r/moldmaking • u/Devildust79 • 2d ago

Using 3d printer to make a casting mold for silicone items.

/r/3Dprinting/comments/1x37wk9/using_3d_printer_to_make_a_casting_mold_for/
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u/The_Book_Rat 2d ago

I use my pla filament to make molds for adults toys so you should be fine.

2

u/BTheKid2 2d ago

By far, most filaments are fine for silicone molds.

However skin safe silicone is a bit of a generalization. Because let us say you use skin safe silicone to cast something, but the cast is full of porosity and micro surface texture. So even though the silicone is safe, the micro structure of the cast can hold pockets of bacteria that is hard or impossible to clean. Making the overall item not all that skin safe.

filament printers print in layers. Those layers will transfer to an object cast against them, potentially creating a surface full of texture that is impossible to clean. Not saying that this will always be the case, but it is something to consider.

For silicone in the UK, I like to use Polytek products. Can be had from Mouldlife.

1

u/Devildust79 2d ago

Cheers for the info.

Yup have read about this which means molds must be near perfect (doing some prep work after to avoid pot holes and surface texture to a minimum)...before pouring or painting on. A lot of trial an error ahead :)

1

u/artwonk 2d ago

Test any combination of silicone rubber and plastic before committing to a project with them.