ARMADILLO CLAY AND SUPPLIES
  • HOME
  • Clay
    • Low-Fire (04-06)
    • Mid-Fire (5-6)
    • High-Fire (9-12)
    • Non-Fired Clay
    • Casting Slip
    • Bulk Pricing
  • Glazes
    • Underglazes
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
    • Low-Fire (04-06)
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
      • Duncan
      • Low-Fire Clear Glazes
    • Mid-Fire (5-6)
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
      • Duncan
      • Dry Dipping Glazes
      • Mid-Fire Clear Glaze
      • Reduction Results
    • Lusters (017-020)
  • Dry Materials
    • Chemicals
    • Plaster
    • Mason Stains
    • Bulk Pricing
  • Tools
  • Supplies
  • Equipment
    • Pottery Wheels
    • Ceramic Kilns
      • Parts
    • Kiln Furniture
    • Slabrollers
    • Extruders
    • Carts and Cabinets
    • Pugmills
  • Molds
    • GR Pottery Forms
    • Plaster Hump Molds
    • Sprig Molds
  • Bisqueware
  • Books
  • Glass
    • Sheet Glass
    • Glass Frit
    • Glass Accents
    • Tools and Supplies
    • GLASS KILNS
  • Services
    • Firing Services
    • Kiln and Wheel Repair
    • Custom Clay
    • Other Services
  • Gift Cards
  • ORDER INFO
  • LINKS
  • Classifieds
  • ARTICLES
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • ON SALE
  • HOME
  • Clay
    • Low-Fire (04-06)
    • Mid-Fire (5-6)
    • High-Fire (9-12)
    • Non-Fired Clay
    • Casting Slip
    • Bulk Pricing
  • Glazes
    • Underglazes
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
    • Low-Fire (04-06)
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
      • Duncan
      • Low-Fire Clear Glazes
    • Mid-Fire (5-6)
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
      • Duncan
      • Dry Dipping Glazes
      • Mid-Fire Clear Glaze
      • Reduction Results
    • Lusters (017-020)
  • Dry Materials
    • Chemicals
    • Plaster
    • Mason Stains
    • Bulk Pricing
  • Tools
  • Supplies
  • Equipment
    • Pottery Wheels
    • Ceramic Kilns
      • Parts
    • Kiln Furniture
    • Slabrollers
    • Extruders
    • Carts and Cabinets
    • Pugmills
  • Molds
    • GR Pottery Forms
    • Plaster Hump Molds
    • Sprig Molds
  • Bisqueware
  • Books
  • Glass
    • Sheet Glass
    • Glass Frit
    • Glass Accents
    • Tools and Supplies
    • GLASS KILNS
  • Services
    • Firing Services
    • Kiln and Wheel Repair
    • Custom Clay
    • Other Services
  • Gift Cards
  • ORDER INFO
  • LINKS
  • Classifieds
  • ARTICLES
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • ON SALE
  • Supplies
  • >
  • Mold-Making
  • >
  • Alja-Safe Alginate

Alja-Safe Alginate

SKU: ALJASAFE
$23.36
$23.36
Unavailable
per item

Safe to use Alja-Safe™ is the world’s first alginate that does not contain crystalline silica (a known carcinogen). Alja-Safe™ is perfect for making single-use molds of the face, hands and other body parts. It captures detail better than other alginates, giving you a more accurate reproduction of your original.

Certified Skin Safe - Material is skin safe and certified by an independent laboratory.


Pot life: 5 mins

Cure time: 8 mins

3 lb package

4 available
Add to Cart

Features

Alja-Safe™ is easy to use and cures quickly. It reproduces fine detail and makes an excellent temporary mold – good for one or two reproductions of any body part. You can then cast plaster, Matrix™ NEO™ (polymer modified gypsum) or Smooth-Cast™ 300Q ultra-fast urethane resin into the mold to make a reproduction.
For making re-usable molds of any body part, use Body Double™ silicone rubber.
IMPORTANT: This product has not been tested and should not be used for dental applications.
​

Starter Kit comes with:
  • 0.85 lb. of Alja-Safe™ Molding Gel
  • 2 lbs. Casting Plaster
  • Quick Start Guide

Instructions

Preparation - Store and use Alja-Safe™ in a dry environment at room temperature. Alja-Safe™ powder may get warm in storage/shipping during the summer months which will cause the powder/water mixture to set too fast. To remedy, store Alja-Safe™ in a cool area (60°C - 70°F or 15°C - 31°C) for 24 hours before using. Alja-Safe™ has a limited shelf life and should be used as soon as possible. Do not allow moisture to come into contact with unused Alja-Safe™. Use only with adequate ventilation.
Practice: Make a mold of your thumb – make a mold of something small before going on to larger models. You’ll gain a lot of experience with a small test.
​

Applying A Release Agent – Alja-Safe™ will not stick to most surfaces. When making a mold of the head, a release preparation is recommended to prevent mechanical lock to the hair. CHOLESTEROL Brand Hair Conditioner (available at most pharmacies) can be applied to hair-covered areas prior to applying Alja-Safe™. It can be washed out of the hair easily after use.
​
Measuring – Alja-Safe™ is mixed 1 part water to 1 part powder by volume (1 cup + 1 cup, for example). You can vary the water level somewhat to change consistency of the mixture. Less water will make Alja-Safe™ thicker. More water will make the mixture thinner and easier to pour. Be careful…too much water will may result in the mixture not curing.

