Robert on thu 13 mar 08
Recent discovery (personal, experiential): At .01% to .05% by weight
lithium carbonate acts as an effective set accelerator for castable
mixtures. I get it that lithium sulphate and/or sodium aluminate are a
regular components of gunning castable mixtures. I can't speak to the
percentages for lithium sulphate or sodium aluminate but one is more
soluble and one more reactive. I'd rather handle the carbonate myself.
I'm sure there are some on the list could speak to the science and
chemistry involved but I've not had time to read into it. Been casting
kiln blocks, but in 20 - 40 (F) degree weather I was getting 12hr plus
demold times. Going a little slower than I'd hoped. With .03% by wt.
Lithium carbonate, converted to volume, I'm down to about 4 hrs.
The kiln is still taking a little longer than I'd hoped. The craft is
long and life is short.
Take care,
Robert
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