Flasking Stone vs Mounting Stone: Why Garreco Makes Both
Flasking stone vs mounting stone is a question of job, not quality: flasking stone is built to invest, boil out and divest dentures, while mounting stone is built to attach models to an articulator fast with very little expansion. Garreco makes a dedicated Type III stone for each, and Chase Dental Supply carries both in 25 lb and 50 lb boxes.
Here is what each stone does, how their published specs compare, and when plaster or an all purpose stone can stand in.
Quick Answer
Garreco Flasking Stone is a moderate strength, low expansion Type III stone for denture flasking, with rapid heat transfer during boil out and quick divesting (15 to 18 minute set, 6,500 psi). Garreco Mounting Stone is a high strength, fast setting Type III articulating stone (3 to 5 minute set, 9,000 psi, 0.09% expansion). Use flasking stone in the flask and mounting stone on the articulator.
Key Takeaways
- Flasking Stone is formulated for denture flasking: rapid heat transfer during boil out, strength during packing and easy divesting.
- Mounting Stone is a fast setting, low expansion articulating stone originally developed for implant cases.
- Mounting Stone sets in 3 to 5 minutes with 0.09% expansion; Flasking Stone sets in 15 to 18 minutes with 0.12% expansion.
- Flasking Stone mixes slightly thinner (35 ml per 100 g) than Mounting Stone (30 ml per 100 g).
- Garreco Dental Plaster is a Type II alternative designed for both articulating and flasking.
What is flasking stone?
Flasking stone is the gypsum used to invest a waxed denture in a flask so the wax can be boiled out and replaced with acrylic. It needs to tolerate heat, hold its shape under packing pressure and then break away cleanly.
Garreco Flasking Stone is a moderate strength, low expansion Type III stone formulated for denture flasking procedures. Garreco says it allows rapid heat transfer during boil out while maintaining optimum strength during packing, and that it divests quickly and easily.
- Setting time: 15 to 18 minutes
- Water to powder ratio: 35 ml to 100 g
- Compressive strength: 6,500 psi
- Expansion: 0.12%
- Colors: buff, white
The moderate strength is intentional. A flasking stone that is too hard makes divesting slow and raises the risk of damaging the processed denture. The longer set also gives you time to seat the case and fill the flask in layers.
If you are setting up or updating a denture processing bench, our Meta Dental guide to denture flasks and flask presses covers the hardware side.
What is mounting stone?
Mounting stone is the gypsum used to attach upper and lower models to an articulator. It needs to set quickly and expand as little as possible so the recorded jaw relationship stays accurate.
Garreco Mounting Stone is a high strength, fast setting, low expansion Type III articulating stone. Garreco originally developed it for implant cases where a low expansion articulating material is desired, and many professionals also use it as a rapid setting material for denture models and crown and bridge bases.
- Setting time: 3 to 5 minutes
- Water to powder ratio: 30 ml to 100 g
- Compressive strength: 9,000 psi
- Expansion: 0.09%
- Colors: white, grey
The short set means less time holding models in position and more mountings per hour. For help choosing the articulator itself, see our Hanau and Whip Mix articulator buyer’s guide.
Stock the right stone for each step
Chase Dental Supply carries Garreco Flasking Stone and Mounting Stone in 25 lb and 50 lb boxes, plus Garreco Dental Plaster in three set speeds.
Flasking stone vs mounting stone: what is the difference?
