Silicone for Plaster & Porcelain Plaster - Making Plaster Molds
Professional Silicone for Plaster and Porcelain Plaster Molds
Discover our extensive range of silicones for plaster molds , specially selected for creating high-quality molds for plaster, porcelain plaster, cement, concrete, and related casting materials. Our silicones offer excellent detail reproduction, durability, and easy demoulding for perfect plaster casts.
Why Silicone for Plaster Molds?
Silicone is the ideal material for plaster molds because:
- Water resistance - No reaction with damp plaster materials
- Flexibility - Easily deformable without damaging delicate details
- Non-stick coating - Plaster comes off effortlessly without release agent
- Detail rendering - Reproduces finest textures and ornaments
- Sustainability - Hundreds of casts possible per mold
- Dimensional stability - Minimal shrinkage for accurate reproductions
- Chemical resistance - Resistant to alkaline gypsum materials
Recommended Silicones for Plaster and Porcelain Plaster
RTV Silicone (Room Temperature Vulcanizing)
Platinum-catalyzed RTV silicone is the best choice for plaster molds:
- Shore A 15-25 - Soft, flexible silicone for complex ornaments and undercuts
- Shore A 30-35 - Versatile hardness for most plaster applications
- Shore A 40-50 - Stronger molds for large plaster casts and production
Polytek Silicone for Plaster
- Polytek TinSil 80 series - Economical tin-silicone for large plaster molds
- Polytek PlatSil Gel series - Platinum silicone for superior detail rendering
- Polytek PolyGel - Gel silicone for brush molds on large objects
- Polytek Poly 74 series - Versatile polyurethane rubbers as an alternative
Wacker and CHT Silicones
- Wacker Elastosil M - Professional quality for architectural reproductions
- CHT Silicone - Reliable performance for plaster crafts
- Zhermack Elite Double - Precision silicone for fine details
How to Make a Silicone Plaster Mold?
Method 1: Block Mold
The most commonly used method for plaster molds:
- Preparation - Place your master model (original object) in a leak-proof container
- Attachment - Glue the model to the base with hot glue or double-sided tape
- Distance - Allow at least 10-15mm of silicone around the model
- Release agent - Apply a release agent to porous models if necessary
- Mixing - Mix silicone A and B components in the correct ratio (usually 1:1 or 10:1)
- Bleeding - Remove air bubbles with vacuum chamber for optimal detail reproduction
- Pouring - Pour slowly from the highest point, let the silicone flow naturally
- Curing - Allow to cure for 16-24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C)
- Demolding - Remove the mold and cut a casting opening if necessary
Method 2: Brush-On Mold
Ideal for large sculptures, reliefs and architectural elements:
- Preparation - Clean and dry the master model thoroughly
- Release agent - Apply release agent to porous surfaces
- First layer - Brush a thin layer of silicone over the model (detail layer)
- Air Bubbles - Work carefully to avoid air bubbles
- Reinforce - Add fiberglass or cotton cloth between layers for strength
- Build up - Apply 3-5 coats to a total thickness of 5-10mm
- Mother mold - Make a support mold from plaster, plastic or wood
- Registration Points - Add alignment marks to the parent shape
Method 3: Two-Part Mold
For 3D objects and sculptures:
- Parting Plane - Determine where the mold will split (usually center)
- First Half - Cover half of the model with clay up to the parting line
- Registration Points - Make semi-circular depressions in the clay for perfect alignment
- Malbox - Build a container around the model
- First Pour - Pour the first half of the mold
- Release - Apply release agent to cured silicone
- Remove Clay - Remove all clay from the model
- Second Pour - Pour the second half of the mold
- Pouring Port - Add a funnel for easy pouring
Working with Different Plaster Materials
Porcelain Plaster (Casting Plaster)
Fine plaster for detailed casts:
- Mixing ratio: 100 parts plaster to 35-40 parts water
- Curing time: 20-30 minutes
- Ideal for: Statues, ornaments, decorative elements
- Silicone hardness: Shore A 25-35 recommended
Modeling Plaster
Stronger plaster for functional objects:
- Mixing ratio: 100 parts plaster to 30-35 parts water
- Curing time: 15-25 minutes
- Ideal for: Architectural elements, molds, prototypes
- Silicone hardness: Shore A 30-40 recommended
Ceramic Plaster
Very strong plaster for ceramic molds:
- Mixing ratio: 100 parts plaster to 28-32 parts water
- Curing time: 20-30 minutes
- Ideal for: Slip casting molds, ceramic production
- Silicone hardness: Shore A 35-45 recommended
Cement and Concrete
For architectural and garden elements:
- Use firmer silicone (Shore A 40-50)
- Apply release agent for easy demolding
- Consider polyurethane rubbers for very large molds
Tips for Perfect Plaster Molds
- Venting - Add small channels to allow air to escape during pouring
- Pouring Opening - Make it large enough for easy pouring and filling
- Wall thickness - Minimum 10mm silicone for stability and durability
- Mother Mold - Always use a support mold for flexible molds
- Release agent - Usually not needed, but can help with very porous models
- Drying Time - Allow plaster to dry completely (24-48 hours) for optimum strength
- Maintenance - Clean molds after use and store dry
Applications
- Sculpture and sculptures
- Architectural ornaments and moldings
- Decorative ceiling and wall elements
- Garden statues and fountains
- Restoration of historical elements
- Ceramic slip casting molds
- Prototyping and model making
- Concrete garden elements and tiles
- Reliefs and wall panels
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a release agent? Not for most silicones, but for very porous models, it can be helpful.
How many casts can I make? A good silicone mold will last for 200-500+ casts, depending on complexity and maintenance.
What hardness is best? Shore A 30-35 is ideal for most plaster applications, softer for intricate details.
Can I pour cement into silicone molds? Yes, use a firmer silicone (Shore A 40-50) and a release agent.
Why platinum over tin-silicone? Platinum offers better detail reproduction and a longer lifespan, while tin is more economical for large molds.
Order your professional silicone plaster molds today from Siliconesandmore – your specialist in mold-making materials for plaster and porcelain plaster.