Q & A: Platinum Cured Silicone Rubber (120 comments)
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2025-04-12
Ethan
What are "Pot Life" and "Cure Time"?
These are two critical but different timeframes: 1. Pot Life (or Working Time): This is the window of time you have from the moment you mix Parts A and B until the silicone starts to thicken and is no longer pourable or brushable. You must complete all mixing, degassing, and pouring within this time. 2. Cure Time (or Demold Time): This is the total time from mixing until the silicone is fully cured and has reached sufficient strength to be safely removed from the master model. Cure time is always much longer than pot life.
These are two critical but different timeframes: 1. Pot Life (or Working Time): This is the window of time you have from the moment you mix Parts A and B until the silicone starts to thicken and is no longer pourable or brushable. You must complete all mixing, degassing, and pouring within this time. 2. Cure Time (or Demold Time): This is the total time from mixing until the silicone is fully cured and has reached sufficient strength to be safely removed from the master model. Cure time is always much longer than pot life.
2025-04-11
Troy
My silicone is curing too fast. How can I get more working time?
To slow down the cure and extend your pot life, you can: 1. Lower the Temperature: Temperature is the biggest factor. Working in a cooler environment (e.g., 18-20°C / 65-68°F) will significantly slow the reaction . 2. Refrigerate the Material: For more time, you can briefly refrigerate the unmixed components before use. Ensure no condensation forms on the containers when you take them out. 3. Use a Retarder: Add a specialized silicone retarder to the mix. This will extend both the pot life and the cure time.
To slow down the cure and extend your pot life, you can: 1. Lower the Temperature: Temperature is the biggest factor. Working in a cooler environment (e.g., 18-20°C / 65-68°F) will significantly slow the reaction . 2. Refrigerate the Material: For more time, you can briefly refrigerate the unmixed components before use. Ensure no condensation forms on the containers when you take them out. 3. Use a Retarder: Add a specialized silicone retarder to the mix. This will extend both the pot life and the cure time.