While every material takes a specific time to cure, the window gets affected by temperature and humidity. Therefore, these factors can be played around with to accelerate the normal cure time.
There is a lot that goes into making a mold or cast. Every small detail matters - right from choosing the appropriate materials and mixing them properly to using a suitable technique and following it correctly. The curing also requires particular attention.
It is normal practice to touch the mold or cast to check whether it has dried or not. However, a dry mold or cast has merely set and is yet to cure properly!
Indeed, curing takes time and the demolded object has to be allowed to cure before using it for any purpose. The cure time varies from material and material – it can range from a couple of hours to a day or two as well. Moreover, the cure is affected by the temperature of the surroundings as well. Generally, colder temperatures delay the cure time of most resins and rubbers. Some may even fail to cure at all in case the environment is too cold.
Similarly, humidity also has to be factored in when considering how much time it will take for a mold or cast to cure. Most materials prefer dry environments and the presence of moisture can again delay the cure window.
It follows that these factors can be manipulated to some extent to accelerate the curing of a mold or cast. For instance, introducing dry heat can drastically cut down the cure time by half or even more.
Playing with heat!
Mold makers and casting artists often subject their creations to mild heat to reduce the cure window so that they can quickly get on with the follow-up tasks. This can range from exposing the mold or cast to sunlight to using a hair dryer, heat lamp or oven.
An oven is the best bet here as the heating has to be applied uniformly all over the mold/cast. Use an industrial oven and not a kitchen one; the latter is risky and can lead to accidents. Heat lamps can also lead to scorching or burning if not used carefully. A couple of them have to be positioned at a safe distance all around the mold/cast to ensure safe and even heating.
Points to ponder:
Last but not the least; always allow the mold/cast to cool down to room temperature before use.
EnvironMolds offers a range of materials, supplies, tools and equipment for mold making and casting. The art supplier is dedicated to the arts and also provides access to a range of tips, information and guidelines for making molds, casts and life casts. Personal assistance is available as well.
There is a lot that goes into making a mold or cast. Every small detail matters - right from choosing the appropriate materials and mixing them properly to using a suitable technique and following it correctly. The curing also requires particular attention.
It is normal practice to touch the mold or cast to check whether it has dried or not. However, a dry mold or cast has merely set and is yet to cure properly!
Indeed, curing takes time and the demolded object has to be allowed to cure before using it for any purpose. The cure time varies from material and material – it can range from a couple of hours to a day or two as well. Moreover, the cure is affected by the temperature of the surroundings as well. Generally, colder temperatures delay the cure time of most resins and rubbers. Some may even fail to cure at all in case the environment is too cold.
Similarly, humidity also has to be factored in when considering how much time it will take for a mold or cast to cure. Most materials prefer dry environments and the presence of moisture can again delay the cure window.
It follows that these factors can be manipulated to some extent to accelerate the curing of a mold or cast. For instance, introducing dry heat can drastically cut down the cure time by half or even more.
Playing with heat!
Mold makers and casting artists often subject their creations to mild heat to reduce the cure window so that they can quickly get on with the follow-up tasks. This can range from exposing the mold or cast to sunlight to using a hair dryer, heat lamp or oven.
An oven is the best bet here as the heating has to be applied uniformly all over the mold/cast. Use an industrial oven and not a kitchen one; the latter is risky and can lead to accidents. Heat lamps can also lead to scorching or burning if not used carefully. A couple of them have to be positioned at a safe distance all around the mold/cast to ensure safe and even heating.
Points to ponder:
- Tin catalyzed silicones cannot be heat cured as such because the temperature does not have a major effect on the curing.
- While most molds and casts can be left to cure after demolding, some complicated shapes need to be cured with the model/mold itself to avoid distortion.
Last but not the least; always allow the mold/cast to cool down to room temperature before use.
EnvironMolds offers a range of materials, supplies, tools and equipment for mold making and casting. The art supplier is dedicated to the arts and also provides access to a range of tips, information and guidelines for making molds, casts and life casts. Personal assistance is available as well.