Flasking stone trades some strength for heat transfer and easy divesting, while mounting stone trades working time for speed and minimal expansion. The table shows Garreco’s published specs for both, plus the plaster and all purpose stone often used in their place.
| Product | Type | Setting time | Water/powder | Strength | Expansion | Designed for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garreco Flasking Stone | Type III | 15 to 18 min | 35 ml:100 g | 6,500 psi | 0.12% | Denture flasking, boil out, divesting |
| Garreco Mounting Stone | Type III | 3 to 5 min | 30 ml:100 g | 9,000 psi | 0.09% | Articulating, implant cases, rapid models |
| Garreco Dental Plaster | Type II | 9 to 11, 13 to 15, or 17 to 19 min | 45 ml:100 g | 3,500 psi | 0.19% | Articulating and flasking |
| Garreco Tecstone | Type III | 13 to 15 min | 30 ml:100 g | 9,000 psi | 0.12% | Models, flasking, crown and bridge bases |
Using one material for both jobs is possible, but each specialty stone removes a compromise. A fast mounting stone in a flask would set before you finished investing, and a softer flasking stone on an articulator would give up strength and expansion control.
Why does Garreco make both?
Garreco makes both because flasking and mounting ask opposite things of gypsum. One needs time, heat tolerance and easy removal; the other needs speed, strength and dimensional stability.
Labs that do both denture and implant or crown and bridge work benefit most from stocking both. Color helps too: buff or white Flasking Stone and white or grey Mounting Stone keep the two easy to tell apart on a busy bench.
When should you use plaster or Tecstone instead?
Use plaster when economy and easy removal matter most, and use Tecstone or Fastone when you want one stone that covers models and flasking. Both are reasonable alternatives depending on case mix.
Garreco Dental Plaster is a Type II plaster designed specifically for articulating and flasking. It mixes smoothly at 45 ml per 100 g and comes in slow (17 to 19 minutes), regular (13 to 15 minutes) and fast (9 to 11 minutes) sets. At 3,500 psi and 0.19% expansion it is softer and expands more than either specialty stone, which is fine for many routine cases.
Garreco Tecstone and Garreco Fastone both list flasking among their recommended uses, along with denture models and crown and bridge bases. Smaller labs that want fewer SKUs often flask in Tecstone and mount in plaster or Mounting Stone. If you also pour study models, Garreco Labstone rounds out the shelf.
For a full breakdown of plaster, stone and die stone classifications, read Dental Stone Types Explained. To see every brand we carry for lab and office work, visit the dental lab and office supply brands guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between flasking stone and mounting stone?
Flasking stone is formulated to invest dentures in a flask, transfer heat during boil out, hold up during packing and divest easily. Mounting stone is formulated to attach models to an articulator quickly with minimal expansion. Garreco Flasking Stone sets in 15 to 18 minutes at 6,500 psi, while Garreco Mounting Stone sets in 3 to 5 minutes at 9,000 psi with 0.09% expansion.
Why is low expansion important in mounting stone?
Any expansion in the mounting material can shift the relationship between the upper and lower models on the articulator. A low expansion stone helps preserve the recorded bite. Garreco Mounting Stone was originally developed for implant cases where a low expansion articulating material is desired, and it is listed at 0.09% expansion.
Can I use plaster for flasking and mounting instead?
Yes. Garreco Dental Plaster is a Type II plaster designed for articulating and flasking procedures and comes in slow, regular and fast sets. It is softer than stone, listed at 3,500 psi with 0.19% expansion, so labs often choose it where easy removal and economy matter more than strength.
Can Tecstone or Fastone be used for flasking?
Yes. Garreco lists flasking among the recommended uses for both Tecstone and Fastone. Garreco Flasking Stone is the more specialized option because it is formulated for rapid heat transfer during boil out and quick divesting.
What sizes do Garreco Flasking Stone and Mounting Stone come in?
Both are available in 25 lb and 50 lb sizes at Chase Dental Supply. Flasking Stone comes in buff or white, and Mounting Stone comes in white or grey.
Related Guides
Flasking stone vs mounting stone is not an either or choice for most labs. Each one does its own step better, and both come in the same 25 lb and 50 lb boxes. Shop Garreco at Chase Dental Supply, or email sales@chasedentalsupply.com if you want help matching stones to your denture and mounting workflow.
Set up your flasking and mounting bench
Order Garreco Flasking Stone, Mounting Stone or Dental Plaster, or call us to talk through what your lab needs.
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