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Topic: How to re-melt silicone???  (Read 70081 times)

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Offline miker

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How to re-melt silicone???
« on: October 07, 2010, 03:28:17 AM »
Hello to everyone!
New to this forum and here is my first question!
I want to know if there is any chemical substance to use on solid silicone and make it possible to reshape again!

Offline Borek

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2010, 04:02:13 AM »
Reshape? Melt? Please elaborate. I guess the only way is to heat it high enough.

Unless you can use mechanical methods.
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Offline miker

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2010, 05:00:27 AM »
to make it easier!
I want to change the shape of a diving mask made from silicone!
I have all ready use heat but nothing!
Somebody told me there are chemical the make the silicone somehow malleable!
Thank you!

Offline Borek

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2010, 08:41:34 AM »
My mistake, I was thinking about silicon. Sometimes my English fails me.

Perhaps some solvent will modify silicone properties, but somehow I think that will be a nasty stuff to work with.
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Offline miker

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2010, 11:50:29 AM »
and what kind of solvent is this???

Offline oneat

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2010, 01:29:41 PM »
maybe HCOOH? Silicon often smell of this.

Offline DrCMS

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2010, 02:16:18 PM »
maybe HCOOH? Silicon often smell of this.

NO and NO.

Silicon is an element and does not smell of formic acid.

Silicone sealants are often formulated with Methyltriacetoxysilane as a cross-linker which releases acetic acid, CH3COOH, during curing.

The mask started off as a liquid that reacted to give a cross-linked solid.  Now you have a solid you can not modify the shape.

Offline typhoon2028

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2010, 02:16:40 PM »
The silicone rubber is probably a thermoset.  It will not melt.  You could heat it up and reform it

Offline typhoon2028

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2010, 02:19:04 PM »
Quote
NO and NO.

Silicon is an element and does not smell of formic acid.

Silicone sealants are often formulated with Methyltriacetoxysilane as a cross-linker which releases acetic acid, CH3COOH, during curing.

The mask started off as a liquid that reacted to give a cross-linked solid.  Now you have a solid you can not modify the shape.

This is not always true.  The silicone rubber could be partially cross-linked.  With heat and pressure it may retain a different shape.  It should no melt to a liquid.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2015, 08:46:09 PM by Arkcon »

Offline miker

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2010, 02:28:47 PM »
don't want to make it again liquid!
I only want to stretch a part o the mask!
I tried heat (even bare flame from gas stove) but nothing work!!!

Offline typhoon2028

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2010, 03:43:01 PM »
I wouldn't expose it to an open flame.

Maybe you could post a picture and describe more on what you want to do.

Offline miker

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2010, 06:33:30 AM »
simply stretch a part of the mask to make it more comfortable for my nose!

Offline miker

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2010, 04:13:53 AM »
maybe HCOOH? Silicon often smell of this.
Where can i find these substance?

Offline typhoon2028

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2010, 09:41:10 AM »
maybe HCOOH? Silicon often smell of this.
Where can i find these substance?
It is commonly known as vinegar in low concentrations.

Offline DrCMS

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Re: How to re-melt silicone???
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2010, 10:21:17 AM »
maybe HCOOH? Silicon often smell of this.
Where can i find these substance?
It is commonly known as vinegar in low concentrations.


No it is not; HCOOH is formic acid

CH3COOH is acetic acid or vinegar.

Neither of them will have much effect on silicone.

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