Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Casting COCONUT soles

The last few days I have been casting several coconut fiber/rubber soles using the Uerethane Rubber compound.

I have been using a ratio of 131g of rubber to 25g of cocofiber.  This may sound like a lot more rubber but its not.  By the time they are mixed the rubber seems almost dry.

I have also been testing several materials that could go on the top of the sole and how they might be stuck to it.

It seems nothing wants to stick to the rubber after its set so glues and paints are out for now.  However if the rubber is allowed to set with a material on the surface it will bond to the material.  However, if the material is absorbent it will draw the rubber mixture all the way through the material. Therefore, leathers and plastics seem to work the best.





The one on the far left is straight out of the mold showing the flash on the edges. The sole to the right of it and in the middle has a canvas top, the white one was stuck on with glue and then sewed because the adhesive failed. On the other, the rubber soaked straight through.   Finally the soles on the right have leather tops and came out really nice. 


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