STEP 8: Creating the Ceramic Mold

The finished gating system, also called the “tree”, is now invested in a ceramic shell that is crafted by dipping the “tree” into a batter-like slurry material and coating with silica sand. These coatings are repeated 8 to 10 times and are dried between each layer. This creates a hard ceramic shell on both the inside and outside of the hollow wax image.