Post by anna8 on Jan 7, 2021 16:24:56 GMT -5
Hello all!
I'm hoping to get some advice on my issue with molds.
I'm frequently casting 3" tall cylinders using eco epoxy and "TRANS 40 Translucent Silicone Rubber" for molds.
My issue is with molds not lasting as long as I'd like them to. Currently I can only get about 5-6 castings per mold. After that silicone starts to slowly dry out, stick to the resin and create very foggy surface. Since I'm after a glossy cylinder, I find myself glazing each piece to recreate glossiness the original casting had which is very tedious and time consuming. I have to remake new molds every month which is becoming very expensive and not sustainable for my production.
I must point out I do all the usual cleaning/storing/mold release spraying routine that's advisable for the molds. I never pull too hard or use heat gun on them, but none of this has helped me with prolonging their lives.
Is this a normal life span for a mold made with this rubber?
I have heard, that epoxies are generally bad for silicone because they pull out natural oils out of it and wondering if that could be the case.
Will casting with polyurethane be more gentle on the molds?
Thanks for any tips!
I'm hoping to get some advice on my issue with molds.
I'm frequently casting 3" tall cylinders using eco epoxy and "TRANS 40 Translucent Silicone Rubber" for molds.
My issue is with molds not lasting as long as I'd like them to. Currently I can only get about 5-6 castings per mold. After that silicone starts to slowly dry out, stick to the resin and create very foggy surface. Since I'm after a glossy cylinder, I find myself glazing each piece to recreate glossiness the original casting had which is very tedious and time consuming. I have to remake new molds every month which is becoming very expensive and not sustainable for my production.
I must point out I do all the usual cleaning/storing/mold release spraying routine that's advisable for the molds. I never pull too hard or use heat gun on them, but none of this has helped me with prolonging their lives.
Is this a normal life span for a mold made with this rubber?
I have heard, that epoxies are generally bad for silicone because they pull out natural oils out of it and wondering if that could be the case.
Will casting with polyurethane be more gentle on the molds?
Thanks for any tips!
