什么是Flexi Mold，怎么用?

Flexi Mold 是一种创新且多功能的材料，专为制造单面或双面可重复使用的模型而设计，为传统硅胶模型提供了一种可持续且可重复使用的替代方案。 它可以被加热融化并多次重复使用，是一种经济实惠且环保的选择，适用于各种应用。它具有柔韧性，符合食品级标准，并且通过加热融化重新开始，可以修正错误。由于它是可生物降解的，并且不含石油基成分，它是一个环保的选择。

使用 Flexi Mold 时，将其加热（最好使用微波炉），然后倒在你想要复制的物体上，待其冷却。固化后，它将精确捕捉复杂的细节，非常适合艺术、烹饪和零件生产等用途。

Flexi Mold 是硅胶的优越替代品，因为它相对于传统硅胶模型提供了几个显著的优势：

1. 性能：它是可重复使用的，这大大减少了随着时间推移的材料成本。
2. 环保安全：由于它是可生物降解的，并且不含有害化学物质，因此是对地球更安全的选择。
3. 可修正性: 如果出现错误，它可以重新融化并重新模制，避免浪费材料。
4. 易于使用: 与硅胶不同，它不需要混合或固化剂，从而简化了使用过程。
5. 食品级: 它可以用于烹饪制作过程中。

尽管使用硅胶可以制造更耐用的模具，但在单次使用的应用中，因其可重复使用和环保特性，它们是大多数项目的优良替代品。

重要使用建议：

本产品仅应在适用于微波炉的容器中加热，例如产品包装中所附的容器。使用不兼容的容器可能会导致容器熔化，甚至损坏产品，造成不安全的操作条件。

Flexi Mold 可以使用多少次？

它的可重复使用性和食品兼容性是其最显著的优点。通常，当正确使用并妥善保养时，Flexi Mold 可以重复使用超过 35 次。事实上，通过小心操作，其使用寿命可以延长至超过 100 次。通过避免加热温度超过 82°C（180°F）并在每次使用后过滤掉废料，可以轻松达到超过 35 次的使用循环。用户报告称他们已经延长了超过 100 次的重新融化过程。过滤掉碎片和颗粒物，以保持清洁和高效，以便未来使用。

冷却时间取决于零件的大小和厚度。较小的零件（大约 300 毫升或 10 盎司）在室温下大约 2 小时内完全固化。为了加快这一过程，可以将其放入冰箱，冷却时间可以加速。较大的零件可能需要更多时间才能完全固化。

使用过程

1. 融化：加热直到它变成液体。可以使用微波炉，每次短时间加热 10-15 秒，重复 2-3 次，或者使用水浴法。如果一次性在微波炉中加热，可能会烧焦。
2. 倒入：将熔化的材料倒在物体上，或倒入铸模箱中制作模具。
3. 冷却：让它完全固化，放在室温下冷却，或者放入冰箱加速冷却过程。
4. 重复使用：当不再需要时，将产品重新加热以重新塑形或制作新的模具。

How Do You Melt Flexi Mold Safely?

It can be melted either in the microwave or in a bain-marie using the product container.

Microwave method: Use a few seconds of heating intervals to avoid overheating and thus degradation of the product. The usual heating times are as follows, although it is wise to constantly monitor the state of the product as it turns to liquid.

• 300ml (10 oz.): 1-2 minutes. Select the time in your microwave and stop every 10-15 seconds to check the condition of the Flexi Mold. Continue heating until ready to use.  
• 600ml (20 oz.): 3-5 minutes. Use the technique explained above, with the possibility of extending the intervals a few seconds longer.
• 1200 ml (40 oz.): 7-10 minutes. In this case, the intervals will be somewhat longer.

The product should be heated in short periods of time of 10-15 seconds, so if we try to save time and heat it for more than 1 minute continuously, the product could burn.

2.- Double boiler or bain-marie method: Place it in a container inside another pot with water. This method keeps the temperature below 100°C (212°F), reducing the risk of burns.

Always stir it during heating to ensure even melting and to avoid overheating your container. Remember to stir it superficially so as not to introduce air and bubbles that will be transferred to the mold, creating imperfections. 

What Materials Can Be Cast with Flexi Mold?

Flexi Mold is versatile and works well with many casting materials including:

• Gypsum, Acrylic Resin, and Plaster: Ideal for decorative items and art projects.
• Resins: We recommend using slow-curing epoxies or polyurethanes only for small parts to avoid overheating.
• Chocolate and sweets: It is food safe, making it perfect for culinary creations. It is certified for food contact, making it ideal for chocolate, fondant and other confectionery projects. Just make sure the material is clean before use.
• Candle and soap wax: Cool before pouring hot materials to ensure faster cooling.

