ELASTOSIL® M 4630 A/B and RTV-4130 are both addition-cure silicone systems for reusable molds in a similar medium-soft range. WACKER lists M 4630 A/B at 28 Shore A, while MinghuiLink lists RTV-4130 at 30±1 Shore A. The difference is relatively small, so processing characteristics, mechanical performance and application requirements are more important than hardness alone.
The biggest processing differences are mixing ratio, working time and viscosity. M 4630 A/B uses a 10:1 system, with approximately 15,000 mPa·s Part A, 800 mPa·s Part B and 10,000 mPa·s mixed viscosity. RTV-4130 uses a simpler 1:1 system with lower published component viscosities of approximately 4,400±200 mPa·s for Part A and 3,900±200 mPa·s for Part B. M 4630 A/B, however, provides a much longer 90-minute working time versus approximately 35 minutes for RTV-4130, giving more processing margin for large or complex molds.
Cure speed favors RTV-4130 for routine production. WACKER reports approximately 12 hours to a tack-free state for M 4630 A/B, while MinghuiLink lists approximately 5 hours for RTV-4130. These are different published endpoints and should not be treated as directly equivalent, but RTV-4130 is better aligned with shorter routine mold-production cycles.
Mechanical performance strongly favors M 4630 A/B on the published data. It lists 6.5 MPa tensile strength, >30 N/mm tear strength and 700% elongation, compared with 5.0±0.5 MPa, 28±0.5 N/mm and 400±50% respectively for RTV-4130. The higher elongation and tear-strength profile is particularly relevant to demanding molds, repeated demolding and deep undercuts.
Application positioning also differs. WACKER specifically positions M 4630 A/B for concrete reproduction, deep or extensive undercuts and demanding reproduction molds, with strong resistance to common casting resins. RTV-4130 is positioned more broadly for general reusable molds and casting applications, where simple 1:1 processing, lower component viscosity and faster turnaround can be more important. M 4630 A/B is also stated by WACKER to comply with FDA/BfR requirements for applicable food-contact uses.
Overall, M 4630 A/B is the stronger choice when long working time, high mechanical performance, difficult demolding and demanding reproduction are priorities. RTV-4130 is better suited to routine production where simple proportioning, lower published viscosity and faster published curing are more important. For large concrete or heavily loaded molds, either material may require a mother mold or external support depending on mold geometry and casting weight.