Food Grade Silicone Rubber for Mold Making: Properties, Hardness Selection and Processing Guide

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Food grade silicone rubber for mold making is a two-component addition-cured liquid silicone material used to produce flexible silicone molds for applications such as food molds, candy molds, cake molds and soap molds. IOTA 1500 Series uses a 1:1 mixing ratio by weight and offers Shore A hardness options from 0 to 50, with stated shrinkage of no more than 0.1%. The material is designed for high-temperature applications up to 250°C, with long-term stability stated for use within 200°C.

Key Facts About IOTA 1500 Series

Property IOTA 1500 Series
Silicone Type Addition-cured liquid silicone rubber
Components Two-component A/B system
Mixing Ratio A:B = 1:1 by weight
Appearance Semi-transparent
Hardness Range Shore A 0–50
Viscosity Range 5,000–25,000 cps
Tensile Strength 2.0–4.6 MPa
Tear Strength ≥2–17 kN/m
Elongation at Break ≥170–550%
Shrinkage ≤0.1%
Temperature Resistance Up to 250°C
Long-Term Use Temperature Within 200°C
Main Mold Applications Food molds, candy molds, cake molds, soap molds

The technical values above are product reference data for the IOTA 1500 Series. Individual grades have different mechanical and viscosity properties.

What Is Food Grade Silicone Rubber for Mold Making?

Food grade silicone rubber for mold making is a liquid silicone material that is mixed, poured into a mold-making form, cured and then removed to create a flexible silicone mold.

For mold production, important material properties include:

  • Mixing ratio

  • Viscosity

  • Hardness

  • Tear strength

  • Tensile strength

  • Elongation

  • Shrinkage

  • Temperature resistance

  • Demolding performance

These properties affect how easily the silicone flows around a master model, how accurately it reproduces surface details, how easily the finished mold can be removed and how well the mold withstands repeated use.

Why Is Low Shrinkage Important for Silicone Molds?

IOTA 1500 Series has a stated shrinkage of ≤0.1% across the listed grades.

Low shrinkage is important in mold making because dimensional changes in the cured silicone can affect the final mold dimensions. A low-shrinkage silicone material can help maintain the dimensional relationship between the original model and the finished mold.

For manufacturers producing detailed molds, shrinkage should therefore be considered together with hardness, viscosity and the geometry of the mold.

Available Hardness Options: Shore A 0 to Shore A 50

IOTA 1500 Series provides multiple hardness grades from Shore A 0 to Shore A 50.

Grade Hardness Viscosity Tensile Strength Elongation Shrinkage
IOTA 1500 Shore A 0 5,000±1,000 cps 2.0 MPa ≥500% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1505 Shore A 5±2 5,500±1,000 cps 2.5 MPa ≥550% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1510 Shore A 10±2 6,000±1,000 cps 3.0 MPa ≥500% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1515 Shore A 15±2 8,000±1,000 cps 3.2 MPa ≥450% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1520 Shore A 20±2 10,000±1,000 cps 3.5 MPa ≥400% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1525 Shore A 25±2 15,000±1,000 cps 4.0 MPa ≥420% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1530 Shore A 30±2 20,000±1,000 cps 4.5 MPa ≥350% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1540 Shore A 40±2 22,000±1,000 cps 4.5 MPa ≥330% ≤0.1%
IOTA 1550 Shore A 50±2 25,000±1,000 cps 4.6 MPa ≥170% ≤0.1%

How Should Mold Hardness Be Selected?

A softer silicone grade generally provides greater flexibility, while a harder grade provides a firmer mold structure.

For complex models with undercuts or areas requiring significant mold flexibility, lower-hardness silicone can be considered.

For molds that require greater structural support and dimensional stability during handling, a higher-hardness grade may be considered.

The appropriate hardness should be selected according to the master model geometry, demolding requirements, mold thickness and intended production process.

What Is the Viscosity Range of IOTA 1500 Series?

The stated viscosity range of IOTA 1500 Series is 5,000–25,000 cps, depending on the grade.

Lower-hardness grades generally have lower viscosity within this product series, while higher-hardness grades have higher viscosity.

Viscosity affects how the liquid silicone flows around the master model before curing. For detailed or complex molds, material flow should be evaluated together with mold geometry and the required level of bubble control.

What Are the Mechanical Properties?

The listed IOTA 1500 Series grades provide tensile strength from 2.0 to 4.6 MPa and elongation at break from ≥170% to ≥550%.

Tear strength ranges from ≥2 to ≥17 kN/m depending on the grade.

These properties are relevant to mold durability because silicone molds need sufficient elasticity and tear resistance to withstand demolding and repeated handling.

The lower-hardness grades provide particularly high elongation, while higher-hardness grades provide higher tensile strength and tear strength within the listed series.

How Is IOTA 1500 Silicone Rubber Processed?

The basic mold-making process consists of three steps:

1. Mix Components A and B

Mix Component A and Component B at a ratio of 1:1 by weight.

Accurate weighing is important because the 1:1 ratio is specified by weight rather than volume.

The two components should be mixed thoroughly to reduce the risk of incomplete curing.

