GLOSSARY
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Acid Bath - A term used in heat treating and tempering of steel.
Acrylic - A thermoplastic resin, created by mixing proportionate parts of plastic components together, used for cast and molded parts; can be clear or colored.
Adalox Paper - Trade name of Norton Co. Grit paper of Carborundum ranging in mesh from 220 to 1200 used for sanding and finishing. The higher the number, the finer the grit.
Adz - Type of double-sided swing tool used to reduce large geometric areas from logs.
Aging - The process wherein a molecular change occurs with a moist or oil-base clay causing a physical reaction to the nature of the material.
Air Floated - A process that eliminates foreign particles from a clay body, making it pure or refined.
Alabaster - A gypsum stone indigenous to Spain, Italy, and the Northwest United States. It can be opaque, translucent, colored, or banded; a dense calcite. A medium-grade carving stone.
Alcohol - Colorless flammable liquid used as a thinning agent or solvent; used to thin or remove shellac from a model.
Alcohol Lamp - Used to heat modeling tools for wax detailing; alcohol fueled with wick or possible spout for flame direction.
Alginate - A derivative of marine algae used in mold making and casting; used for small flat items only because of its tendency to tear or rip.
Alloy - Metal compounds fused together when molten to form bronze for casting. Different component parts will result in different types of bronze.
Almaloy Wire – Also known as aluminum wire. Pliable aluminum wire used for internal support of sculptures; in gauges ranging from 1/16 inches to 3/8 inches.
Aluminum - Malleable light silver-colored metal that resists oxidation (discoloration such as patina).
Amorphous - Having no defined shape or form such as free form sculpture.
Anatomical - Structural make-up of human or animal body parts.
Anneal - To heat and cool steel so that the metal is not brittle.
Apron - Generally cotton, duck, canvas or leather used for protection against clay, plaster and dirt in the classroom or studio.
Arch - To form or bend into a desired shape as in architecture.
Argillaceous - Containing clay or clay minerals.
Arc Welding - Molding steel or metal with electrical current.
Arkansas Stone - Sharpening stone used to hone wood and stone carving tools
Armature - An internal support to hold the outer covering of a sculpture; may be made of various materials such as wood, wax, steel, but generally almaloy or aluminum wire.
Armature Wire – See Almaloy Wire.
Art Plaster - Trade name of U.S. Gypsum Co. A gypsum material with an extremely high absorption rate primarily used in ceramic slip casting molds.
Artware - Trade name of Sculpture House Inc.; a low-fire ceramic moist clay that vitrifies at Cone 04.
Atelier - Studio or workshop, usually of an artist, derived from French.
Autoclave – Apparatus in which using superheated steam under extreme pressure for purification purposes.
Aventurine - A type of translucent quartz with traces of mica throughout.