Water Quality – Water that has a high mineral content (calcium, phosphate, etc.) may cause any alginate to become “lumpy” or not set properly. A small-scale test is recommended prior to mixing large amounts. If water quality is in question, use distilled water heated to the correct temperature using a stove top or microwave oven if needed. Check water temperature using a thermometer.

Temperature Of The Water - At 80° F / 27° C, Alja-Safe™ will have a working time of 5 minutes and a demold time of 8 minutes. Warmer water will cause the material to cure faster (less working time). Colder water will give a longer working time and slower demold time. For best results, sift Alja-Safe™ powder into water and mix as directed.

Mixing – Alja-Safe™ can be hand mixed, but best results will be obtained using a power drill with a mixer attachment. Attach a Jiffy Mixer or Turbine Mixer to a power drill and mix for one minute (depending on volume) to a gel-like consistency – smooth without any powder lumps. Jiffy mixers are available at many hardware stores. Turbine Mixers will yield the best mix and are available from Smooth-On or your Smooth-On distributor.
Alja-Safe™ can be poured around an object or applied to vertical surfaces.

Pouring Around An Object - Once mixed, Alja-Safe™ can be poured around the hand, foot, fingers or other model in a fixed position inside a container. Suspend the model just above the bottom of the container and have at least ½" (1.27 cm) space between the model and the side walls of the container.

For Best Results: Apply a thin coating of Alja-Safe™ to the surface of the model by smoothing a small amount of material on by hand. Pour Alja-Safe™ into the container at the lowest point and let the material rise around the model. Make sure your model has a good clearance distance from the bottom and sides of the container. Keep your model still until the Alja-Safe™ sets up. You will know the Alja Safe has set when it is firm and no longer gel-like.

For Vertical Application – You may want to experiment with the amount of water added to Alja-Safe™ to find a thicker consistency that is right for vertical surface application. For example, some customers mix 1 part water to 1.5 parts Alja-Safe™. Work Alja-Safe™ into model detail with your hands and let cure.

Applying A Support Shell - Once the alginate cures, a support shell will be necessary to support the alginate mold. "Gypsona" bandages are ideal for this purpose, and are available from Smooth-On or your Smooth-On distributor.

Casting Into The Mold - All alginate molds will deteriorate quickly. It is recommended that you cast into the mold within 4 hours following demold. Materials commonly cast into alginates include Matrix NEO (polymer modified gypsum, available from Smooth-On), plaster, wax, clay and very fast urethane resins (such as Smooth-Cast 300Q). For Soft "Skin-Like" Castings – You can cast Dragon Skin 10 FAST soft silicone rubber into Alja-Safe™ molds to make realistic hands, limbs, etc.

PRICES LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
For the most current pricing and product availability, please call us at (512)385-7311


Hours
Mon - Fri      9am - 5pm  
Saturday     9am - Noon

Armadillo Clay & Supplies

3307 E. 4th Street
Austin, TX 78702

P: (512)385-7311
F: (512)385-1152

Sign up for our
monthly newsletter!

SUBSCRIBE
  • HOME
  • Clay
    • Low-Fire (04-06)
    • Mid-Fire (5-6)
    • High-Fire (9-12)
    • Non-Fired Clay
    • Casting Slip
    • Bulk Pricing
  • Glazes
    • Underglazes
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
    • Low-Fire (04-06)
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
      • Duncan
      • Low-Fire Clear Glazes
    • Mid-Fire (5-6)
      • Browse by Color
      • Mayco
      • Amaco
      • Duncan
      • Dry Dipping Glazes
      • Mid-Fire Clear Glaze
      • Reduction Results
    • Lusters (017-020)
  • Dry Materials
    • Chemicals
    • Plaster
    • Mason Stains
    • Bulk Pricing
  • Tools
  • Supplies
  • Equipment
    • Pottery Wheels
    • Ceramic Kilns
      • Parts
    • Kiln Furniture
    • Slabrollers
    • Extruders
    • Carts and Cabinets
    • Pugmills
  • Molds
    • GR Pottery Forms
    • Plaster Hump Molds
    • Sprig Molds
  • Bisqueware
  • Books
  • Glass
    • Sheet Glass
    • Glass Frit
    • Glass Accents
    • Tools and Supplies
    • GLASS KILNS
  • Services
    • Firing Services
    • Kiln and Wheel Repair
    • Custom Clay
    • Other Services
  • Gift Cards
  • ORDER INFO
  • LINKS
  • Classifieds
  • ARTICLES
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • ON SALE