Showing posts with label mold making and casting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mold making and casting. Show all posts

Cutting Edge Magic: Why Silicone mold is Beloved by F/X Studios to Chocolatiers

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , Wednesday, January 24, 2024 4:38 AM

From artisan chocolates to custom concrete furnishings, silicone has become an indispensable asset for makers and hobbyists alike. With its durability, flexibility, and unmatched ability to capture fine detail, silicone empowers creators to keep pushing boundaries.

Understanding the properties that set silicone apart reveals why it has found a home everywhere from professional kitchens to special effects workshops. Whether whipping up an amber resin cast or shiny ingot of soap, discover how this material can elevate your projects.

What Makes Silicone So Exceptional?


Heat Tolerance

Silicone possesses impressive thermal stability, retaining its properties in temperatures ranging from -100° to upwards of 500°F. You can safely use silicone molds for casting wax or tempering delicate chocolates. Some specialized products designed for metalsmithing can even withstand molten metals exceeding 1200°F.

Flexibility

A hallmark of silicone is its bendability and elasticity. Complex mold geometries and deep undercut areas that crack rigid molds can flex and deform to release casts freely. This flexibility prevents damage during extraction, enabling multiple re-uses.

Durability

While silicone rubbers exhibit great flexibility, they are not easily torn or made to lose shape. Quality silicone holds up to years of regular casting use if properly maintained. Whether subjected to moisture, UV light, or humidity, silicone retains dimensional stability better than most alternatives.

Intricate Detail Resolution

Molten silicone easily picks up even the most subtle textures and details with accuracy and precision. Things like delicate feathers, lace patterns, or typography imprint clearly for high-fidelity reproduction. This aids creators in capturing realism.

Key Applications Leveraging Silicone’s Properties


Chocolate Making

Safe for food contact, resistant to high heat, and flexible enough to remove fragile tempered chocolate castings without breakage. Silicone offers chocolate makers the ideal material for yielding flawlessly detailed bonbons, pralines, or candy bars through intricate molds.

Candle Making

Candle makers harness silicone molds to impart striking embossed geometries, textures, and custom patterns into wax. Exceptional thermal properties allow molten wax to cure fully before flexible demolding. The results are wax creations with crisp details.

Resin Casting

The clarity of crystal-clear epoxy and polyurethane resins lets subtle mold details shine through vibrantly. Silicone picks up and replicates even the most minute textures and patterns without loss of accuracy. Resin artisans use this capability to encapsulate items inside hand-poured tabletop pieces with stunning realism.

Soap Making

It stands up to alkaline soaps without issue, unlike some mold alternatives which can react. Flexible soap molds yield intricately shaped bars, embossed designs, and custom textures while minimizing surface curing issues that can inhibit release. The bendability also prevents fragile soap castings from cracking or tearing during unmolding.

Concrete Casting

Recreating stone-like qualities in concrete relies on molds with excellent detail resolution to impart realism. While concrete cures, silicone’s flexibility enables unfolding of complex mold geometry and undercuts. The result: textured and imprinted concrete products that mimic Mediterranean tiles, rough-hewn plank wood, or fossil patterns.



Pushing Creative Boundaries


Jewelry makers leverage silicone’s heat resistance for lost-wax casting of silver and gold pieces. Special effects studios take advantage of flawless detail replication to produce masks, makeup prosthetics, and animatronics resembling skin. Chocolatiers transform cacao into delectable works of art through whimsical silicone molds.

Indeed, pushing creative limits seems to be silicone’s specialty. The material aids makers throughout every step of the process with properties uniquely fit for purpose.

Choosing the Best Silicone Products


With so many inferior silicone products flooding the market, finding quality can prove difficult. For mold making and casting, platinum-cure silicones represent the gold standard. Compared to tin-cured versions, platinum stands up better to repeated use without inhibiting finishes. These specialized rubbers also pick up finer details than cheaper alternatives.

For elevated mold-making and casting essentials, ArtMolds offers an unrivaled selection of platinum silicone products purpose-built for artisans. Peruse our vast catalog of chocolate molds, resin tools, candle supplies, soap molds and more to take your next project to the next level.

