When it comes to creating prototype, jewelry, or complex molds, having the right materials is crucial. That's why Smooth-On's Sorta-Clear 18 is the go-to choice for many professionals. This premium water white translucent silicone rubber is designed to cure at room temperature with minimal shrinkage, ensuring that your molds retain their shape and structural integrity. With a Shore 18A hardness and exceptional tensile and tear strength, Sorta-Clear 18 is perfect for creating durable molds that can withstand the demands of repeated use.

One of the key benefits of Sorta-Clear 18 is its ability to be used with a wide range of casting materials, including urethane, epoxy, polyester resins, wax, and even low-melt metal alloys. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for artists, designers, and manufacturers who need to work with a variety of materials. Additionally, Sorta-Clear 18 can be pigmented with Silc Pig silicone pigments, allowing you to achieve a wide range of colors and effects.

What sets Sorta-Clear 18 apart from other silicone rubbers is its exceptional clarity and visibility. This makes it perfect for applications where model visibility is critical, such as extracting a model from the mold via cutting. Furthermore, Sorta-Clear 18 is FOOD SAFE and can be used for culinary applications, including casting chocolate and other confections. It's also skin-safe and certified by an independent laboratory, giving you peace of mind when working with the material.

To ensure optimal results, it's essential to follow the recommended mixing and application guidelines for Sorta-Clear 18. This includes pre-mixing Part B thoroughly, mixing Parts A and B for 3 minutes, and vacuum degassing the mixture to eliminate entrapped air. After pouring the mixture into the mold, allow it to cure fully at room temperature (73°F/23°C) before demolding.

Once the mold is cured, you can post-cure it to achieve maximum physical and performance properties. This involves exposing the rubber to heat (176°F/80°C for 2 hours, then 212°F/100°C for 1 hour) before allowing it to cool to room temperature. This process can significantly improve the mold's durability and lifespan.

Smooth-On's Sorta-Clear 18 is a premium product that offers unmatched performance and versatility. Its exceptional clarity, durability, and food safety make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from culinary to industrial. Whether you're a professional artist, designer, or manufacturer, Sorta-Clear 18 is the perfect solution for creating high-quality molds that meet your exacting standards.