Mold Star Series
Mold Star rubbers are easy to use platinum silicones which are mixed 1A:1B by volume (no weighing scale necessary). Mold Star silicones feature relatively low viscosities and vacuum degassing is not required for most applications. The pot life of Mold Star 15 SLOW is 50 minutes and cure time is 4 hours at room temperature. Mold Star 16 FAST is a faster material with a 6 minute pot life and 30 minute cure time. Mold Star 30 is a harder material, with a 30A Shore hardness
Mold Star silicones cure to soft, strong rubbers which are tear resistant and exhibit very low long term shrinkage. Molds made with Mold Star will last a long time in your mold library and are good for casting wax, gypsum, resins, concrete and other materials. Cured Mold Star rubber is heat resistant up to 450 F (232 C) and is suitable for casting low-temperature melt metal alloys. Note: THI-VEX is NOT compatible with Mold Star rubbers
Technical bulletin Mold Star 15, 16 and 30
Technical bulletin Mold Star 20T
MoldStar List
MoldStar List_
Casting Crystal Clear
making artificial coral reef
Mold Star #2
Mold Star mold making #1
Note: This product will not cure against surfaces containing sulfur, even when sealed.
Cure Inhibition - Addition cured silicone rubber may be inhibited by certain contaminants in or on the pattern to be molded resulting in tackiness at the pattern interface or a total lack of cure throughout the mold. Latex, sulfur clays, certain wood surfaces, newly cast polyester, epoxy or urethane rubber may cause inhibition. If compatibility between the rubber and the surface is a concern, a small-scale test is recommended. 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 has passed. To prevent inhibition, one or more coatings of a clear acrylic lacquer applied to the model surface is usually effective. Allow any sealer to thoroughly dry before applying rubber.
If you are not sure if your clay contains sulfur, do a small compatibility test before using for an important project.
Applying A Release Agent - Although not usually necessary, a release agent will make demolding easier when casting into most surfaces. Ease Release 200 is a proven release agent for releasing silicone from silicone or other surfaces. Mann Ease Release products are available from our Website.
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.
Measuring & Mixing - Before you begin, pre-mix Part A and Part B separately. After dispensing required amounts of Parts A and B into mixing container (1A:1B by volume), mix thoroughly making sure that you scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing container several times. The rubber should be a uniform color with no streaks.
Optional... Vacuum Degassing - Although not necessary, vacuum degassing helps eliminate any entrapped air in pourable silicone rubber. After mixing parts A and B, vacuum material for 2-3 minutes at 29 inches of mercury, making sure that you leave enough room in container for product expansion.
Pouring - For best results, 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 1/2 (1.3 cm) over the highest point of the model surface.
Heat Curing - Time to demold can be reduced by applying mild heat.
Adding an appropriate amount of Plat-Cat cure accelerator will also reduce demold time.
The pot life and cure times can be extended using Slo-Jo cure retarder.
Do not cure rubber where temperature is less than 65 F/18 C.
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, while casting non-abrasive materials (wax) will not affect mold detail. 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.
Safety - Use in a properly ventilated area ("room size ventilation). Wear safety glasses, long sleeves and rubber gloves to minimize contamination risk. Wear vinyl gloves only. Latex gloves will inhibit the cure of the rubber. Store and use material at room temperature (73 F/23 C). Warmer temperatures will drastically reduce working time and cure time. Storing material at warmer temperatures will also reduce the usable shelf life of unused material. These products have a limited shelf life and should be used as soon as possible.
|
product name |
A:B mixing Ratio |
Demold Time |
Elongation at Break |
Mixed Viscosity |
Pot Life |
Shore A Hardness |
Tear Strength |
Specific Gravity |
|
Mold Star 15 |
1:1 by volume |
4 hours |
440% |
12500 cps |
50 min |
15 |
88 pli |
1.18 kg/lt |
|
Mold Star 16 |
1:1 by volume |
30 min |
440% |
12500 cps |
6 min |
16 |
88 pli |
1.18 kg/lt |
|
Mold Star 30 |
1:1 by volume |
6 hours |
339% |
12500 cps |
45 min |
30 |
88 pli |
1.21 kg/lt |