Discover the Art of Silicone Casting


We invite you to explore first-hand how our premium silicone tools unlock new potential for makers of all skill levels. Let your imagination run wild and breathe life into your most ambitious creative visions with ArtMolds by your side. Discover our complete range of innovative silicone solutions by visiting https://www.artmolds.com today.

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Capturing Life's Imperfectly Perfect Moments with Body Casting

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , , Sunday, January 7, 2024 11:45 PM

From preserving baby bumps to capturing gallant war veterans, life casting spotlights humanity’s diverse shapes, sizes, and imperfections through 3D replicas. As demand grows for these intimate biomorphic art pieces, environmentally conscious artists choose sustainable casting methods and materials. Eco-friendly body casting helps create lasting sculptures honoring one-of-a-kind life moments without harming the planet.

What Makes Casting Materials Eco-Friendly?


Conventional casting products use solvents and chemicals hazardous to artists and the environment. Many materials give off noxious fumes requiring protective gear during handling. As sculptures weather or deteriorate over time, their breakdown releases toxins contaminating ecosystems.

Eco-friendly life casting materials use non-toxic, water-based formulas free of solvents, VOCs and chemicals. Their neutral pH makes them gentle enough for direct skin contact during molding. Because they wash off with soap and water, these supplies don’t damage plumbing or waterways. As biodegradable materials, their waste breaks down safely to avoid pollution issues.



Why ArtMolds Stands Out for Sustainable Body Casting?


ArtMolds provides innovative, eco-friendly alginate, gypsum cement, sealers, pigments, and tools for the full casting workflow. Our water-based bio-resin even replicates plaster’s fine surface detail for lightweight finished casts. As conscientious art material suppliers, we voluntarily meet and exceed safety regulations.

As a trusted American brand,we also source predominant ingredients domestically and regionally to reduce transport emissions. Committed to responsible environmental practices, ArtMolds packages supplies using recyclable and biodegradable materials too. Artists get quality, non-toxic body casting kits convenient for lower waste workflows.

Getting Equipped for Eco-Friendly Casting


Prepare for eco-friendly life casting sessions by gathering necessary studio provisions beyond materials. Stock up on recyclable mixing containers, silicone, or wood tools, drop cloths and water for safety and efficiency.

Use non-latex gloves for model skin protection and clean up. Plan adequate ventilation plus protective face masks or respirators if sensitive to minor alginate dust. Align timing with safe plaster pouring &curing stages across molding and casting steps. Careful handling prevents waste of expensive supplies or collateral damage from accidents.

For casting preparations, alginate mold material mixed with water for application direct to skin. Plan mold thickness and proportions allowing for secure plaster support. After drying, gently detach and reinforce alginate molds before casting the interior cavity.

Once the plaster or bio-resin replica finishes curing, carefully extract it without compromising detail. Execute precision trimming and cutting tasks before final surface treatment as needed. Eco-friendly sealants protect completed sculpture casts while retaining life-like skin texture.

Honor Life’s Imperfectly Perfect Moments Sustainably


Eco-conscious artists now enjoy the means to capture intimate detail of unique human forms without harming health or planet. Visit https://www.artmolds.com to learn more about our complete eco-friendly body casting kits, tips, and inspiration to elevate your sustainable art. Replicate the moments and imperfections making life beautiful while honoring your environmental values. Display your exclusive solo or couples’ art locally or enter sculpture competitions and exhibitions worldwide. Just don’t keep the green secrets of your compelling, conscientious creations under wraps for too long!

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Artistic Alchemy Unveiled: The Secrets of Resin Casting and Polyurethanes

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , , Monday, November 27, 2023 1:40 AM

In the realm of artistic expression, resin casting has emerged as a revolutionary technique, offering artists the ability to capture intricate details and unleash their creativity in three-dimensional forms. At the heart of this artistic alchemy lies the use of polyurethanes, a versatile material that has transformed the way artists bring their visions to life.

Understanding Resin Casting:


Resin casting is an art form that involves pouring liquid resin into a mold to create a solid, detailed replica of the mold's interior. This technique has gained popularity for its ability to preserve fine details, making it an ideal choice for crafting intricate sculptures, jewelry, and various artistic projects. The magic happens when the resin cures, transforming from a liquid into a solid masterpiece.
 



