Materials used in Vacuum Casting include thermoplastics, rubbers and resins, all of which can emulate specific properties and characteristics including :Surface texture,Transparency, Rigidity, Strength, Hardness, Temperature resistance, Colour.
The materials used in Vacuum Casting can simulate the following production materials and properties:
- ABS : high rigidity and strength
- PC and PMMA : shock resistance, translucence, high temperature resistance
- Rubber : high flexibility
- Filled ABS : fire resistance and retardance
- PP and HDPR : high elasticity
- Polyamide and Glass Filled Nylon : high rigidity
The following is a list of the most often used casting resins at RpProto. If you have any particular needs that are not met here, please let us know and we will special purchase any commercially available resin for you.
ABS–like Materials
ABS-like material is the most commonly used material in vacuum casting and can be used in various applications.
It has good dimensional stability, good toughness, rigidity, and impact strength, excellent chemical resistance.
| References | Hardness (shore) | Strength （MPa） | Elongation (%) | Tg (°c) | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hei-CAST PU8150 | 84D | 73MPa | 16% | 85°c | Amber,white and black |
| Hei-CAST PU8160 | 83D | 67MPa | 15% | 115°c | Amber,white and black |
| Axson UP4280 | 81D | 84MPa | 13% | 93°c | Dark Amber |
| Axson PX 100 | 74D | 40MPa | 20% | 75°c | White/Black |
| Axson PX215 | 65-74D | 40MPa | 20% | 75°c | White/Black |
| Axson PX 527 | 80D | 73MPa | 13% | 80°c | White/Black |
| Axson PX 223 HT | 80D | 60MPa | 11% | >120°c | black |
| Axson PX 245 / PX245L* | 85D | 85MPa | 3% | 95°c | off white |
PU 8150 : ABS-Like
Key features:
- Well-balanced physical properties
- excellent cure properties
- superior dimensional stability
- high practical strength
Applications: It is suitable for all purpose of prototypes and final products.
PU 8160 : ABS-Like
- approaches closer to the physical properties of ABS.
- improved elongation and is more difficult to break.
- improved in its hardening property at low temperatures.It can therefore be demolded with the slightest fear of cracks or deformation.
- Tough resin layers with excellent heat and impact resistance can be obtained.
PX 100 : ABS-Like
Key features:
- Low viscosity
- Long pot-life
- Good mechanical properties
- Can be painted
Applications:
For prototype parts whose mechanical properties are close to those of thermoplastics
PX 215 : ABS-Like
Key features:
- High reproduction accuracy
- Can be easily pigmented with colouring CP
- Low aggressive against silicone toolings
Applications:
For prototype parts whose mechanical properties are close to those of thermoplastics
PU 4280 : ABS-Like
Key features:
- Easy processing
- High mechanical properties
- Good heat resistance up to 100°C
Applications:
For ABS type prototype parts
PX 223 HT: ABS-Like
Key features:
- Low viscosity.
- Good impact resistance.
- High temperature resistance.
- Temperature stability up to 110°C.
Applications:
ABS-like prototype parts for small production runs in vacuum casting machines.
PX 245 / PX 245 L : ABS-Like, FILLED PP
Key features:
- Filled.
- Very short demoulding time.
- Very rigid.
- Good abrasion resistance.
Applications:
For all parts requiring high stiffness in flexion. The right answer to mould parts for coping machines, printers and all electronic devices.
Similar to P.O.M. and filled thermoplastics as filled PA 6.6.
PX 2017 HT
Used by casting for the production of prototype parts and mock-ups whose mechanical properties are close to ABS or filled PP. Thermoplastic-like resistance in temperature (TG > 180°C). Almost no change of mechanical properties after ageing under temperature. Good resistance to automotive fluids (except brake liquid). According to its exceptional compatibility with silicone moulds it’s possible to achieve easily 50 castings in a mould without deterioration.
