calcium aluminate & kastolite

[Fredi Vilina]

A couple of quick questions- having some fresh calcium aluminate around and have some more casting to do, does it hurt to add it to new kastolite 30? What it a good curing schedule for kastolite 30. Like how many day kept moist under plastic? then how long just sitting around the studio and how long with the 100watt light bulb? What should a good curing job look/feel like? and lastly; how much strength if any does firing do? The reason for most of the questions is that I did cast some old k30 and added the calcium and it looks great and started setting up after a few hours but I wonder if I fire it will it just turn to dust?

[Steve Stadelman]

Don't add it to new product. Leave it in molds and under plastic for two days, on new furnaces we ramp up at 33 degrees per hour and it works great. You can actually go pretty fast with Kast-o-lite. Up to like 50 or 60 dph up to 6-8" thick.

The old stuff you cast will probably be fine.

[Pete VanderLaan]

I only add it to old stuff, or once I added it to a 99% alumina castable which I wanted to cut back to a 95%. It set in about a half hour. It too has a shelf life so keep it tightly sealed.