The Power of Polyurethanes:


It plays a pivotal role in the world of casting, bringing a myriad of benefits to artists. These materials exhibit excellent flexibility, durability, and resistance to abrasion, making them perfect for creating long-lasting, high-quality art pieces. The versatility of this allows artists to experiment with different textures, colors, and finishes, pushing the boundaries of their creativity.

Mastering the Art:


To embark on a casting journey with polyurethanes, artists must first choose the right materials. High-quality molds and polyurethane resins are essential for achieving stunning results. It's crucial to follow proper mixing ratios and application techniques to ensure a smooth and successful casting process.

Exploring Creativity:


One of the most exciting aspects of resin casting is the ability to experiment with various additives. Pigments, dyes, and metallic powders can be introduced to the resin mixture, allowing artists to customize the appearance of their creations. This opens a world of possibilities, from vibrant, translucent sculptures to shimmering, metallic-infused jewelry.

Overcoming Challenges:


While resin casting with polyurethanes offers boundless creative opportunities, it's not without its challenges. Artists may encounter issues such as air bubbles, uneven curing, or color inconsistencies. However, these hurdles can be overcome with practice, experimentation, and a keen understanding of the materials used.

Conclusion:


Within the realm of artistic expression, the use of polyurethanes in resin casting serves as a portal to boundless creative possibilities. As artists delve into the world of molding and casting, the quality of materials becomes paramount. For those seeking excellence in their artistic pursuits, Artmolds provides top-notch products that elevate it to new heights. Explore the vast array of molds at https://www.artmolds.com/, and unlock the full potential of your artistic vision.

Ready to elevate your artistry with the finest casting materials? Get in touch with us now to begin a creative adventure like never experienced before. Set free your imagination and transform your artistic visions into reality.

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Making Plaster Work for Mold Making and Casting

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , Monday, January 16, 2023 11:15 PM

As we all know; plaster is a very versatile material. A modified version works well for making molds, casts and life casts. The trick is to use the right formulation from a reliable source to get best results.

Plaster is simply a mixture of sand with lime and cement. This soft white powder is mixed with water to create a workable paste that can be applied on different surfaces. It yields a smooth and hard surface finish when dry.

Primarily used as a construction material, plaster can form a protective or even decorative coating on walls, ceilings, etc. The same plaster has found its way into dentistry, orthopedics and other applications. What’s more, it lends itself well to arts like plaster casting, mold making and life casting too!

Indeed, this material can be used to make both molds and casts. Plaster molds serve as the base for industrial applications for making metal castings wherein molten metal is poured into the mold and allowed to harden to form the cast. When used as a casting material, it yields crisp details with an excellent finish. And plaster happens to be the material of choice for making life casts. Be it face, torso, hands, feet or the whole body, the stark relief of a bright white plaster cast stands unparalleled!

Additionally, plaster is infused into gauze that serves well for making shell molds. As the plaster turns stiff on drying, it helps reinforce flexible molds so that they can retain their shape without flopping during the casting process.

Some artists even use the same plaster bandages to make rough belly molds and masks. This captures the basic shape and form of the model without getting into too much detail.

How to use?


Mold making and casting artists should keep in mind that they cannot use regular plaster (or plaster of Paris). This will tend to turn chalky and flaky, not to mention that it fails to hold details well. A specially formulated form of plaster is considered better suited for mold making and casting applications.

Keep in mind that plaster cannot be used directly on the skin. The paste will emit heat as it cures which can even burn the skin. Therefore, it is better to stick to applications on inanimate objects. However, plaster infused bandages can still be used for making body molds.

What is important here is to use the right form of plaster. Take CastRite Art Casting Stone for instance – this comes from a trustworthy manufacturer and is considered the perfect choice for castings and life castings. It has been specially heat-treated and will set fairly hard, but can still be carved and tooled as desired. This fine arts casting stone also holds excellent detail without chipping, cracking or even becoming chalky. The plaster can be used for making castings in alginate, resin and silicone molds.

In sum, indulge in the goodness of plaster, but make sure to opt for the best option!