PX 527: ABS-Like, PC-Like
Like ABS type or PC. Good impact and flexural resistance. Clear aspect. Can be easily coloured with CP pigments.
PX 220
Pure white resin similar to PS Choc. For all parts requiring good impact resistance even with thin sections. Easy to make resistant clips or all parts submitted to stress, as piece of working mechanisms.
PX 226
Off white resin similar to high flexural modulus ABS or ABS/PC blends. Suitable for low tension electrical equipments like casings for circuit breakers or switches as well as for House hold appliances parts; coffee machines, vacuum cleaner and casings for medical equipments. Also in long pot life version of 8 minutes for large parts.
PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like Material, Transparent Material
PMMA, also known as acrylic, is a transparent plastic thatis strong and shatter-resistant. PMMA-Like vacuum casting material has a high degree of clarity, and is suitable for applications of transparent prototypes.
| References | Hardness (shore) | Strength （MPa） | Elongation (%) | Tg (°c) | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axson PX 522 HT | 87D | 75MPa | 9% | 110°c | transparent |
| Axson PX 521 HT | 87D | 75MPa | 9% | 110°c | transparent |
| AXSON UPX 5210 | 83D | 65 – 70 MPa | 15 – 20% | 80°c | transparent |
| Axson PX 225 | 80D | 70MPa | 15% | 80°c | transparent |
| Hei-Cast 8744, 8744LP | 82D | 60MPa | 30% | 90°c | Colorless |
| Hei-Cast 8751 | 85D | 65MPa | 15% | 80°c | Colorless |
| Hei-Cast 8752 | 85D | 70MPa | 25% | 80°c | Colorless |
PX 522 HT : PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like
Key features:
- High transparency
- Easy to sand and polish
- Good UV resistance.
- Good thermal resistance
Applications:
Dedicated to thin technical prototypes up to 10 mm, like lenses for headlights, traffic lights, light tubes, transparent covers, etc. The same properties as PMMA, cristal PS, MABS.
PX 521 HT : PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like
Key features:
- High transparency (water clear)
- Easy polishing
- High reproduction accuracy
- Long term UV stability
Applications:
Dedicated for glass, art, decoration sectors and crystal glass like parts. Could be cast with or without vacuum casting machine in 50 mm thickness.
When long term ageing is required please use PX 521 HT as the best offer for UV stability.
PX 225 : PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like
Key features:
- High impact resistant
- Good impact and flexural resistance
- Very easy coloring with all kind of pigments
- Low viscosity for easy casting
Applications:
Technical transparent parts simulating polycarbonate. All parts simulating mass tinted ABS.
UPX 5210 : PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like
Key features:
- For crystal glass like parts.
- High transparency (water clear)
- Easy polishing
- High reproduction accuracy
- Good UV resistance
- Low shrinkage
Applications:
Transparent prototype parts up to 50 mm in thickness : crystal glass like parts, fashion, jewellery stained glass repair, art and decoration parts.
Hei-Cast 8744・8744LP : PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like
Key features:
- It has excellent transparency
- It is difficult to yellowing
- It has elongation
- Excellent impact resistance
- Excellent defoaming performance
Hei-Cast 8751 : PMMA-Like, Acrylic-Like
Key features:
- excellent transparency
- good process-ability
- long pot-life
- low viscosity
Rubber-Like Flexible Material
| References | Hardness (shore) | Strength （MPa） | Elongation (%) | Tg (°c) | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axson UPX 8400 | 20A-85A | 6-22MPa | 450-660% | 80°c | off white |
| Hei-Cast T0387 | 30A-80A | 1.5-40MPa | 260-300% | 60°c | Clear |
| Hei-Cast 8434 | 75A-90A | 10-22MPa | 230-260% | Black | |
| Hei-Cast 8477 | 35A | 1.1MPa | 180% | Colorless transparent | |
| Hei-Cast 8479 | 50A | 1.4MPa | 120% | Colorless transparent |
UPX 8400 : Rubber-Like
Key features:
- Adjustable hardness Shore A 20 – 85,
- Easy to pigment
- Outstanding strength.
