Art & Crafts : Silicone Thinner – Silicone Rubber Thinning Fluid

Silicone Thinner – Silicone Rubber Thinning Fluid

Reduce Silicone Viscosity | Improve Detail Reproduction | Assist with Air Bubble Removal

Available Sizes: 100 g | 500 g | 1 kg

Silicone Thinner is a non-reactive silicone fluid designed to reduce the viscosity (thickness) of compatible silicone rubbers, making them easier to mix, pour and work with.

Suitable for compatible tin-cure (condensation) and platinum-cure (addition) silicone rubbers, Silicone Thinner improves the flow of silicone into intricate details and assists with reducing trapped air bubbles during mould making.

It is particularly useful when creating detailed silicone moulds for casting applications.

Key Features & Benefits

• Reduces Silicone Viscosity: Makes mixed silicone thinner and easier to pour.
• Improves Detail Reproduction: Helps silicone flow around intricate patterns, textures and fine details.
• Assists with Bubble Reduction: Lower viscosity allows trapped air to escape more easily.
• Improves Vacuum Degassing: Thinner silicone releases trapped air faster when vacuum equipment is used.
• Useful Without a Vacuum Chamber: Can help improve pouring and bubble release when vacuum equipment is unavailable.
• Increases Working Time: The manufacturer’s technical sheet indicates that pot life may increase proportionally with the addition of thinner.
• Softens Cured Silicone: Reduces the final Shore hardness, producing a softer and more flexible silicone.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for compatible tin-cure and platinum-cure silicone systems.

Important – Using Thinner Without a Vacuum Chamber

Don’t have a vacuum chamber? Silicone Thinner can help!

Vacuum degassing is recommended for removing trapped air from silicone, but not everyone has access to a vacuum chamber.

Adding a compatible silicone thinner reduces the thickness of the silicone, helping air bubbles move through the mixture more easily.

For best results without vacuum equipment:

1. Mix silicone components slowly and carefully to avoid introducing unnecessary air.
2. Use the recommended quantity of thinner.
3. Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing container thoroughly.
4. Pour the silicone slowly in a thin stream into the lowest point of the mould housing.
5. Allow the silicone to flow naturally around the model and into detailed areas.
6. Please note: Silicone Thinner is not a complete replacement for vacuum degassing and does not guarantee bubble-free moulds.

Recommended Mixing Ratios

Silicone Thinner is added as a percentage of the combined weight of Part A and Part B.

Maximum recommended addition: 10% by weight.

Silicone (Part A + Part B)	2% Thinner	5% Thinner	8% Thinner	10% Thinner
100 g	2 g	5 g	8 g	10 g
250 g	5 g	12.5 g	20 g	25 g
500 g	10 g	25 g	40 g	50 g
1 kg	20 g	50 g	80 g	100 g

Percentages are calculated on the total silicone weight before adding thinner.

Always follow the mixing and additive instructions for your particular silicone product.

How to Use Silicone Thinner

1. Weigh the required quantity of silicone Part A using an accurate digital scale.
2. Calculate the thinner quantity based on the combined weight of silicone Parts A and B.
3. Add the measured Silicone Thinner to Part A.
4. Mix thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
5. Add the correct quantity of silicone Part B catalyst or hardener.
6. Mix thoroughly according to the silicone manufacturer’s instructions, scraping the sides and bottom of the container.
7. Vacuum-degas if equipment is available and recommended for the silicone.
8. Pour into your mould housing within the silicone’s working time.

Important: Silicone Thinner does not replace Part A or Part B. Both silicone components must still be measured in the manufacturer’s correct mixing ratio.

Effect on Silicone Properties

Adding Silicone Thinner changes certain properties of the cured silicone.

Advantages:

• Reduced viscosity
• Improved flow around fine details
• Faster air removal during vacuum degassing
• Potentially longer working time
• Softer cured silicone

Disadvantages:

• Reduced tear strength
• Reduced tensile strength
• Reduced Shore hardness

Higher additions of thinner can make silicone moulds softer and potentially less durable, particularly for moulds with thin walls or delicate features.

For the best balance between workability and mould strength, we recommend testing small batches before committing to a full mould.

Example: Effect of Silicone Thinner

The following results are from the manufacturer’s tests using Mold Max 30 silicone and are provided for illustration only.

Property	No Thinner	5% Thinner	10% Thinner
Mixed Viscosity	25,000 cps	19,000 cps	13,800 cps
Shore A Hardness	30	26	23
Tensile Strength	400 psi	350 psi	330 psi
Tear Strength	130 pli	115 pli	110 pli

Please note: These results are specific to Mold Max 30 and are not guaranteed values for TCS-30 or other silicone products. Actual results will vary depending on the silicone used.

Technical Information

Property	Description
Product Type	Non-reactive silicone thinning fluid
Appearance	Liquid
Odour	Mild to no odour
Water Solubility	Insoluble
Specific Gravity	0.94–1.00
Viscosity	5–250 cP (SDS range)
Recommended Maximum Addition	10% by weight
Recommended Working Temperature	Approximately 23°C
Compatible Silicone Types	Suitable tin-cure and platinum-cure silicone rubbers

Safety & Handling

• Use in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear suitable protective gloves and safety glasses.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
• Avoid inhaling vapours or mist.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while working with the product.
• Keep out of reach of children.

First Aid:

• Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water and seek medical attention if irritation persists.
• Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water.
• Inhalation: Move to fresh air and obtain medical assistance if symptoms occur.
• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store containers tightly sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat and incompatible materials.

Avoid contamination with water and keep containers properly labelled.

The manufacturer’s technical information indicates that the product has a limited shelf life and should be used as soon as reasonably possible.

Available Sizes

• 100 g – Ideal for smaller silicone mould-making projects and occasional use.
• 500 g – Suitable for regular mould making and medium-sized projects.
• 1 kg – A convenient option for larger projects and frequent silicone users.

Pre-Order, Stock Availability & Pricing

Please note: This product is supplied on a pre-order basis.

We do not always hold stock of Silicone Thinner. Products are ordered from our supplier according to customer demand and availability.

• Supplier Lead Time: Approximately 2–4 working days, subject to supplier availability, before dispatch or collection.
• Pricing: Prices are subject to change without prior notice due to supplier price adjustments and other related costs.
• Confirmed Orders: The price paid at checkout will be honoured for confirmed and fully paid orders. Changes in pricing will apply to new orders only.
• Availability: If an item becomes unavailable after your order has been placed, we will contact you to discuss the available options.

Please plan your mould-making projects accordingly.

Important Disclaimer

Always follow the technical instructions for the specific silicone rubber being used. The addition of silicone thinner may affect the final hardness, working time, tear strength and durability of silicone moulds.

Results may vary according to silicone formulation, thinner percentage, mixing accuracy and processing conditions. Customers are responsible for testing material compatibility and suitability before full production.

For detailed safety and handling information, please refer to the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS).