Description
This product is a translucent platinum silicone mixed at a 1A:1B ratio by volume, eliminating the need for a weighing scale. It has a low viscosity, so vacuum degassing is not required for most applications. When properly cured, it complies with 21 CFR 177.2600 for use with dry and aqueous food only, but is not intended for repeated use with fatty foods.
Features
- Mold Making: Suitable for making fast set, strong molds for casting wax, gypsum, resins, and more.
- Skin Effects (SFX): Used globally for creating skin and creature effects. Cured silicones are skin-safe and certified by an independent laboratory. They are excellent for casting into alginate molds to make realistic body part props. Various color effects can be achieved by adding Silc Pig™ or Ignite™ color pigments and/or Cast Magic™ effects powders. They can also be thickened with THI-VEX™ or softened with SLACKER™ to create life-like silicone appliances. Cured rubber can be painted with Psycho Paint™ to enhance realism.
- Note: This product will not cure against surfaces containing sulfur, even when sealed.
Technical Properties
- Mix Ratio By Volume: 1A:1B
- Mix Ratio By Weight: 1A:1B
- Pot Life: 10 minutes
- Cure Time: 30 minutes
- Shore Hardness: 25 A
- Specific Gravity: 1.1 g/cc
- Specific Volume: 0.91 cm³/g
- Color: Translucent
- Tensile Strength: 3.38 MPa (490 psi)
- 100% Modulus: 455 kPa (66 psi)
- Elongation @ Break: 616%
- Die B Tear Strength: 24.3 kN/m (139 pli)
- Useful Temperature (max): 232°C (450°F)
- Useful Temperature (min): -54°C (-65°F)
- Dielectric Strength: >350 volts/mil
- Mixed Viscosity: 5,000 mPa·s
Instructions
Use in a properly ventilated area. Wear safety glasses, long sleeves, and rubber gloves to minimize contamination risk. Use vinyl gloves only as latex gloves will inhibit the cure of the rubber. Store and use material at room temperature (23°C/73°F). Warmer temperatures will reduce working and cure time and the shelf life of unused material. Mixing containers should have straight sides and a flat bottom. Mixing sticks should be flat and stiff with defined edges for scraping the sides and bottom of your mixing container.
Cure Inhibition
Addition-cure silicone rubber may be inhibited by certain contaminants resulting in tackiness or a total lack of cure. Latex, tin-cure silicone, sulfur clays, certain wood surfaces, newly cast polyester, epoxy, tin cure silicone rubber, or urethane rubber may cause inhibition. A small scale test is recommended if compatibility is a concern. Apply a small amount of rubber onto a non-critical area of the pattern. Inhibition has occurred if the rubber is gummy or uncured after the recommended cure time.
To prevent inhibition, apply one or more coatings of a clear acrylic lacquer to the model surface. Allow any sealer to dry thoroughly before applying rubber.
Because no two applications are quite the same, a small test application to determine suitability for your project is recommended if performance of this material is in question.
Note: Even with a sealer, platinum silicones will not work with modeling clays containing heavy amounts of sulfur. Do a small scale test for compatibility before using on your project.
Applying A Release Agent
Although not usually necessary, a release agent will make demolding easier. Ease Release™ 200 is a proven release agent for releasing silicone from silicone or other surfaces (DO NOT apply Ease Release 200 to the skin). Lightly brush the release agent with a soft brush over all surfaces of the model. Follow with a light mist coating and let the release agent dry for 30 minutes. If planning to paint your piece with Psycho Paint™, DO NOT apply a release agent as it will interfere with bonding.
Measuring & Mixing
Stir Part A and Part B thoroughly before dispensing. After dispensing required amounts of Parts A and B into a mixing container (1A:1B by volume or weight), mix thoroughly for 3 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the mixing container several times.
Pouring, Curing & Performance
Pour your mixture in a single spot at the lowest point of the containment field. Let the rubber seek its own level. A uniform flow will help minimize entrapped air. If using as a mold material, the liquid rubber should level off at least 1.3 cm (1/2”) over the highest point of the model surface.
When first cast, silicone rubber molds exhibit natural release characteristics. No release agent is necessary when casting wax or gypsum. Applying a release agent such as Ease Release™ 200 prior to casting polyurethane, polyester, and epoxy resins is recommended to prevent mold degradation.
Thickening Silicones
THI-VEX™ is made especially for thickening silicones for vertical surface application. Different viscosities can be attained by varying the amount of THI-VEX™.
Curing/Post Curing
Allow rubber to cure as prescribed at room temperature (23°C/73°F) before demolding. Do not cure rubber where temperature is less than 18°C/65°F. Time to demold can be reduced with mild heat or by adding an appropriate amount of Plat-Cat™ cure accelerator. The pot life and cure times can be extended using Slo-Jo™ cure retarder. Optional: Post curing the mold will aid in quickly attaining maximum physical and performance properties. After curing at room temperature, expose the rubber to 80°C/176°F for 2 hours and 100°C/212°F for one hour. Allow mold to cool to room temperature before using.
Mold Performance & Storage
The physical life of the mold depends on usage. Casting abrasive materials such as concrete can erode mold detail, while casting non-abrasive materials (wax) will not affect mold detail. Before storing, clean the mold with a soap solution and dry it fully. Two part (or more) molds should be assembled. Molds should be stored on a level surface in a cool, dry environment.
