Modelling & Molding

Samaro is a distributor of products, materials and industrial equipment for the manufacture of models and mouldings. It has one of the most extensive ranges on the market. Epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, molding silicones, machinable boards, extrusion pastes, laminating pastes, epoxy gel coats... all these products are used in the production of models, molds or in the duplication of parts for prototyping and pre-production.
These products, of a very high standard of quality, are primarily intended for the trades of :

- Pattern makers
- Sculptors
- Moulders
- Prototypers
- Model makers
- Stylists
- Machinists

and find applications in sectors as varied as art, plastics, tooling, research or construction. Discover the different markets covered by Samaro!

Products adapted to all manufacturing techniques, from the most traditional to the most innovative

The variety of products distributed by Samaro meets all the techniques used to design and manufacture molds, models and impressions. The main manufacturing techniques, whether traditional or advanced, include
- Modeling
- Sculpting
- Flexible or rigid molding
- RIM (Reaction Injection Molding)
- Numerically controlled machining
- Rapid prototyping via 3D printing
- Vacuum casting
- Rapid set casting

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Modelling & Molding: Resins, Silicones and Machinable Boards

The manufacture of models, moulds and prototype parts requires careful material selection according to the process and the characteristics of the part to be produced.

Samaro distributes a comprehensive range of materials for industrial modelling and moulding, working with leading partners including Dow SILASTIC™, ARALDITE® by Huntsman, DUNA-Corradini and Synthene.

What is an RTV silicone?

RTV stands for Room Temperature Vulcanizing. An RTV silicone cures without requiring additional heat, either through contact with atmospheric moisture for one-component systems or by mixing two components for two-component systems.

Once cured, it forms a flexible elastomer offering good release properties as well as chemical and thermal resistance.

The Dow SILASTIC™ range is a leading reference for RTV mould-making silicones, offering low shrinkage, excellent reproduction of fine details and compatibility with a wide range of casting materials including resins, waxes, plasters and polyurethanes.

What product families are available for modelling and moulding?

Samaro’s modelling and moulding portfolio covers five main material families.

RTV mould-making silicones

SILASTIC™ mould-making silicones from Dow are available in addition-cure systems, using platinum-catalysed crosslinking without by-products, and condensation-cure systems.

Addition-cure formulations offer low shrinkage, high elasticity and temperature resistance up to 200°C according to the systems described in the source document. These properties make them suitable for rapid prototyping, vacuum casting, aerospace composite moulds and the reproduction of architectural components.

SILASTIC™ RTV-4234-T4 is a reference solution for vacuum casting applications with Synthene PR7 resins.
SILASTIC™ RTV-4136-M is suited to prototyping and architectural reproduction applications.
SILASTIC™ RTV-3481 is used for high-fidelity reproduction of art objects, figurines and detailed parts.

Epoxy resins for modelling and moulding

Epoxy tooling and casting resins cover applications ranging from structural moulding to composite tooling.

Hand laminating and infusion systems can be used to manufacture rigid, high-performance moulds. Epoxy gel coats, casting resins and laminating pastes complete the range for surface finishing and master model production.

ARALDITE® resin technologies address the requirements of aerospace and high-performance composite applications.

When working on a modelling or moulding project, I first look at the process and the expected result: level of detail, mould rigidity or flexibility, temperature, number of reproductions, casting material and demoulding requirements. An RTV silicone, a casting resin or a machinable board will address very different needs. Our role is to identify the system that best matches both the part to be manufactured and the process being used.

Dorian Bouchardon

Brand Manager – Modelling, Moulding & Composites

Visit Dorian's LinkedIn page Discuss your application

DUNA-Corradini machinable boards

DUNA-Corradini machinable boards are high- or low-density polyurethane blocks designed for CNC machining.

Available in different densities according to dimensional requirements and machining conditions, including milling and high-speed machining, they offer good dimensional stability and a finished surface ready for moulding or painting.

They are used to manufacture models, jigs, fixtures and moulding masters in industries including aerospace, automotive and industrial design.

Synthene vacuum casting resins

Synthene is one of the Samaro solutions for polyurethane vacuum casting resins used for prototyping and small production runs.

The range can simulate the behaviour of several common thermoplastic materials, including ABS, PP, HDPE, PC, PMMA and rubber.

It is particularly suited to the production of:

appearance models for design and aesthetic validation;
semi-functional prototypes;
duplication of stereolithography or 3D-printed master parts;
pre-production validation parts;
small production runs of functional components.

According to the source document, some formulations offer specific properties such as UV resistance, temperature resistance up to 150°C or UL94-5V performance for applications with specific safety requirements.

The Synthene PR7 range can be combined with SILASTIC™ silicone moulds to create a complete vacuum casting system.

Extrudable pastes and gel coats

Extrudable pastes can be used to create complex shapes by direct application.

Laminating pastes can be used for filling and finishing composite surfaces, while ARALDITE® epoxy gel coats provide a smooth surface as the first layer of the finished part.

Which industries use modelling and moulding materials?

Samaro’s modelling and moulding materials address applications across a wide range of industries:

Aerospace: composite tooling and mould applications;
Automotive: prototypes and production parts;
Industrial design: high-fidelity reproduction and model making;
Foundry: casting moulds and patterns;
Art and heritage: reproduction of objects and sculptures;
Construction: architectural moulds and decorative concrete.

Solutions available from Samaro

Dow SILASTIC™
A comprehensive range of addition- and condensation-cure RTV mould-making silicones, including SILASTIC™ RTV-4234-T4, RTV-4136-M and RTV-3481.

ARALDITE® / Huntsman
Epoxy casting, laminating and gel coat resins as well as syntactic resin systems for composite tooling and structural moulding.

DUNA-Corradini
High- and low-density polyurethane machinable boards for CNC machining and the production of models, jigs, fixtures and moulding masters.

Synthene
PR7 polyurethane resins for vacuum casting and the simulation of materials such as ABS, PP, PC and rubber.

To explore these technologies further, discover our pages dedicated to SILASTIC™ RTV mould-making silicones, epoxy resins for modelling and moulding and ARALDITE® composite resins, as well as our DUNA-Corradini and Synthene solutions.

Our technical team can help you select materials suited to your manufacturing process.

How do you choose a material for a model or mould?

The choice depends on the manufacturing process, part geometry, required level of detail, temperature and number of reproductions. RTV silicone, epoxy resin, casting resin and machinable board technologies address different requirements.

What viscosity and hardness should you choose for an RTV moulding silicone?

Viscosity affects how easily the silicone flows into fine details, while hardness influences mould flexibility and demoulding behaviour. Both parameters should be selected according to the part geometry and the material that will be cast into the mould.

How do you choose the density of a machinable board?

Board density should be selected according to the intended use, mechanical loads, required dimensional accuracy and machining conditions. The choice between low- and high-density boards therefore depends on the tooling or model specifications.

When should vacuum casting be used for prototyping?

Vacuum casting is particularly suited to prototype duplication, pre-production parts and small production runs made from a master model. Polyurethane casting resins can also be selected to simulate different thermoplastic material behaviours.

How many parts can be produced from an RTV silicone mould?

There is no universal number. Mould life depends on the silicone system, part geometry, casting material, processing temperature and stresses generated during demoulding. Testing under actual process conditions is the best way to qualify the system.

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