Silicone is an excellent material when you want to produce detailed and affordable products faster. You can still face some difficulties when you’re looking to create your molds. Working with 3D silicone molds is a viable solution, as the creation process is much more implied thanks to 3D printing technology.

What Makes Silicone Ideal for Mold Making?

You may be wondering why silicone is such a big deal these days and what it offers that it’s so unique from other rubber substances. Silicone is known among science guys as “polysiloxane,” the material comes from the elastomer family, which has elastic and low-hardness properties. Here’s a quick look at the best properties of silicone when used for 3D silicone molds:

Cost efficiency

When you compare it with wood or metals, silicone rubber is probably the most expensive rubber you can find and the cheapest material to work with. The size of your project always determines the cost of a batch of silicone. The number of products you aim to create also factors in. Different vendors have diverse offerings with varying quality and shipping conditions.

Elasticity

Silicone has shown a range of elasticity starting at 30% and as far as 1200%. It depends on the formula used and the mix created for specific parts. The proper elasticity makes it easy to come off the cast once the product is finished. Your product won’t have any damage, such as cracks or crevices. The finished surface tends to be clean, smooth, and seamless.

Durability

The silicone used for 3D silicone molds has decent tensile strength, is tear-resistant, and can endure longer fatigue cycles, making it a reusable material that you can repurpose for multiple quality molds. The material becomes highly durable when handled and cured at high temperatures. Silicone also has some unique mechanical properties, with the material having a natural resistance to microbiological growth and proving to be impervious to most chemical reactions, as well as the effects of longtime UV light exposure. Oxygen and ozone degradation can’t make a dent, making silicone the best option for food safety or medical appliances.

Stability

A well-made 3D silicone mold shows an increased stability level compared to other polymers. Maintaining its constant properties from -100°C to 300°C, silicone won’t deform or crack, regardless of the temperature-wise end spectrum, you put it. Silicone is a top choice for insulation since it can stretch with great force and won’t break easily. This makes the material more than ideal for mold making since you can get hot castings, baking trays, or freezing containers for liquids.

Watertight

Silicone has perfect sealant properties, which are ideal for retaining liquid casting materials. This is desirable when handling liquid resins and aims to reduce leaks and seam messes. Another great property is how silicone is gas-permeable, and thanks to its low toxicity, you don’t get any form of contamination.