What is the difference between plastic molds and silicone molds

Moulds (or dies, spelling) were popular in Victorian times when dishes were popularized by delicious chicken and ham tarts, sherry-soaked calf's foot jellies, and sweet, palate-cleansing white mangoes. Copper Moulds were a priority for wealthy cooks, and pewter Moulds shaped like Solomon's Temple appeared in humble kitchens.

 

Understanding the difference between plastic and silicone Moulds is crucial to getting the results you want. Both types of Moulds can be made with a variety of resins, but understanding the limitations of each is key to ensuring the results you want.

 

Plastic resin Moulds.

These reusable resin Moulds are usually made of polypropylene or polyethylene sheet plastic. They are typically made from a template and are partially flexible.

 

The advantages are.

Inexpensive. Plastic resin Moulds typically cost less than $10 each. (Many are less than $5.) When a mould is damaged, you usually won't have to pay a lot of money to replace it.

Easier to work with. Plastic Moulds are a great place for beginners to start. They are much easier to release and care for than silicone Moulds.

 

Disadvantages.

Castings are not likely to be shiny and bright. When removed from the mould, the surface of the casting that touches the mould's character may not be as polished as you want it to be. Requires reapplication of resin, or spraying with a glossy sealer for polish.

 

It is easy to scratch. Plastic is flexible, but softness can easily damage the surface. If care is not taken, toothpicks or nails, etc. can leave visible gouges.

 

Hard to make your own. 

Making your plastic Moulds requires vacuum forming the plastic sheet around the template, which requires specialized equipment.

Silicone Moulds.

These reusable Moulds are made of two parts silicone and can last for years if cared for properly.

 

Pros.

Very flexible. Compared to plastic Moulds, silicone Moulds can make complex castings that are easily disassembled.

Custom Moulds. You can buy your two-part silicone and make what you want (assuming a model is available).

The castings may have a glossy finish. In this case, maybe because the original mould used to make the mould shall be shiny. If it is (like our geometric silicone Moulds), your casting should be just as polished as the original mould.

 

The downside is.

Expensive stuff. Silicone Moulds can cost two to three times as much as plastic Moulds.

Requires more care. Silicone Moulds should always be cleaned after use and stored flat in a cool, dry place.

Pressure casting may be required. Unless an exact silicone mould is used, all air bubbles in the resin may not be visible when casting the resin into the silicone. You may need to use a pressure casting device to ensure that all air bubbles are dealt with before the wax begins to cure.

 

So which resin mould should you choose?

Any of them will give you great results. Choose the style and shape you like and start creating!

Are you confused by all the resin information? It's like you've spent countless hours reading about how to make something in resin, but you don't think you're close to anything, to begin with. I get it! Resin supplies can be expensive, not to mention wasting an afternoon making something for nothing that you won't show anyone.

How are silicone Moulds maintained?

There's nothing more exciting than getting your gorgeous new Moulds! However, it is essential to take care of the Moulds to ensure long life and make the best copies possible.

However, it is essential to take care of the Moulds to ensure a long life span. We have collected some useful tips to ensure that your Moulds last a long time, live a happy life, and hope you find it helpful.

The first thing to note is that Moulds are prone to decay; they don't last forever and eventually wear out, even with the best care. Because they are used to create artwork, the mould's integrity will wear away, especially if there are a lot of small details. The more you take care of your silicone Moulds, the longer they will last, but over time, they will "dull", meaning that the sharp edges on the mould's small details will be lost. It is important to note that this is entirely normal and can be significantly alleviated with proper care, but it will not stop.

 

Release agents.

Silicone is a non-stick primer, a coating on a frying pan, and is most effective when new. New Moulds work very well the first few times they are used, but you may find that the mould can be more challenging to remove or take more time; generally, this is because manufacturers use silicone mould release agents during the production process so that the mould can be easily removed during the casting project without damaging the new mould. Mould release agents come in both liquid and spray forms, depending on what you want to mould, depending on what works for you. For smaller, more complex Moulds, such as dice Moulds and vibrating Moulds, use a liquid silicone mould release agent and apply a skinny layer 10 minutes before pouring in any resin, using cotton wool buds to make sure you apply too much and all the little crevices are coated. Using a small amount of release agent in a thin layer will extend the life of the mould and make the release process more comfortable.

 

Soap and water.

This is probably one of the essential rules of mould care. Keep your Moulds clean! Leave glitter, excess resin and other items in the mould that are difficult to remove over time. Take care of your mould, and it will last longer.

You can clean the mould with a small amount of dish soap and warm water before casting, be careful not to overstretch the decay when washing in a remote area or it may be damaged. Don't use cotton, sponge, toothbrush and other abrasive things. This is because tears and damage to the silicon surface can affect future casting. Damaged spots on the silicon mould can create untreated holes to which the material sticks and tear the mould when released.

