some custom made lucites on eBay and their reply was: I had them done by a Lucite Embedment Co. that has been in business for many years. You can email them to see if they can help you... some things don't embed well, but they have had a lot of experience. You can look up Lucite Embedment Companies on Google or Write to pgh@embeditinc.com. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1216
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-26-2009 09:42 AM
Interesting site for Em-Bed-It. I downloaded their catalog. Some great shapes and forms — and I see, on page 22, that they have experience with space items. The embedded Skylab tank material in those cut cylinder shapes. |
dwager
Member Posts: 90
From: Augusta, GA
Registered: Sep 2014
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posted 07-25-2021 10:07 AM
I have a small piece of Apollo 11 flown kapton foil I'd like to display in acrylic. Can someone point me in a good direction with individuals or companies that do this? Editor's note: Threads merged.
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