Steel seems the most appropriate and realistic material for the design. If I am using steel then I need to look at where in the UK it is possible to galvanise steel and what are the specifications for this. This will ensure that the steel is corrosionand weather-proof for many years to come. I have looked at possible locations in the East Midlands.
Frank Hand (Galvanizers) Limited
Nottingham
Bath Size3.6m x 1.37m x 1.37m
Maximum Lift2 tonnes
Main Classes of WorkGeneral
Structural
Additional Facilities and Services
Grit blasting
Painting after galvanizing
T-Wash
Joseph Ash Galvanizing
Chesterfield
Bath Size15.3m x 1.7m x 2.65m
Maximum Lift8 tonnes
Main Classes of WorkGeneral
Structural
Tubular
Castings
Additional Facilities and Services
Centrifuge for spin galvanizing
Grit blasting
Painting after galvanizing
Zinc spraying
Worksop Galvanizing Limited
Worksop
Bath Size21.0m x 1.5m x 2.78m
Maximum Lift
16 tonnes
Main Classes of Work
General
Structural
Tubular
Castings
Wire work
Additional Facilities and Services
Centrifuge for spin galvanizing
Grit blasting
Painting after galvanizing
I need to keep in mind the size of the bath as the final piece will need to be able to fit into this space. I have also emailed each company requesting rough costings on galvanising.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Materials: A closer look
I have decided to look more closely at a few of the possible metals to help decide which material to use and to identify strengths, weaknesses and possibilities.
Bronze -
Bronze is an alloy of metal that is copper based with tin as the main additive. Some tins, though, can have phosphorus, manganese, aluminum, or silicon as the main alloying ingredient. Bronze is typically strong, tough, and corrosion resistant with high electrical and thermal conductivity. Bronze could be an interesting material to use however, bronze casting is very expensive to do and therefore is probably not a viable option for this project.
Galvanised Steel -
Galvanised steel is produced by coating steel in zinc. The properties of galvanised steel are a unique combination that make it ideal for car bodies, nuts and bolts, roofs etc. All galvanised steel has a matte-gray appearance however it is possible to get specific paint that can cover galvanised steel. Zinc coating applied by using electrogalvanising is the smoothist way and allows for a higher quality finish when painted. The steel must be formed before being gavanised however a small amount of work can be done afterward without the zinc starting to flake.Galvanised steel is as recyclable as other types of steel.
Copper -
Copper is the most efficient metal to conduct electricity and so is mainly found in electrical wiring, however it is becoming more commonly used to create sculpture. This is particularly since the colour range of different copper alloys is large, ranging from the salmon pink of copper through yellow, gold and green to dark bronze in the weathered condition. Copper weathers over time however it is corrosion resistant and ductility can be restored by annealing by a specific annealing process or by incidental annealing through welding or brazing procedures.
Lead -
The softest and heaviest of the common metals. It is very malleable and ductile, but has no elastic strength, and its tensile strength is so low that it cannot be drawn readily into fine wires. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. On account of its softness it can be readily squeezed through a press and thus shaped into rods or pipes.Bronze -
Bronze -
Bronze is an alloy of metal that is copper based with tin as the main additive. Some tins, though, can have phosphorus, manganese, aluminum, or silicon as the main alloying ingredient. Bronze is typically strong, tough, and corrosion resistant with high electrical and thermal conductivity. Bronze could be an interesting material to use however, bronze casting is very expensive to do and therefore is probably not a viable option for this project.
Galvanised Steel -
Galvanised steel is produced by coating steel in zinc. The properties of galvanised steel are a unique combination that make it ideal for car bodies, nuts and bolts, roofs etc. All galvanised steel has a matte-gray appearance however it is possible to get specific paint that can cover galvanised steel. Zinc coating applied by using electrogalvanising is the smoothist way and allows for a higher quality finish when painted. The steel must be formed before being gavanised however a small amount of work can be done afterward without the zinc starting to flake.Galvanised steel is as recyclable as other types of steel.
Copper -
Copper is the most efficient metal to conduct electricity and so is mainly found in electrical wiring, however it is becoming more commonly used to create sculpture. This is particularly since the colour range of different copper alloys is large, ranging from the salmon pink of copper through yellow, gold and green to dark bronze in the weathered condition. Copper weathers over time however it is corrosion resistant and ductility can be restored by annealing by a specific annealing process or by incidental annealing through welding or brazing procedures.
Lead -
The softest and heaviest of the common metals. It is very malleable and ductile, but has no elastic strength, and its tensile strength is so low that it cannot be drawn readily into fine wires. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. On account of its softness it can be readily squeezed through a press and thus shaped into rods or pipes.Bronze -
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Heathrow Olympic Sculptures
A sculpture in tribute to 21 year old rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones was revealed in Heathrow Terminal 5. It's plaque reads "This sculpture is dedicated to Francesca Jones, whose youth and talent embodies the Olympic spirit and the promise of a generation."
Made by Eleanor Cardozo from carbon fibre resin the piece along with 10 other pieces are now on display until September in Heathrow's Terminal 5. Alongside Eleanor's piece; artists including Paul Day, John Buckley, Hamish Black, Judy Boyt, Steve Dilworth, Jilly Sutton, Alan Dun and Suzie Zamit have pieces displayed. Each sculpture represents a different Olympic or Paralympic sports including life-size wire sculptures of Olympic diver Tom Daley, and sprinter Jason Gardener.
Materials - Initial Ideas/Thoughts
To ensure that the design lasts and weathers well the correct material must be used. I want to look at a range of possible materials to ensure that the final piece is workable and viable for the space and the school.
Metals -
Bronze tends to be the most used metal however, gold silver, aluminium, copper, brass, steel, lead, and iron are also used. Most metals are extremely strong, hard, and durable, with a tensile strength that gives a freedom to design compares to stone or wood. Metals can be worked in a variety of ways in order to produce sculpture. They can be cast, squeezed, hammered, bent, cut or welded.
Stone -
In the past stone has been the principal material for sculptures, this is due to most stone being resistant to the weather which means it is particularly suitable for external use. Most stone has a homogeneous texture and a hardness which make it ideal for carving.
Wood -
All woods can be used for sculpture as the structure of wood gives it considerable tensile strength. This strength allows it to be carved easily and a number of pieces of wood can be jointed together before carving if a larger piece is being produced. However, wood is primarily used for indoor sculpture, as changes of humidity and temperature can cause it to split, and it is often attacked by insects and fungus.
From these details it seems that metal is the most straight forward and long term way of producing a piece on-budget. I am interested in looking in more detail at possible metals and to get a rough idea of its possibilities, strengths and weaknesses.
Info found at: http://www.uv.es/EBRIT/macro/macro_5005_69_5.html
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