Applications:
Dedicated to achieve rubber like prototype parts for all sectors of activities.
Hei-Cast T0387: Rubber-Like
T0387 is a three component transparent polyurethane elastomer designed for vacuum casting.
- Cured material is transparent.
- Any desired hardness in a range from Shore A 30 to 80 can be obtained through the combined use of “component C” in different ratio.
Flame Retardant (UL 94 V-0) Material
| References | Hardness (shore) | Strength （MPa） | Elongation (%) | Tg (°c) | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hei-CAST 8263 | 83D | 68MPa | 15% | 80°c | White |
| Axson Px330 | 87D | 70MPa | 3.0% | 100°c | Off-White |
| BJB TC-891 FR | 80 ± 2D | 42MPa | 21% | White/Opaque | |
| PTM&W PT8952 | 85 D | 73Mpa | 24.5% | 100°c | Clear |
Hei-Cast 8263 : UL94 V-0
Key features:
- Well-balanced physical properties
- Difficult-inflammability
- Excellent dimensional stability
Applications:
Hei-Cast 8263 is flame retardant type cast material for the manufacture of prototypes which require UL94 V-0 and 5VA specification. Hei-Cast 8263 is also suited for short run production.
Axson PX 330: UL94 V-0
Key features:
- Self-extinguishing
- Good thermal properties
- Fast demoulding
- Can be easily coloured with CP pigments
Applications:
It is for making prototype parts with mechanical properties similar to filled ABS when requiring a fire classification.
BJB TC-891 FR : UL94 V-0
Key features:
- UL 94V-0 Listed, flammability rating at 1/16” thickness
- Very low shrinkage
- Exceptional physical properties.
- RoHS/REACH compliant
Applications:
BJB TC-891 FR is 80 Shore D Flame Retardant material. It’s great for casting dispensing electronic enclosures, or any parts requiring flame retardant characteristics.
PTM&W PT8952: UL94 V-0
Key features:
- Excellent fire retardant characteristics
- UL 94V-0 at 0.1 inch (2.6 mm) thickness
- Very high strength(Impact, tensile, flexural)
Applications:
PT8952 provide a tough, impact-resistant material for the production of durable short run and prototype parts.
PP-Like, HDPE-Like Material
| References | Hardness (shore) | Strength （MPa） | Elongation (%) | Tg (°c) | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hei-Cast 8550 | 76D | 34MPa | 72% | 70°c | White translucent/Black |
| Hei-Cast 8570 | 85D | 50MPa | 35% | 90°c | White / Black |
| Axson UP 5690 | 87 -83D | 25-35MPa | 50% – 90% | 60°c-85°c | White/Opaque |
Hei-Cast 8550: PP-Like
Key features:
- Low in Young’s modulus in flexure and high in elongation.
- It provides a color shade similar to that of original PE and PP articles.
- It offers a long pot-life and is therefore suited for the molding of large-sized articles.
Applications:
Hei-Cast 8550 is a vacuum casting material developed for the manufacture of PE and PP prototypes.
Hei-Cast 8570: PP-Like
Key features:
- High flexural modulus.
- The heat-resistant temperature is 90°C
- It has a long service life.
- Flexibility can be imparted by adding C component.
Applications:
High-cast 8570 is for vacuum casting prototype of tough PP products, such as interior and exterior parts for automobiles. It also suitable for making large cast products.
Axson UP 5690: PP-Like
Key features:
- Flexural modulus adjustable
- High elongation
- High impact resistance, no breakable
- Good flexibility
Applications:
Casting for production of prototype parts and mock-ups having mechanical properties like PP and HDPE, such as instrument panel, bumper, equipment box, cover and anti-vibration tools.