What kind of foam do you use for fiberglass molds?
With Polyurethane foam, it will easily withstand Polyester or Epoxy resin applied to the top of it without having to do anything special. We recommend scuffing the surface with some sandpaper to get the best bond, but once the standard surface prep is done, you can apply your gelcoat, resin or epoxy.
What is the best material for making a mold?
Most mold making materials are utilized are made from natural or manmade rubber because of their flexibility and the ability to reproduce extraordinary detail. But some molds are made with more rigid materials such as gypsum plasters. The most common mold rubbers are natural latex, polyurethane, epoxy and silicone.
Does fiberglass melt Styrofoam?
Fiberglass will bond to almost any surface, including wood, foam, metal and even plastic.
Can you use Styrofoam as a mold for fiberglass?
Since the mold is destroyed after the part is built, this version of the lost foam method is not a production process. With this method, any shape that can be carved or molded out of Styrofoam can be turned into a fiberglass/epoxy composite.
What is parting flange in fiberglass molding?
This is the form that divides the mold segments during construction. This form is removed once one side has been molded. Like the plug itself, these parting flanges are constructed of the least expensive materials that will support the curing fiberglass later.
How do you prepare a plug for mold construction?
One of the primary keys to success in mold construction is proper preparation of the plug. Any imperfections in the plug surface will be transferred to the mold, and then to future parts made from that mold. The plug needs to have a finish AT LEAST as good as the parts you wish to produce.
How do you make a female mold out of a plug?
Once the plug has been prepared to a Class “A” finish, construction of the female mold can commence. First, a mold release agent will need to be applied to the plug. This is a critical step, since it will allow you to separate the mold from the plug once the materials used to construct the mold have cured.
How are machined aluminum molds made?
The complete construction of the mold shells and the design of the form separation and flanges have to be determined for the production of a machined aluminum mold. The manufacture of a mold begins mostly with the production of a positive model (per sample, drawing, or 3D data).