Description
This platinum-catalyzed silicone rubber is mixed in a 1A:1B ratio by weight or volume and cures at room temperature with negligible shrinkage.
Ecoflex™ 00-10 has a low viscosity, making it easy to mix and de-air. Once cured, it is very soft, strong, and stretchy, capable of stretching many times its original size without tearing and rebounding to its original form without distortion.
Features
- Water-white, translucent, and can be color-pigmented with Silc Pig™ pigments.
- Can be thinned with Silicone Thinner™ for lower viscosity.
- THI-VEX™ silicone thickener can be added for brushable applications.
- Suitable for prosthetic appliances, cushioning for orthotics, and special effects applications, especially in animatronics.
- Cures with a “tacky” surface.
Technical Properties
- Mix Ratio: 1A:1B by volume
- Mix Ratio: 1A:1B by weight
- Working time: 30 minutes
- Cure Time: 4 hours
- Shore Hardness: 00-10
- Certified Skin Safe
- Specific Gravity: 1.04 g/cc
- Specific Volume: 0.96 cm³/g
- Tensile Strength: 0.83 MPa
- 100% Modulus: 55 kPa
- Elongation @ Break: 800%
- Die B Tear Strength: 3.9 kN/m
- Color: Translucent
- Useful Temperature Range: -54°C to 232°C
- Mixed Viscosity: 14,000 mPa·s (cps)
Instructions
Safety
Use in a properly ventilated area. Wear safety glasses, long sleeves, and rubber gloves to minimize the risk of contamination. Use vinyl gloves only, as latex gloves will inhibit the cure of the rubber. Store and use material at room temperature (23°C). Warmer temperatures will drastically reduce working and curing times, and storing material at warmer temperatures will also shorten the usable shelf life of unused material.
Cure Inhibition
Addition-cure silicone rubber may be inhibited by certain contaminants, resulting in tackiness or failure to cure. Latex, tin-cure silicone, sulfur clays, certain wood surfaces, newly cast polyester, epoxy, or urethane rubber may cause inhibition. A small-scale test is recommended to check compatibility. 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 and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying rubber. Note that even with a sealer, platinum silicones will not work with modeling clays containing heavy amounts of sulfur. A small-scale compatibility test is recommended.
Because no two applications are quite the same, a small test application to determine suitability for your project is recommended if the 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 it on your project.
Applying A Release Agent
Although not usually necessary, a release agent will make demolding easier. Ease Release™ 200 is recommended for use with silicone rubber. Lightly brush the release agent over all surfaces of the model with a soft brush, then apply a light mist coating. Let the release agent dry for 30 minutes. A small-scale test should be conducted on an identical surface as a trial if there is any question about the effectiveness of a sealer/release agent combination.
Measuring & Mixing
Pre-mix Part B thoroughly. 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. Vacuum degassing is recommended to eliminate any entrapped air in liquid rubber. Your vacuum pump must pull a minimum of 29 inches of mercury (or 1 Bar / 100 KPa). Leave enough room in the container for material expansion. Vacuum material until it rises, breaks, and falls. Vacuum for 1 minute after the material falls.
Pouring
For best results, pour your mixture in a single spot at the lowest point of the containment field. Let the rubber seek its level up and over the model. The liquid rubber should level off at least 1.3 cm (1/2”) over the highest point of the model surface.
Curing / Post Curing
Allow rubber to cure as prescribed at room temperature (23°C) before demolding. Do not cure rubber at temperatures below 18°C. Optional: Post-curing the mold will help quickly achieve maximum physical and performance properties. After curing at room temperature, expose the rubber to 80°C for 2 hours and 100°C for one hour. Allow mold to cool to room temperature before using.
If Using As A Mold
When first cast, silicone rubber molds exhibit natural release characteristics. Depending on what is being cast into the mold, mold lubricity may be depleted over time, causing parts to stick. 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 formulated specifically to thicken silicones for vertical-surface applications (making brush-on molds). Different viscosities can be attained by varying the amount of THI-VEX™.
Thinning Silicones
Silicone Thinner™ will reduce the viscosity of silicones, making them easier to pour and vacuum-degas. A disadvantage is that ultimate tear and tensile strength are reduced in proportion to the amount of Silicone Thinner™ added. It is not recommended to exceed 10% by weight of the total system (A + B).
Mold Performance & Storage
The physical life of the mold depends on how you use it (materials cast, frequency, etc.). Casting abrasive materials, such as concrete, can quickly erode mold detail, whereas casting non-abrasive materials (wax) does not. Before storing, the mold should be cleaned with a soap solution and wiped fully dry. Two-part (or more) molds should be assembled. Molds should be stored on a level surface in a cool, dry environment.