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Decoding Casting by Way of Mold Making

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , , Wednesday, November 23, 2022 2:41 AM

The making of a casting has its roots in mold making. We trace the journey of learning how to make a negative mold before progressing to making casts there from. Delightful wonders will enfold enroute!

Castings are a lovely form of reproducing an original model that has captured the imagination or is calling for duplicates. The beauty of castings is that they don’t have to follow the same material of the original. Casting artists have the liberty to play around with the material and can make the cast with different products like plaster, gypsum, polyurethane resin, latex rubber, silicone rubber, etc. What’s more, they can even simulate the look of wood, marble, granite, iron, steel, copper, brass, aluminum, etc. using cold casting powders.

However, it cannot be denied that the base for casts rests in mold making. A mold is nothing but a negative impression of the original model. It is designed to capture the contours, indentations and undercuts of the model in the form of a hollow cavity. The casting material is filled in the mold and cures to form a spitting reproduction of the original model.

The same concept is used to make life casts of the live human body. Any part of a person – from the face, hands and feet to the abdomen, hips, breasts or torso can be reproduced in the form of a three-dimensional life cast. The difference here is that the life casting artist will use skin-friendly materials for making the body mold before proceeding to the casting.




Learning to make molds and casts


It is the quality of the mold that will dictate how the final cast will turn out to be. Therefore, artists have to first imbibe the art of how to make a mold. There are varied methods and materials at the artist’s disposal. A judicious choice will incorporate the right technique with the best material to get an excellent mold.

Here, the artist has to keep different factors in mind before working on shaping the mold making material to capture the form of the model in its entirety. The molds can be made in one part or more. The technique can be block mold or blanket mold which again begets different methods like glove molds, brushed molds, slush molds, injection molds, etc.

There is a need to seal the model, use a release agent and allow for proper setting/curing of the mold. After demolding, both the model and mold will have to be cleaned. The mold may even need to be finished by scraping or adding some material to get the shape exactly right. At times, a shell mold is essential for encasing molds of a flexible nature.

Finally, the mold is ready and can be used for casting. This process again opens a choice of different materials. The casting material is usually poured directly into the mold, but it may have to be deaired first to eliminate the possibility of unsightly bubbles.

The casting is easy to demold and can be finished before using as desired!
 

 

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Behold! All-in-One Kits for Making Life Casts

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , Tuesday, April 19, 2022 4:02 AM

You can buy every single thing you need for making a mold, cast or life cast or you can just pick up a kit while you are out there! The latter removes all the hassles and makes things easy from the word go.

Mold making and casting are fun activities that keep a person hooked on during the entire process. It is fascinating to create a mold of something and then work on making a perfectly detailed cast from the mold. The process becomes even more exciting when the mold is made of a body part, like hands, feet or face before creating an exact replica in the form of a life cast!

However, assembling all the different types of materials, supplies and tools for making the mold and cast is another story altogether. A variety of things are required to shape and form the molds and casts which can get quite taxing, especially for beginners.

Welcome to the world of kits


Art supply manufacturers come to the rescue here by putting together kits that contain everything needed for making a particular type of mold/cast. Let us take the Mold It Hand Imprint Kit for example.

Open the kit and you will find mold making material, casting material and all the small tools and supplies that are needed for making the life cast of a hand. There is no need to list all the different items that will be required for this project, let alone figure out the requisite quantities to purchase. Falling short of material while making the mold or life cast is something that everyone wants to avoid for obvious reasons!

Armed with this kit, a parent can quickly make a life cast of their newborn baby’s hands that will be cherished forever. It can even make for a lovely gift for grandparents or other family members. The kit can also be used to preserve memories of a child or loved one holding a trophy or other cherished item that will become a wonderful keepsake.

What’s more, the kit comes with instructions and other educational material that will make the going easy for people who have never tried their hand at making molds or casts. In fact, the kit is often used by children as a hobby or a family activity while they develop the skill of making different types of molds. In fact, the kit does not have to be restricted to hand life casts and can be used for other purposes too.

Where to get it?


Mold It Hand Imprint Kit comes from the house of EnvironMolds, a leading art manufacturer and supplier, and can be easily sourced from https://www.artmolds.com/. It also stocks a complete range of materials, supplies and equipment for those who want to move to making other types of molds and casts without relying on a kit. In fact, this is the go-to store for professional mold makers and life casting artists as they are assured of both quality and availability!