2. Remove Air Bubbles

For applications with high surface-quality requirements, vacuum degassing can be used to remove air bubbles from the mixed silicone.

The manufacturer recommends particular attention to vacuum treatment for silicone grades with hardness above Shore A 20.

Bubble control is important because trapped air can create defects on the surface of the finished mold.

3. Pour the Silicone

After mixing and, when required, degassing, pour the liquid silicone into the mold box.

Pouring from a controlled height and allowing the silicone to flow gradually over the master model can help reduce the introduction of additional bubbles.

Can the Silicone Be Heated to Accelerate Curing?

Yes. Heating can be used to accelerate the curing rate of the silicone rubber.

The actual curing conditions should be determined through small-scale trials based on the mold design, silicone grade and production requirements.

Before large-scale production, a small trial is recommended to confirm the processing conditions.

What Applications Use Food Grade Silicone Mold Rubber?

IOTA 1500 Series is described for applications including:

  • Food molds

  • Candy molds

  • Cake molds

  • Soap molds

  • Soft silicone mold products

  • Other flexible molded silicone applications

The product is also described for producing soft silicone rubber products such as mannequins, chest pads and shoulder pads.

For food-contact applications, the specific regulatory and testing requirements of the target market should be confirmed separately. The term “food grade” should not by itself be interpreted as universal compliance with every food-contact regulation in every country.

Why Is Addition-Cured Silicone Used for Mold Making?

IOTA 1500 Series is an addition-type liquid silicone rubber.

Addition-cured silicone systems use two components that are mixed at a specified ratio and then cured to form an elastic silicone rubber.

For mold-making applications, the material system provides a combination of flexibility, low stated shrinkage and a broad hardness range.

However, addition-cured silicone can be sensitive to certain chemical substances that interfere with curing. Material compatibility should therefore be checked before production.

Important Compatibility Considerations

The manufacturer states that the 1:1 addition product should not come into contact with substances including:

  • Tin compounds

  • Phosphorus compounds

  • Ammonium compounds

  • Chlorine-containing compounds

  • Carboxylic acids

  • Thiols

  • Hydroxyl-containing compounds

These substances may interfere with curing and can result in incomplete or failed vulcanization.

If a mold has previously been made using condensation-cured silicone, the mold or relevant surfaces should be properly cleaned before using the addition-cured silicone system.

How Should Manufacturers Choose a Food Grade Mold Silicone?

A practical selection process should consider five main factors:

1. Mold Geometry

Complex models and undercuts generally require sufficient flexibility for demolding.

2. Required Hardness

IOTA 1500 Series covers Shore A 0 to Shore A 50, allowing manufacturers to select different levels of mold firmness.

3. Required Flow

Viscosity ranges from 5,000 to 25,000 cps depending on grade. Mold complexity and required surface replication should be considered when selecting viscosity.

4. Mold Durability

Tear strength, tensile strength and elongation should be evaluated according to the expected demolding method and number of mold cycles.

5. Temperature Conditions

IOTA 1500 Series is stated to withstand temperatures up to 250°C, with long-term stability stated for use within 200°C. Actual operating conditions should be validated for the specific application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mixing ratio of IOTA 1500 silicone rubber?

The mixing ratio of Component A to Component B is 1:1 by weight.

What hardness range is available?

IOTA 1500 Series provides hardness grades from Shore A 0 to Shore A 50.

What is the viscosity range?

The stated viscosity range is 5,000–25,000 cps, depending on the grade.

What is the shrinkage of IOTA 1500 Series?

The stated shrinkage is ≤0.1% for the listed grades.

What is the maximum temperature resistance?

The product is stated to be resistant to temperatures up to 250°C, with long-term stability for use within 200°C.

How much elongation can the material provide?

The listed elongation at break ranges from ≥170% to ≥550%, depending on the grade.

Is vacuum degassing required?

Vacuum degassing is recommended for applications with high requirements for bubble-free molds. The manufacturer specifically notes that silicone with hardness above Shore A 20 generally requires vacuum treatment before use.

Can the curing speed be accelerated?

Yes. Heating can be used to accelerate the curing rate. The appropriate temperature and curing conditions should be established through testing.

Can this silicone be used for food molds?

The product is described as food grade and is listed for food molds, candy molds and cake molds. However, the specific food-contact requirements of the target market should be confirmed separately.

What should be avoided when using addition-cured silicone?

Contact with substances that may inhibit addition curing should be avoided, including tin, phosphorus, ammonium, chlorine-containing compounds, carboxylic acids, thiols and hydroxyl-containing compounds.

Technical Conclusion

IOTA 1500 Series is a food grade addition-cured liquid silicone rubber for mold making with a 1:1 mixing ratio by weight, Shore A hardness options from 0 to 50, viscosity from 5,000 to 25,000 cps and stated shrinkage of ≤0.1%.

The series provides different combinations of hardness, viscosity, tensile strength, tear strength and elongation, allowing manufacturers to select a grade according to mold geometry, flexibility requirements, demolding conditions and production process.

For manufacturers developing food molds, candy molds, cake molds or other flexible silicone molds, the key selection factors are hardness, viscosity, shrinkage, mechanical strength, temperature conditions and compatibility with the master model.

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