How to Make Rubber Molding Compound
Rubber has come to refer to several kinds of material, anything from the natural rubber that comes from a plant to the synthetic silicone rubbers manufactured by companies. This latter product is what most hobbyists use to make rubber molds these days. Silicone rubber molds are flexible and the mixing process to create it is fast and easy. Even better, the silicone does not require a mold release to keep it from sticking to your prototype.
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Instructions
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Spread a layer of newspaper over your work surface. Don a pair of gloves and a face mask. Open the silicone rubber kit and place the two bottles that come with it next to a bucket. These bottles contain chemicals that, when mixed together, will form your rubber.
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Pour an equal amount from each bottle into separate buckets. Pour the contents of each bucket together into a third bucket.
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Stir the mixture for a full minute using a mixing rod. Inspect the mixture to make sure that it is an even, unified color. If there are streaks, continue to stir it until they disappear.
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Your rubber is now ready to pour over a prototype. Make sure that the prototype is in a waterproof container, so your rubber does not leak onto the floor. Your rubber will need time to cure into its solid, rubbery form. The time this takes is variable and depends on your brand, but it can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep uncured rubber compounds away from pets and children as they are toxic.
References
- Photo Credit louche silicone image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