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Mold Making Methods for Silicone Rubber

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , , , Wednesday, March 9, 2022 9:55 PM

Silicone rubber is the ideal material for mold making. There are different methods of making silicone molds – from general to inversion and vacuum – and each delivers top quality molds every time.

Silicone rubber is considered the material of choice for making both molds and casts. The rubber is suitable for making molds of all kinds – from reproducing figurines and giftware to making automotive parts, toys and other prototypes - and gives quality results every time. Moreover, it is easily workable, flows well and is non-exothermic in nature. The rubber always cures uniformly, irrespective of the thickness. It will demold easily as well because silicone rubber does not stick to anything except itself.


SkinRite10

Mold making methods


Molds of silicone rubbers can be made using different techniques. The most common are the general molds which easily replicate the surface details of the model in a negative mold. The silicone rubber is mixed with the catalyst and is simply poured over the model (which is affixed inside a mold box). The mold is easy and quick to make while giving efficient results. It does not require any special skills either.

Otherwise, there is the lamination method, wherein the mold making rubber is painted on the model one coat after the other. This creates a skin of even thickness and the mold can be reinforced with a shell mold if needed. These molds will be lightweight and do not use much of the material either.

Some artists prefer the inverted mold method, wherein first a silicone rubber mold is created and resin or gypsum is poured into it to make a replica of the original model. This method is used to create subsequent molds as part of the inversion process. The subsequent molds can be used anytime for making castings of choice. The lost wax method is a popular method of inversion mold making.

Then there are high precision molds which are made created using a vacuum device. The mold is placed inside the vacuum chamber and the casting material – usually resin or other rubbers – is poured before being vacuumed so as to eliminate any possible defects and air bubbles.


BakeSil

Where to buy?


EnvironMolds offers a wide variety of silicone rubbers, both for mold making and casting purposes. First there is the standard silicone mold rubber that lends itself well for general mold making. Then there is the faster acting silicone mold for making quick impressions without using a mold box, called 5-Minute Mold Putty. In addition to this, there are food safe and skin safe silicone mold rubbers – BakeSil is FDA approved as food safe for making food molds and baking containers while LifeRite, can be used on the skin for life casting and duplicating body parts. And what tops the charts is SkinRite10 - a translucent silicone mold rubber which can be tinted and used for special effects and applications to duplicate skin surfaces, making it the ideal material for realistic masks apart from doll reborning.

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Poured Block vs. Blanket Molds

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , Sunday, July 18, 2021 4:06 AM

Molds can be made by different methods - some simple, others more complicated. Each technique has its own pros and cons and the choice will depend on the preference and dexterity of the artist.

A mold is the easiest way to reproduce just about anything. The mold is nothing but a negative copy of a model that captures all the surface details, right from size and shape to undercuts and indentations. This is used to make original copies that are also known as casts.

How to make a mold can seem quite intimidating at first. However, mold making is actually quite an interesting and fun activity. There are very many materials that can be used to make the mold with an equally varied array of techniques for making the mold. A block mold is the easiest method that is usually preferred by beginners while the blanket molds can get quite complicated at times, especially if the mold has to be made in parts.
 


Following is a look at the primary differences between a poured block mold and a poured blanket mold:


  • Making a poured block mold is quite easy and quick whereas a poured blanket mold can take quite some time and effort. The latter is an intricate task involving making a pour hole and spues which requires some practice to master.
  • Both types of molds call for some form of containment. A block mold is made in a mold box – a suitable container will also suffice here. Furthermore, it is quite easy to make a mold box from scratch too. On the other hand, a poured blanket mold entails the construction of a mold shell. This is again quite complicated, time-consuming and needs practice.
  • Poured blanket molds generally require less mold rubber than poured block molds. It can take three times or even more quantity of rubber to fill the mold box containing the model when making a poured blanket mold. The mold making space is quite restricted (between the model and shell mold) in a poured blanket mold and require very less material. Therefore, poured block molds turn out be much more cost-intensive which can prove to be a limiting factor.
  • A poured blanket mold is usually thinner and more flexible. This makes it much easier to demold a casting from a poured blanket mold than from a poured block mold.