It can even be used to shape unique materials such as polymer clay, ensuring smooth, detailed results. Remember, after molding the clay you must bake it, without a mold, to make it resilient and keep its shape.

Example of use with wax:

Precautions when using resin with Flexi Mold

Resin generates heat during curing, so there are several things to keep in mind before using it.

1. Size: Larger projects tend to produce more heat due to the larger volume of resin that reacts. This is why you should only use it on small projects. Otherwise, the accumulated heat will damage the mold as it could eventually melt it.
2. Ambient temperature: Ambient temperatures affect the prolongation or reduction of the curing process of these materials.
3. Resin type: Different resins have different curing characteristics, including the amount of heat they release. Consult the manufacturer's manual for proper cure.
4. Additives: Additives such as pigments or fillers can affect the curing process.
5. Cooling: When using these materials, which work with temperature, it is advisable to let them cool completely.

Understanding these factors helps to achieve better results with resin projects.

How Do You Clean and Maintain Flexi Mold?

Cleaning is simple. Use a cool, damp cloth to remove debris, avoiding immersion in hot water, as the material can dissolve in hot water. For molds with embedded particles, remelt it and filter it through a fine mesh or filter to restore its purity.

Store it in a cool, dry place, always protected from extreme temperatures to prevent it from losing properties and deteriorating. It will then be ready for your next project.

What Are the Temperature Guidelines for Using this Reusable Material?

It is reusable and melts at approximately 140°F (60°C) and can withstand temperatures up to 180°F (82°C) during heating. When working with high temperature casting materials, cool the product in the refrigerator for a few minutes before pouring to avoid warping.

Can Flexi Mold Be Used for Two-Part Molds?

Yes, it is ideal for creating two-part molds. Here’s how:

1. Prepare the Base: Begin by embedding your object halfway into a layer of clay. Shape the clay carefully to cover half of the object, ensuring smooth edges to reduce seam lines and achieve a better fit between the halves.
2. Set Up the Casting Box: Place the clay and object setup into a cast frame square. Apply a release agent evenly over the exposed surface of the object and the surrounding clay. 
3. Pour the First Half: While the release agent is still wet, pour the melted molding material over the exposed portion of the object. Make sure it fully covers the surface. Allow the material to cool and solidify completely.
4. Prepare for the Second Half: Once the first half has solidified, carefully remove the clay and apply a release agent to the surface of the solidified part. Chill this first half in the freezer to prevent melting during the second pour.
5. Pour the Second Half: Reheat the molding material to a temperature between 50°C and 60°C (120°F–135°F). Let it cool slightly until pourable but not too hot. Pour the material over the remaining half of the object and the first half.
6. Finalize the Mold: Allow the second half to solidify completely. Once cooled, you’ll have it ready for use!

By following these steps, you can create precise molds with minimized seam lines and a seamless fit between the halves. 

How Can You Minimize Bubbles in Flexi Mold?

To avoid bubbles:

• Pour it slowly and steadily.
• Use a vibrating surface to release trapped air.
• Paint a thin layer of melted Flexi Mold onto difficult details before pouring.
• Seal porous objects to prevent air from escaping during molding.

Is it Safe for Pets or Accidental Ingestion?

It is a non-toxic material made from food-safe ingredients. However, if you incorporate substances like urethanes, plaster, or release agents into the mold-making process, it may no longer be safe for consumption. Always refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for those additional materials to ensure safety.

Interestingly, some dog owners have reported their pets consuming it, as it seems to attract their curiosity. In all reported cases, the dogs were fine afterward. That said, if your dog shows any unusual behavior or symptoms, it’s best to consult a veterinarian to err on the side of caution.

Warnings before use

Flexi Mold is a partially water-soluble material, so it can dissolve in contact with water. That is why it is not recommended to fill the molds with water-based mixtures (such as acrylic resin, plaster, or plaster, among others) without taking the appropriate measures. To achieve an optimal result with these mixtures, it is absolutely necessary to apply a layer of release agent inside the mold, which will protect it from the humidity of the materials inside. Specifically, from Green Stuff World we recommend the use of sculptor vaseline since our team of experts has proven its effectiveness.

It is important to keep in mind that once Flexi Mold has been mixed with Vaseline, it will no longer be a food-grade product and therefore cannot be reused to create molds in culinary recipes. In addition, it is recommended that vaseline residues be cleaned as much as possible before reuse to avoid premature degradation of the product.