CCSi UltraLife molds are designed, engineered, and manufactured to produce high quality specimens, over an extended service life!
CCSi manufactures these specimen molds for the classification of the color of raw rubber (natural rubber, or NR) according to a standardized color scale, as described in ASTM D3157 “Standard Test Method for Rubber from Natural Sources—Color.”
Raw rubber is prepared in the CCSi D3157 mold. The color of the molded disks are compared and matched, as closely as possible, with that of colored glass disk standards.
The colored glass disk standards are calibrated, according to the intensity of their color, to provide a color index scale in which higher index values correspond to deeper color.
CCSi manufactures the ASTM D926 Specimen Cutting Dies used to prepare the raw rubber test pieces prior to molding the specimens.
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Typically, CCSi UltraLife molds are manufactured from homogenous, solid, high carbon content A2 mold steel. However, D3157 requires that the mold be manufactured from stainless steel or aluminum. Due to the propensity for aluminum to distort under heat and pressure, only 404 grade stainless steel molds are offered.
Each mold undergoes precision grinding and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining to exacting requirements. The mold cavities are expertly honed and hand polished, after which the mold is industrial chrome plated.
Precision grinding ensures a parallel surface profile of the platens and CNC machining provides ultra-close dimensional tolerances, while the honing and polishing processes guarantee smooth, true specimen cavities. The durable, hard chrome finish resists the corrosive and adhesive effects of most compounds, greatly improving overall durability and ease of maintenance.
The CCSi UltraLife mold platens are thicker than standard molds, providing superior heat and pressure distribution, as well as extending the mold’s useful life by resisting distortion. This also allows the overflow recesses to be deeper, reducing problems associated overfill. The platens are positively positioned with precision guide pins and receivers … assuring precise closure!
CCSi UltraLife molds feature a unique cam-action hinge design which improves the critical distribution of pressure. Typical ‘fixed-hinge’ designs cause material to flow, outwardly, from this constraining point. This uneven application of pressure may cause excessive overfill, or cavity voids. The cam-action hinge design has all of the advantages of ‘stacked plate’ molds, combined with the convenience of ‘fixed-hinge’ designs! NOTE
The handles are manufactured from 304 stainless steel (a chromium – nickel austenitic alloy) and contain integral support pins. This allows the handles to rotate, which facilitates opening the mold. The handles are ergonomically positioned to ease placement and removal from the heated laboratory press. NOTE-1
Large triangular pry slots are located at the corners, opposite the cam-action hinges. These further facilitate mold opening and reduce the occurrence of cavity damage from improperly positioned tools.
The CCSi ASTM D3157 Specimen Molds Feature:
- Exclusive UltraLife engineering;
- Designed with advanced 3D solid modeling;
- Manufactured using computerized systems and techniques;
- CNC (Computer Numerical Control) 4 axis machining;
- Precision ground;
- Expertly honed;
- Finely polished;
- High carbon content A2 mold steel;
- Thicker plates resist warping, distribute heat and pressure evenly;
- Cam action hinges prevent uneven closure;
- 404 Stainless Steel platens;
- Deep overflow recesses (flash pockets) reduce overfill problems;
- Precision locator pins & receivers assure positive alignment;
- High strength fasteners resist the effects of strain and stress;
- Temperature probe orifices may be added for profiling;
- Optional finishes are available for highly corrosive compounds.
Available in:
- ASTM D3157 UltraLife 8 Cavity Mold.
NOTE: handles and hinges are not offered with the D3157 design.
| Part Number | Mold Configuration | Specimen Size |
| CCS-MD3157-8 | D3157 8 Cavity, 3 Plate Specimen Mold | Ø 15 x 1.6 mm (Ø 0.59 x 0.06 in.) |
molds, test specimen molds, Standard Test Method for Rubber from Natural Sources – Color, color, color index, comparator discs, Lovibond, natural rubber, NR.