This is why artists usually begin with the block mold method and with practice, move on to the poured blanket technique.

When looking for mold making materials to make either a block or blanket mold, do not forget to check out the array of options at EnvironMolds. The website https://www.artmolds.com is quite a treasure trove for mold makers and casting artists with its massive collection of materials, supplies, tools and equipment for making molds and casts. It even doubles up as a teacher and guide on mold making and casting by offering blogs, books, CDs and other instruction materials choc-a-bloc with handy tips and other useful information.
 

 

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Tips for Working with Materials

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , , , , , Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:56 AM

Mold making and casting is an easy job as long as you abide by the rules and instructions. Following are some useful tips that every artist should follow, irrespective of the type of mold or cast.

The world of mold making and casting opens up a veritable treasure trove of materials – each with their own specific characteristics, methods and usage. The commonly used options are clay, wax, alginate, moulage, plaster, gypsum, concrete, polyurethanes, rubbers, etc. Artists can try their hand at different materials and play around with different options depending on the type of mold or cast they are making.
 


Following are some general tips that beginners should keep in mind when working with almost any kind of material for making molds or casts:

  • Every packaged material comes with its own set of product literature like TDS (Technical Data Sheet), safety data sheet. Always read the label and other product information carefully before using the said product.
  • Work with materials that are already at room temperature and ensure that the room is at room temperature as well.
  • Stick to the prescribed methods and techniques – like mix ratio, type of release agents, compatible materials – at all times. At times, there may be other simple provisions that can make a world of difference. For instance, alginate requires the use of soft/bottled water; using hard water even unintentionally will render the material into a lumpy mess. It takes experience to deviate from the given methods to tinker with the viscosity or other features.
  • Some materials are suitable for certain applications and other options may not work as well, depending on the model, mold-making/casting material and other factors. Choose an appropriate material for the task. Seek advice from experts if needed.
  • Always shake or stir components thoroughly before use. Sludge can sit at the bottom of the box while oil tends to float on the top. Shaking before use followed by proper mixing of the components together is crucial.
  • Always mix a small amount as a batch test at first. It is better to get a feel for the material before mixing in large quantities for the project as it can end up as a time-consuming and expensive mistake.
  • First try your hand at making a small mold or casting, use a small object as a test model before moving on to larger molds or castings.
  • Keep the pot time and working time in mind. Avoid pouring delays as this will add to the working time and can affect the quality of the mold or cast.
  • Before pouring, check if the sealer and release agent have been used, if required. Also check the mold/mold box for leakage before pouring the material.
  • Wear gloves when working with any materials. Some materials may require the use of mouth mask, safety goggles and other additional protection.
  • Use clean and good tools for any project. Assemble the required tools and supplies before starting the work.
  • Follow the indicated set time and demold time to the T. Else, the mold or cast will end up distorted/deformed and unusable.
  • Do not hesitate to ask any questions to the experts about the clay mold, resin casting, cold casting, alginate life casting, etc.

All the best for your new project!

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Silicone Rubber - Different Faces and Usage

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , Tuesday, April 13, 2021 6:38 AM

Silicone rubber is a versatile material that is used for different purposes in both the art and manufacturing world. It displays many useful properties and comes in a few different types too.

Silicone rubber is a popular compound that enjoys widespread patronage across industries and applications. It is commonly used for bonding, sealing, potting, encapsulation, coating, mold making and casting works.

The main benefit is that silicone rubber molds that can be used for manufacturing different types of technical and mechanical parts for industry and medical devices. Apart from molds, silicone rubber is also used as a release agent, adhesive or the base material for the cast. It also functions well in the potting of electronic components in high-tech industrial and scientific equipment.

Artists normally use the rubber to make molds for toys, candles, soaps, food and baking containers apart from special effects. There is a special variety of silicone rubber that is safe for the skin and is used to make body molds.

The same rubber can be used to make casts too and is the material of choice for mask making and doll reborning.


Getting to know Silicone Rubber


RTV silicone rubber is commonly used for molding and casting projects. It delivers various useful properties like ease of use, flexible, tough, durable and tear resistant. This versatile material can reproduce almost anything without damaging the surface of the model. What’s more, the excellent mechanical properties and low surface tension enable it to replicate the mold without losing any of intricacies of the original - the minutest of details will be captured in the mold even down to the skin pores and fingerprints. It can even be cast in abrasive materials.

