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.
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.