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Molding and Casting

Group Assignment

  • Review the safety data sheets for each of your molding and casting materials
  • Make and compare test casts with each of them

 

Material 1

Material name: Silicone rubber

Picture: 

image

Safety:

1. Used in a properly ventilated space.

2. Wear protective gloves and eye protection when using.

3. In case of skin contact, wipe it off with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, then wash it with soapy water.

4. In case of eye contact, rinse with running water immediately for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.

5. Children should not use this product without adult supervision

 

Process steps: 

Pour the Part A and B together, then stir the silicone rubber for about 5 mins. Make sure to stir the mixture thoroughly for better results.

 

Mix ratio (if applicable): 1:1

 

 

Work time

Cure time

30 min

3-6 hours

 

Cured material state: 

Datasheet and sources Links:

Process pictures and comments:

Result pictures:

 


 

 

Material 2

Material name: RTV2 SILICONE RUBBER

Picture: 

image

Safety:

safety glasses, long sleeves, and rubber gloves. However, it's essential to note that latex gloves can interfere with the curing process of RTV-2 silicones, so opt for vinyl gloves instead.

 

Process steps: 

1) Surface (Model) that silicone will be poured must be clean.

  •    There shouldn’t any wet, dust or dirt.

 

2)     Release agent for the surface is adviced.

  •    Spray     

  •    Brush     

  •    Sponge

 

3)     Silicone must be mixed at least 30 seconds before adding the curing agent.

  •    Mixing process will increase the fluidity of the silicone.

  •    Helps chemical components inside the silicone become homogeneous.

 

4)    All preliminary work should be done before casting and casting should be completed without wasting time.

  •    Enough amount of curing agentmust be added to silicone.

  •    Ideal curing time that depends on the silicone and curing agent. In most of the cases it is better to wait for 8-12 hours. Silicones that vulcanized (cured)under or over this time may have slightly less performance.

  •    Curing agent amount must be set according to the ambient temperature and moisture.

  •    Curing and operation time shortens as the temperature and moisture rises.

  •    More the curing agent amount faster the vulcanizing, less the curing agent amount slower the vulcanizing.

  •    Precision balance is highly recommended to determine the right amount. If there is no access to any balance, tape measure or a syringe can be used, as well.

 

5)     Silicone must be mixed well after adding the curing agent.

  •    A low-medium speed mixer (paint mixer etc.) is recommended.

  •    Mixing process, taking the silicone amount into consideration, should continue approximately for 1-2 minutes.

  •    Important during the mixing process is to make sure that the curing agent penetrates the siliconecompletely and spreads homogeneously.

 

6)     Removing of the air bubbles after the mixing process is essential.

  •    Must be kept for 1-2 minutes inside the vacuum chamber for the best results.

  •    If you have no access to a vacuum chamber one, vibration method can be used.

  •    With a blowgun or by blowing, the evacuation of bubbles on the surface can be supported.

 

7)     Silicone must not be touched after the moulding process until the vulcanizing (curing) is completed.

  •    Vulcanized silicone can be released from the model.

  •    For the best moulding performance, process should begin at least 24 hours after the vulcanizing is done.

  •    It is recommended to rest the mould and cleaned at regular intervals between the castings if the offensive chemicals will be processed such as polyurethane.

 

 

Mix ratio (if applicable): 

Mixing ratio 100 parts by weight of silicone rubber + 5 parts by weight of hardener. A faster hardener is available and can be mixed with the standard hardener to the desired hardening time. Mix well and if possible bleed under vacuum for 1 to 2 minutes, under no circumstances longer than 5 minutes.

 

Work time

Cure time

30 - 40 mins

The catalyzed material will cure to a flexible rubber within 6 hours (or faster by different mixing ratio or room temperature), we advice you de-mold after 24 hours, it is will improve the replicate times of silicone mold.

 

Cured material state: 

Datasheet and sources Links:

https://www.craftyapi.com/steps-to-apply-rtv2-moulding-silicone

 

Process pictures and comments:

Result pictures:


 

 

Material 3

Material name: Resin

Picture: 

image

Safety: Gloves, masks, and eye protection are recommended when working with resins to avoid skin contact and inhalation of fumes.

 

Process steps: 

Step 1 : Purchase the required materials and put on your personal protective equipment.

Step 2 : Mix the resin and hardener in the suitable ratio.

Step 3 : Add pigments or colours to it.

Step 4 : Pour it in the mold.

Step 5 : Cover it.

Step 6 : Let it dry.

 

Mix ratio (if applicable): 10:6

 

 

Work time

Cure time

45 minutes 

24-48 hours

 

Cured material state: Solid 

Datasheet and sources Links: 

Process pictures and comments:

Result pictures:

image


 

 

Material 4

Material name: Gypsum (standard plaster)

Picture:

 image

Safety: It is recommended to use Eye protection and gloves

 

Process steps: 

  1. collect into water (not reverse) in a clean bucket and use cool, clean water. 
  2. Stop dosing when the powder exceeds the water level. 
  3. After 1 minute of soaking, properly mix by hand or by mixer

 

Mix ratio: 1.25Kg of plaster for 1L of water. 

 (Or 0.8L of water for 1Kg plaster.)

 

Work time

Cure time

5 minutes

Initial: 5 minutes

Final: 15 minutes

 

Cured material state: 

Datasheet and sources Links:It needs to be stored on pallets in a dry environment. Storage approx.4 month,dry. Website

Process pictures and comments: Very easy to work with. Dries fast when using correct or dry mixture, so be careful.

Result pictures:

Bottom Left: 5.55g of water with 4.44g of plaster

Top Left: 4.44g of water with 5.55g of plaster

Bottom Right: 4g of water with 6g of plaster

 

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Last update: August 7, 2024