I have read a lot about Gunther von Hagens and his plastination process. He sells a DVD that on his web site that is supposed to explain it in detail. Some day I would like to see it.
What I understand about the process is that the body is first embalmed to retard deterioration. Then it is submerged into a freezing alcohol bath in a negative atmosphere tank. The alcohol displaces all of the water in the body. Then the body is submerged in a negative atmosphere tank containing a liquid polymer such as silicon. The vacuum is such that it boils off the alcohol away and the polymer replaces it. At this point, the body is still soft and pliable and all of the body fat has dissolved into the alcohol.
Von Hagens then slices and dices the body and supports the veins, arteries and such in a kind of framework to hold them in the right position. The he exposes the body to strong UV light which causes the plastic resin to harden. After some some touch up work and a little coloring, it's ready to be displayed. Imagine having a playmate that lsats a hundred years.
