TissueDB/Materials/Castable Materials
Castable materials are materials that are mixed or melted and then poured or cast into a mould while a simulator is being built, rather than bought in a finished shape. What they have in common is the step, not the chemistry: a builder measures and combines components, pours the result into or over a form, and waits for it to set.
This page is a pointer. It carries no build instructions, quantities or costs — each material below has its own page where those live.
References
[edit source]
At a Glance
Overview
[edit source]| Material | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone, Castable | Two-part elastomer, platinum or tin cure | The two parts are combined and poured into a mould. Hardness is adjusted by durometer to match different tissues, and the mix accepts pigment. |
| PVC Plastisol | Liquid vinyl compound | Sets into a soft, flexible solid when heated and holds that form on cooling. Applied over a shaped former, or cast flat as replaceable sheets. |
| Gelatin | Powder dissolved in hot water | Poured and left to set as a tissue phantom. Concentration tunes the stiffness, from needle-insertion drag to soft organ parenchyma. |
| Ballistic Gel | Standardised gelatin, 10% or 20% | Cast into optically clear blocks that can be seen through directly, for ultrasound-guided and needle procedures. Self-healing between uses. |
| Gelatin-Glycerol Gel | Gelatin, glycerol, water and pigment | Combined, heated and moulded to shape where a soft, flexible tissue analogue is wanted. |
| Alginate | Seaweed-derived powder, cross-linked with calcium chloride | Sets into a flexible gel by ionic cross-linking rather than by heat, for organ phantoms and wound simulation. |
| Dental Impression Material | Two-part vinyl polysiloxane putty | Base and catalyst are kneaded together and pressed into shape rather than poured, setting in minutes. Grouped here as a castable on Dr Mohr's ruling; the forming step is pressing, not pouring. |
Synonyms
[edit source]Common names: Castable materials, castables, pourable materials
Related terms: casting, moulding, potting
Background
Clinical Context for Simulation
[edit source]Processing & Preparation
[edit source]Safety Considerations
[edit source]Related Materials
[edit source]| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/Castable Materials". Appropedia. Retrieved July 28, 2026. |