Molds have always been a part of the manufacturing world. From artisans who developed weapons in the Bronze era to modern-day manufacturers, people have used molds to shape their products, and molds have been used in all eras. While the old molds were made of stones, the current molds are made of materials that are simpler to work with, such as silicone.
Today companies depend on silicone molds to produce large quantity products, while produce designers, engineers, and DIYers use silicone molds to produce small quantity products.
Why is silicone recommended for creating molds?
Silicone is the best option for creating silicone molds as it has versatile possibilities. You can create custom silicone products with these molds. Also, these molds are long-lasting and can be used repeatedly without breaking. It is inorganic and resistant to extreme temperature, chemical exposure, and microorganisms.
Benefits of using silicone molding
Durability: Silicone molds can be used in several runs for a good lifespan. However, their lifespan varies greatly. If you frequently use complex designs, the mold may degrade quickly. If you have low use of a versatile design, it may last longer. It also depends on how you’re using it and storing it.
Stability: You cannot find any other product or molding material that can resist extreme temperatures ranging from -65 degrees to 400 degrees Celsius, apart from silicone. It also has a stretch tolerance of 700%, depending on its manufacture. As it is highly stable, you can easily use custom silicone products in the oven, freezer, and for other uses.
Flexibility: Silicone is highly flexible, making it simpler to work with. It is light in weight and elastic compared to stiff components like plastic. This makes the mold more effective as it doesn’t easily chip or break. You can also customize silicone in any shape you want.
Applications of silicone molding
Most professionals choose silicone molding because it is highly versatile and simple. Some examples are:
Prototyping
Silicone molding is used for rapid prototyping and development of products because the pricing is quite lower than conventional production processes like injection molding. Vacuum casting in molds is highly recommended for prototyping and creating testing with the market for response and feedback for new products.
Consumer goods
Manufacturers use silicone molds to develop craft products such as candles and soaps. Even markets use silicone molds for basic things such as chalk and eraser.
Jewelry
Many jewelry designers use silicone molds to copy handcrafted or 3D patterns. It helps them remove the labor-intensive procedure of developing wax-dependent patterns for all pieces. It is a big leap for companies that produce a particular design in bulk because the silicone mold can capture better details and produce jewelry with intricate designs.
Food and beverage
Confectioners like to create chocolate, ice creams, lollipops, and other bakery items using silicone molds. As they can bear temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius, you can mold them. You can also use a silicone cup to make things. Bakers use silicone molds to make cupcakes and muffins.
DIY items
DIYers use silicone molding to make unique creations. They create dog treats, bath bombs, and several kinds of stuff that they prefer. Kids also have fun using silicone to make products in their playtime.
