This guide is intended for SALTGATOR users. It explains the material’s basic characteristics and how to safely use both the unheated SoftGel and finished products after heat forming. Before first use, read the product label and the instructions for the compatible equipment.
Remember: Maintain good ventilation. Avoid eye contact and prolonged skin contact with SoftGel. Keep it away from children, pets, food, and open flames. Wear safety goggles and heat-resistant gloves during heating. If smoke, a clearly irritating odor, or unusual discoloration occurs, stop heating immediately, disconnect the power, and ventilate the area.
1. Understanding SALTGATOR SoftGel
SALTGATOR SoftGel PVC Plastisol (hereinafter referred to as “SoftGel”) is a PVC plastisol. The PVC resin forms the structural framework of the finished material, while the DINCH plasticizer provides flexibility and processability. Heat-stabilizing components are also included. DINCH is a non-phthalate plasticizer, but this does not mean SoftGel is safe to ingest or that it is automatically certified as food-grade, toy-grade, or suitable for pet products.
At room temperature, SoftGel is a paste-like liquid. It gradually plasticizes when heated and can then be injected into a suitable mold. After cooling, it forms a soft, flexible finished product. Different hardness options are available. Actual flow, forming temperature, and cooling time may vary with hardness, quantity, mold, and ambient conditions.
Material Characteristic |
What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
Odor |
The odor is generally mild during normal processing. A mild odor does not eliminate the need for ventilation. |
|
Contact with water
|
SoftGel is insoluble in water. After a spill, do not wash it into a sink, drain, or natural body of water. |
Heating |
SoftGel can be plasticized and formed when heated. Overheating, abnormal smoke, or burning may produce harmful gases. |
After cooling |
The finished product is soft and flexible and may be used for approved applications such as models, flexible structures, cushioning components, or soft fishing lures. |
2. Before You Begin
- Work in a well-ventilated area. Choose a dry indoor location. Avoid bedrooms and enclosed spaces. Use local exhaust ventilation when necessary.
- Wear protective equipment. Prepare safety goggles and heat-resistant gloves. If direct contact with SoftGel is possible, wear chemical-resistant gloves such as nitrile or rubber gloves.
- Inspect the product and equipment. Confirm that the bottle label, hardness, container, and equipment are in normal condition. Stop and check SoftGel before use if it shows obvious separation, clumping, discoloration, or an unusually strong odor.
- Prepare the work area. Remove food, drinks, open flames, and unnecessary items. Keep the equipment grounded and the work surface dry.
- