[Jewelry making - Article 01240] - Re: [Orchid] Vulcanized VS. RTV

[Ken Ferrell]

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    I have some vulcanized molds done in Castaldo Gold and some in
    White, that are about 30 years old, They still have very good detail
    and have all yielded several hundred parts, But they have been well
    cared for, I have some that are 10 to 15 years old that were done in
    Kerr White and their soft formula as well, These have not held up as
    well as the Castaldo rubber, I have also used the Castaldo No Shrink
    Pink embedded in Castaldo white label and are still going strong
    several of these have had a few thousand parts run through, Down side
    is they eventually need some type mold release, I prefer silicone
    spray (in very moderate quantities) I have used the Castaldo RTV and
    I like it BUT it doesn't seem to have the durability of the
    vulcanized molds, I have used Belicold RTV which I like, but is no
    longer available,  I also tried Rio's Ditto formulas and while they
    are very good at first the seem to deteriorate rather quickly, ( I do
    watch my wax Temp. and pressure closely )I would say if a person is
    going to only make 50 or 100 pieces then the silicone RTVs  work
    well, But I have to tell you, I LOVE the Castaldo Silicone
    vulcanizing material , It so far has held up very well, over 1,500
    parts on one run 3 molds, 500pcs per mold and no degradation of
    detail, and as a good silicone should, requires no mold release. Plus
    side of RTV is the range of things you can mold, I also like the
    ability to mold directly off of a wax pattern or a plastic pattern
    with 0% shrinkage,  and that being said I really think there is a
    definite purpose for both, but for high production Vulcanized for me
    is better or so it seems 

Kenneth Ferrell


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