Vacuum Casting Material Selection: A Quick Guide

Vacuum Casting is one of the most versatile of all prototyping processes because of the range of properties that can be produced in the part.

If you’re a design engineer or product designer, you’ll know that this prototyping process is best used later in the product development process.

At this stage, appearance and properties must closely mimic those of the production part which may be manufactured from high performance production and engineering polymers including ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, nylon and elastomers.

Matching the desired property characteristic with a specific material is harder, simply because of the vast range of materials on offer.

The wide range of Vacuum Casting materials reflects designers’ very specific and individual requirements for the mechanical, thermal and physical properties which their parts must display.

Materials used in Vacuum Casting include thermoplastics, rubbers and resins, all of which can emulate specific properties and characteristics including degrees of:

• Physical appearance quality
• Surface texture/finish
• Transparency/translucence
• Rigidity
• Flexibility
• Strength
• Hardness
• Temperature resistance
• UV stability
• Colour

The range of applications for Vacuum Casting parts is massive. The process is used by design engineers working across a spectrum of sectors including automotive and aerospace, pharmaceutical and medical, telecommunications and engineering, to food production and consumer goods.

For this reason, the materials used in Vacuum Casting must accurately simulate a similarly vast range of industrial materials including ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, glass filled nylon, and elastomer rubber.

Vacuum Casting materials can simulate the following production materials and properties:

• Rubber – high flexibility
• ABS – high rigidity and strength
• Polypropylene and HDPR – high elasticity
• Polyamide and glass filled nylon – high rigidity
• Polycarbonate and PMMA – shock resistance, translucence, high temperature resistance
• Filled ABS – fire resistance and retardance

Of course, you may prefer to rely on the knowledge and experience of your prototyping bureau to advise you on which materials are most suitable to achieve the properties you need.

If that’s the case, look no further than Prototype Projects. We’re always happy to offer expert advice and guidance in every situation for any prototyping requirement.

We’re waiting for your call on 01763 249760 or contact us