Silicone soft molds are versatile tools used in prototype production, crafts, и промышленное производство, valued for their flexibility, detail-retaining ability, and compatibility with various casting materials (НАПРИМЕР., смола, полиуретан). Однако, choosing the right type and mastering curing processes are critical to avoiding defects like incomplete hardening or low durability. This article breaks down silicone soft mold types, curing technologies, Ключевые влиятельные факторы, and practical applications—with clear comparisons and tips to help you optimize mold performance.
1. Types of Silicone Soft Molds: Match to Your Needs
Silicone soft molds are categorized by curing temperature and functional requirements. Each type has unique traits suited to specific scenarios.
| Тип плесени | Curing Temperature Range | Основные характеристики | Идеальные приложения |
| Room-Temperature Curing (РТВ) | 20°С–25°С | – No heating equipment needed; simple to operate.- Более длительное время отверждения (12–24 часа, varies by thickness/humidity).- Gentle on temperature-sensitive materials (НАПРИМЕР., воск, certain plastics). | Small-batch crafts (jewelry wax models), small prototype replication (НАПРИМЕР., TV remote button panels), instructional demonstrations, and low-volume art pieces. |
| Heating-Curing (HTV) | 60°C–120°C | – Heating accelerates curing (1–3 часа), shortening production cycles.- Enhances physical properties: более высокая твердость, better abrasion/tear resistance.- Requires thermostatic ovens or heating tools. | Industrial-grade production (auto parts, electronic device shells like TV back covers), high-frequency mold use (НАПРИМЕР., 50+ циклы кастинга), and molds needing fast turnaround. |
| Low-Temperature Fast-Curing | 0°C–10°C (refrigeration required) | – Cures quickly in cold environments (several hours to 10+ часы).- Resists low-temperature brittleness. | Cold-region manufacturing, emergency mold repairs (НАПРИМЕР., fixing a damaged TV prototype mold), and projects where room-temperature curing is impractical. |
| High-Temperature Resistant | 80°C–120°C (выклятый); 200° C - 300 ° C. (service temperature) | – Cures like standard heating-curing molds but retains performance at extreme high temperatures.- Отличная тепловая стабильность; no deformation under prolonged high heat. | Аэрокосмические компоненты, Автомобильные детали двигателя (НАПРИМЕР., heat-resistant gaskets), and high-temperature casting (НАПРИМЕР., metal-alloy prototypes). |
Сравнение ключей: For TV prototype production—if you need to replicate small, подробные части (НАПРИМЕР., интерфейсные панели) without damaging the master model, choose RTV. For industrial-scale TV back cover mold replication (100+ единицы), HTV is better for speed and durability.
2. Процесс отверждения: Step-by-Step Optimization
Proper curing operation directly impacts mold quality. Below is a linear guide to RTV and HTV curing—with critical do’s and don’ts.
2.1 Room-Temperature Curing (РТВ) Процесс
- Подготовка: Ensure the work area is dry and ventilated (влажность <60%)—excess moisture causes incomplete curing (mold remains sticky).
- Смешивание: Stir silicone base and catalyst (соотношение 10:1, per manufacturer instructions) slowly to avoid air bubbles.
- Залив: Pour the mixture over the master model (НАПРИМЕР., a TV button prototype) in a thin, steady stream to minimize bubble formation.
- Выклятый: Let stand at 20°C–25°C for 12–24 hours. For thick molds (>5mm), extend curing time by 6–8 hours to ensure full hardening.
- Демольд: Only remove the master model once the mold is fully cured—premature demolding leads to deformation (НАПРИМЕР., a TV interface mold losing slot details).
2.2 Heating-Curing (HTV) Процесс
- Подготовка: Используйте thermostatic oven (temperature accuracy ±2°C) to avoid local overheating.
- Смешивание: Same as RTV, but use HTV-specific silicone (Более высокая теплостойкость).
- Залив: Fill the mold frame and tap gently to release air bubbles.
- Staged Heating:
- Preheat at 60°C for 30 минуты (evaporates residual moisture).
- Gradually raise to target temperature (НАПРИМЕР., 80°C for TV frame molds) and hold for 1–2 hours.
- Avoid rapid temperature spikes (causes mold cracking).
- Охлаждение & Демольд: Let the mold cool to 40°C–50°C before demolding—cold molds are brittle and prone to breakage.
3. Factors Affecting Silicone Soft Mold Curing
Four key factors determine curing quality—ignoring them can lead to weak molds or production delays.
| Фактор | How It Impacts Curing | Practical Tips to Mitigate Risks |
| Silicone Brand/Model | Formulas vary by manufacturer (НАПРИМЕР., Dow Corning, Wacker, local brands). RTV vs. HTV silicones have different catalyst ratios and temperature sensitivities. | – Always follow the manufacturer’s manual (НАПРИМЕР., a Wacker HTV silicone may require 90°C instead of 60°C).- Test a small sample first if using a new brand. |
| Mold Size & Толщина | Thicker molds (>5мм) ловушка тепла, requiring higher temperatures or longer curing times. Маленький, thin molds (<2мм) cure faster but are prone to under-hardening. | – For thick molds (НАПРИМЕР., a 10mm TV base mold): Increase HTV curing time by 30 minutes or raise temperature by 10°C.- For thin molds: Use a humidity-controlled room for RTV to avoid uneven curing. |
| Auxiliary Additives | Catalysts speed up curing (but excess causes brittleness); diluents reduce viscosity (but overuse weakens mold strength); pigments may affect curing uniformity. | – Use additives at recommended ratios (НАПРИМЕР., 1% catalyst for RTV).- Avoid mixing multiple additives (НАПРИМЕР., catalyst + diluent) unless tested. |
| Условия окружающей среды | – Влажность (>60% for RTV): Causes surface stickiness.- Airflow (insufficient for RTV): Slows curing.- Temperature fluctuations (for HTV): Leads to uneven hardening. | – Use dehumidifiers for RTV in humid areas.- Ensure HTV ovens have stable temperature control (no more than ±2°C variation). |
4. Практические приложения: From Crafts to Industry
Silicone soft molds excel in scenarios requiring detail retention and flexibility. Below are common use cases with TV prototype production examples.
4.1 Craft & Маленькая партийная производство
- Jewelry Making: RTV molds replicate intricate wax models (НАПРИМЕР., gemstone settings) without damaging delicate details.
- Искусство & Декор: Low-temperature curing molds create resin sculptures with complex textures (НАПРИМЕР., marble patterns).
4.2 Прототип производства
- TV Prototype Parts:
- RTV molds replicate small TV components (НАПРИМЕР., remote control shells, button prototypes) with high detail accuracy (± 0,1 мм).
- HTV molds produce durable molds for TV back cover prototypes—supporting 50+ casting cycles with minimal wear.
- Электроника: Формы для смартфонов, laptop keyboard caps, and other small electronic parts.
4.3 Industrial Production
- Автомобиль: HTV molds make rubber gaskets and plastic interior parts (НАПРИМЕР., Компоненты приборной панели).
- Аэрокосмическая: High-temperature resistant molds cast heat-resistant parts (НАПРИМЕР., прокладки двигателя) that withstand 250°C+ environments.
5. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Silicone Soft Molds
В Yigu Technology, мы нашли это 80% of silicone mold issues stem from mismatched mold types or improper curing. Для клиентов-прототипов телевизоров, we often recommend RTV for initial small-batch tests (НАПРИМЕР., 5–10 interface panel replicas)—it’s cost-effective and gentle on 3D-printed master models. For clients scaling to 50+ TV prototype parts, we switch to HTV with staged heating (60°C preheat → 90°C cure) to boost mold durability. A recent case: a client using RTV for TV frame molds faced frequent tearing after 10 cycles—switching to HTV extended mold life to 60+ цикл, cutting rework costs by 40%. Our key advice: Prioritize understanding your project’s volume, temperature needs, and detail requirements—this ensures you pick the right mold type and avoid unnecessary delays.
6. Часто задаваемые вопросы: Common Questions About Silicone Soft Molds
1 квартал: Why is my room-temperature curing silicone mold still sticky after 24 часы?
А1: This is usually caused by high humidity (>60%) or incomplete mixing (uneven catalyst distribution). Исправляет: Move the mold to a dry, вентилируемая область (Используйте осушитель) for 6–8 more hours; if mixing was the issue, re-mix a new batch with precise catalyst ratios (follow the manual).
2 квартал: Can I use a heating-curing silicone mold for temperature-sensitive master models (НАПРИМЕР., wax TV prototypes)?
А2: No—HTV’s curing temperature (60°C–120°C) will melt or deform wax, пластик, or other heat-sensitive materials. Use RTV instead—it cures at room temperature and won’t damage the master model.
Q3: How can I extend the lifespan of my silicone soft mold?
А3: – For HTV molds: Avoid exceeding their service temperature (НАПРИМЕР., don’t use a standard HTV mold for 200°C applications).- Clean molds with mild soap and water after each use (avoid harsh solvents that break down silicone).- Store molds in a cool, сухое место (вдали от прямого солнечного света) to prevent aging and brittleness.