 

Use lighters, flames and heat.

While many guides and Youtube videos will tell you to run a torch or heat gun over your mould to remove excess air bubbles, it is highly recommended that you do not do this. Silicone can handle the high temperatures generated during the curing process but is not designed to withstand the fire's heat.

 

Repeated use of this method in silicone Moulds will destroy the silicone and eventually fuse with the epoxy to destroy it. Silicone can withstand temperatures above 200 degrees (400 degrees), and lighters and torches can give off much higher temperatures.

 

If there are air bubbles, the best way is to heat the resin by pouring it into a separate container and then into the silicone mould. Also, running from a high point will help eliminate air bubbles when pouring.

 

Demolding.

So, following the above steps, now plan to remove the resin casting!

Some Moulds can be used with small gaps to remove large resin pieces such as dice Moulds. It is essential not to overstretch the mold when removing the parts. This is because it will dull the interior surface and start to tear, shortening the die's life.

 

Let's take a sharp-edged dice to die as an example because it may be difficult to remove. If you have used a release, then the process is more straightforward, and we have found that after applying the right amount of pressure to the bottom, the dice pop out without much hassle, limiting the stretch time and putting very little pressure on the die. If not used before, another method is to place the die in hot soapy water and gently pull the edges apart while applying pressure to the bottom.

After demolding, wash the mould thoroughly with hot soapy water and place it in a warm place to dry.

 

Layering.

When using AB epoxy, depending on the product, do not want to exceed 1/4" to 1/2" depending on the product specifications. Some products are designed to be poured heavily, but not all products are usually particular resin types.

If poured too thickly, the risk is that the casting will boil due to an exothermic reaction, which occurs when the epoxy cures and destroys the casting, as described above for mould designs.

 

"I've got resin stuck in the mould!

First, don't panic. Take a deep breath and a few things - first check the curing time, is it long enough? Also, please note that the room temperature where you are casting will affect the curing time. If you threw in a cold room, the curing time of the resin would increase significantly.

This is the most common reason to wait for a longer curing time, and increasing the temperature will affect if the casting remains stubborn.

Throwing the mould into the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes will not harm the mould and make the release more straightforward. If you have no luck and all seems lost, be very careful to employ a craft knife and move the mould between the resin and silicone around it, this will allow air into the mould and can release the wax, but this should be an absolute last resort as it may cause damage to your mould.

 

Fude Moulds - frequently asked questions.

Many of the frequently asked questions about our silicone Moulds, printing Moulds and inserts have been answered below. If your question is not answered here, please contact us, and we will respond promptly.

 

1. Are your silicone Moulds safe for food?

That's right. That's right. All of our silicone Moulds, impression pads and inlays are made from silicone that meets all FDA regulations specified by the Food and Drug Administration in 21CFR177.2600. Our silicone is also tested for extraction by an FDA-approved independent laboratory. This testing certifies explicitly that our Moulds are safe for water-based foods and foods containing fat.

2. Can you use non-food materials for your Moulds?

Yes, our silicone Moulds, printing Moulds and inlays can also be used with other malleable materials such as polymers and precious metal clays, waxes, plasters, plastic casting resins, cement, low melting point metals, sculptures and clays, melt and pour and lye soaps, paper pulp, hot glue, etc. However, if the mould is used for non-food applications, do not use the mould for food. The Moulds used for food can only be used for this purpose and are not interchangeable with non-food Moulds.

3. How long will my silicone Moulds last?

Fude Silicon Moulds are commercial moulds, and their toughness ensures reliability and durability. That said, many things can affect the lifespan of a silicone mould. What is the purpose of the mould? Have they been cleaned and stored correctly? How often has the mould been used? The more often a mould is used, the more wear and tear it will experience. Proper care can help your Moulds stay in good condition for a long time. Improper maintenance can cause more damage to your mould.

4. How should I clean my Moulds?

Our silicone Moulds, printing Moulds and inlays can be cleaned with hot water and mild soap or boiling water. They can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. Do not wash Fude Silicon Moulds with abrasive cleaning pads and detergents (Ajax detergent, etc.).

5. How should I store my Moulds?

Before storing your Moulds, you must clean them. Silicon Moulds, printing Moulds and inlays should be stored flat, packaged, or in food storage containers. Do not keep anything on them that may become heavy or deformed, as this will affect the mould's integrity and may change the natural shape.

6. What is the temperature range of Fude Silicon Moulds?

Our silicone Moulds, printing mats and inlays can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. They can also be kept in the refrigerator without damage or loss of flexibility.

7. Can your products be shipped outside of the United States?

Yes, our products can be shipped anywhere in the world. In general, we send international packages through the U.S. Postal Service.

We are professional candy Silicone Moulds manufacturer.I hope you find these tips useful. Please don't hesitate to ask questions if there are any. Please Click here to contact the fude team. We are happy to help you.