Vermiculite replies
Kevin Felton
Description
Collection
Title:
Vermiculite replies
Creator:
Kevin Felton
Date:
4/28/2000
Text:
Thanks to all those who responded to my inquiry. I am paraphrasing the
responses I received.
Several people asked what are the hazards of Vermiculite. The danger is not
with the Vermiculite itself, but in possible asbestos contamination. For
more information look at:
<URL Redacted>
The only alternatives I have heard of are these:
1) Corn Starch or Potato Starch can be used as an additive to plaster to
make is softer. However, we have had problems with the models molding. This
can be controlled by the addition of bleach.
2) Styrofoam beads. I have not tried this, but reportedly it works.
3) Urethane foam. There is a urethane foam product advertised to be used in
place of plaster for large models. The models come out much lighter and can
be modified with standard rasps and plaster build-ups.
4) Perlite is a product we are researching. However, I am not entirely
certain that this is not just another brand of Vermiculite.
If anyone knows of any other alternatives, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Kevin Felton, CO, LO
Education Coordinator, Orthotics Department
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
My original post was:
>Subject: Vermiculite alternatives
>Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 07:03:00 -0600
>
>Recent publicity about possible dangers of inhaling Vermiculite has led to
>an interest in alternatives. In our lab, Vermiculite is mixed with plaster
>to accomplish two goals:
>
>1) To provide a softer cured plaster. This is particularly useful in
>blending build ups into the surrounding positive model.
>
>2) To reduce the weight of large plaster models.
>
>What other materials are people using to accomplish these goals?
>
>Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Kevin Felton, CO, LO
>Education Coordinator, Orthotics Department
>Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
>
responses I received.
Several people asked what are the hazards of Vermiculite. The danger is not
with the Vermiculite itself, but in possible asbestos contamination. For
more information look at:
<URL Redacted>
The only alternatives I have heard of are these:
1) Corn Starch or Potato Starch can be used as an additive to plaster to
make is softer. However, we have had problems with the models molding. This
can be controlled by the addition of bleach.
2) Styrofoam beads. I have not tried this, but reportedly it works.
3) Urethane foam. There is a urethane foam product advertised to be used in
place of plaster for large models. The models come out much lighter and can
be modified with standard rasps and plaster build-ups.
4) Perlite is a product we are researching. However, I am not entirely
certain that this is not just another brand of Vermiculite.
If anyone knows of any other alternatives, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Kevin Felton, CO, LO
Education Coordinator, Orthotics Department
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
My original post was:
>Subject: Vermiculite alternatives
>Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 07:03:00 -0600
>
>Recent publicity about possible dangers of inhaling Vermiculite has led to
>an interest in alternatives. In our lab, Vermiculite is mixed with plaster
>to accomplish two goals:
>
>1) To provide a softer cured plaster. This is particularly useful in
>blending build ups into the surrounding positive model.
>
>2) To reduce the weight of large plaster models.
>
>What other materials are people using to accomplish these goals?
>
>Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Kevin Felton, CO, LO
>Education Coordinator, Orthotics Department
>Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
>
Citation
Kevin Felton, “Vermiculite replies,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/214270.