Silicone rubber formulas are remarkably stable in a wide temperature range and prove to be non-flammable and non-combustible. There is a good level of thermal conductivity too.

The room temperature vulcanizing rubber comes as a 2-part formula – one is the liquid base and the other is the catalyst. They have to be mixed in the specified proportion which can vary from formula to formula. The catalyst will react with the base to deliver the intended properties. It can even be customized to produce the required degree of viscosity and adherence along with varying mechanical, chemical or temperature resistance characteristics.

The rubber comes in two different types – addition cure and condensation cure. The primary difference is in the catalyst - Addition cure silicones use a platinum-based catalyst (usually 10%) while condensation cure silicones need a tin-based catalyst (usually 5%). They have different characteristics and usage and most importantly, are not compatible with each other.

EnvironMolds offers a broad range of materials, supplies, tools and equipment that include both silicone mold and casting rubbers. There are different formulae options to suit varying needs and preferences, like MoldRite 25 Silicone - Classic Mold Making Silicone, BluMold RTV Silicone, 5-Minute Mold Putty for Faster Mold Making, Food Safe Silicone -- BakeSil FDA Approved, LifeRite Skin Safe Silicone for Life Casting and SkinRite 10 Translucent Special F/X Silicone.

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Using Liquid Latex Casting Rubber

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , Tuesday, September 15, 2020 10:58 AM

EnvironMolds Premium Latex Casting Rubber is a consummate liquid latex formulation that serves well for varied applications. It can be used to make masks and other hollow items with different methods.

Liquid latex rubber is a popular material in the world of mold making and casting. It is tough, durable and tear resistant, apart from being an economical product. It is commonly used to make different types of molds for casting plaster, resin and other materials. The same material can also double up as a casting product, albeit in a less viscous form.

In fact, latex casting rubber is a popular theatrical product to create special effects like wrinkles, scars and gashes. It is also used to make all kinds of masks and other thin skin products.

EnvironMolds Premium Latex Casting Rubber is an exceptional casting rubber specifically formulated for making hollow molded rubber articles, toys and flexible props. It lends itself well for making masks, puppet heads, imitation pottery and display articles. It is especially useful for creating general special effects for film, television and stage work. Furthermore, the same product is considered appropriate for coating and texturing foams such as polystyrene, especially for special effects applications.

The liquid nature of latex casting rubbers makes it very easy to use. Pouring or painting are the common methods of making latex casts. All it takes is successive coats of the latex over or inside the mold to make the hollow or thin skinned rubber items. It is useful for making gloves, fake food and other such items.


On the other hand, artists usually pour the latex casting rubber directly into the mold. The mold is filled till the brim and the latex is allowed to sit for some time post which the rubber is poured back into its original container. A thin layer of latex clings to the sides and base of the mold. This sets like a skin overnight and can be demolded easily. This method is commonly used for making masks.

Apart from this, you can also simply dip the mold into the latex to form a coating. Each coat has to be allowed to dry before dipping again to build up the required thickness. In fact, EnvironMolds Premium Latex Casting Rubber serves well for dip casting and can be used to form a protective coating on tools.

These latex casts cannot be finished with regular paints as it will tend to chip, crack or peel away. Special latex paints and dyes are available. These can be added to the rubber before starting the casting process or painted on the cured surface later on.

Moreover, you can also use a filler and extender like RubRfil to control the level of flexibility of the latex rubber cast. In case the liquid latex is too viscous for a particular application, mixing the requisite quantity of RubRfil will thicken the rubber and render it less flexible, hard or even very hard. This also serves to extend the quantity of the material.

EnvironMolds Premium Latex Casting Rubber, RubRfil, latex pigments and other materials can be easily sourced from https://www.artmolds.com

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Eliminating Estimation in Material Calculations

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , Tuesday, August 18, 2020 8:58 AM

Why should artists rely on guesswork about the quantity or volume of materials required for making a mold or cast? EnvironMolds provides a Volume Calculator that throws up the exact amount needed.

There’s a lot of planning and coordination that goes into making a mold or cast. The artist has to not only choose the most suitable technique and material for making the mold/cast, but also assemble the requisite mold making or casting materials, supplies, tools and equipment.

 

For instance, making a block mold with silicone rubber will require plastic cups, gram scale, mixing sticks, electric mixer, mold box, release agent, glue gun, vacuum chamber and pump, gloves, knife, silicone rubber, etc.

While the artists pay careful attention to the requirements and collect the items before commencing the project, they rely on eyeball estimations for the amount of material they need to purchase or mix. For instance, if the artist mixes much more silicone rubber than actually required, the extra rubber will have to be thrown away – a sheer waste of money and resources. And if the rubber falls short, it will entail extra work of mixing more material or even rushing to the store to buy some more. The delay can even cause the artist to leave the project midway or if continued, mar the quality of the mold.

Newbie mold makers and casting artists are especially flummoxed about the amount of material they should use.

EnvironMolds comes to the rescue with a handy volume calculator on its website https://www.artmolds.com/volume-calculator. All the artist has to do is measure the dimensions of the mold box and model before feeding them in the calculator. A square or rectangular box requires the height, width and depth while cylindrical ones need the radius and height. The same rule applies for rectangular and cylindrical models respectively. Undercuts in the model can be ignored and the maximum outside dimensions will do.

This will throw up the net volume of the box, the model and finally the material needed. The calculator goes a step further and converts the net volume into the exact amount of rubber, plaster or resin required in grams or fluid ounces, as applicable.

For those who are looking for more detailed information on how to make molds and casts, EnvironMolds provides instructional books, videos, website links and blog posts as well.

 

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Backdating Mold Making and Casting

Posted by EnvironMolds , Labels: , , , , , , Tuesday, June 9, 2020 12:10 AM

The techniques of mold making and casting are nothing new. In fact, they emerged way back in the Neolithic times and gradually developed as the key for making most of the objects we use and enjoy today.

Mold making and casting procedures are used to make most of the things we use – from household goods and decorative items to industrial equipment and structural components. These techniques are especially popular in the world of art and design and are patronized by artists of various genres. They are commonly used for new artworks, art reproductions, sculpture making, ceramic works, garden statuary, candle making, props, masks and the like. The same are also applied for architectural restoration works, prototype tooling, taxidermy, fossil preservation, etc.



Not to mention the beautiful art of life casting. Indeed, life casts have emerged as a magnificent mode of creating a three-dimensional reproduction of the live human body. The regular techniques of making molds and casts are used with appropriate skin-safe materials to make body molds and life casts of the face, hands, feet, belly, torso or even the entire body. These are extremely popular for infants, friends, families, pregnant mothers and more. The same is also used for medical prosthetics, special effects, animatronics, etc.


The synthetic materials like polyurethane resin, latex rubber and silicone rubber may be new additions to the fold, but mold making and casting themselves are not contemporary techniques by a long shot. In fact, they date back to the prehistoric times when settlements were being established and agriculture came into being. The primitives slowly developed these processes to fabricate tools, equipment, jewelry and religious artifacts What’s more, the oldest surviving casting of a copper frog dates back to 3200 BC!

With the passage of time, these techniques were applied for making and reproducing artworks, especially sculptures. The introduction of hollow wax casting was the precursor to the highly prized Greek statues and Roman copies made later.

Clay and plaster continued to be the popular medium of making molds and casts down the ages. Gradually, art schools started teaching mold making and casting and used wood or terracotta also to make the molds. This led to the creation of iconic artworks that remain illustrious till date. Simultaneously, they were used for making pottery and ceramics as well.

These age-old processes finally made their way from the homes of royals, aristocrats and art aficionados to the foundries of today. The advent of industrialization witnessed a quick adoption for the mass production of regular objects in a range of styles. Injection molding was introduced in industries and new materials like plastics and polymers also came into being. Everyday items became inexpensive due to lower costs of production.



These techniques were progressively incorporated into the making of complicated automotive parts, equipment, machinery and even structures.

Indeed, from the simple molds and casts of ancient times to two part molds and cold casting for artworks to highly technical and complex processes in industries - mold making and casting have surely come a long way!

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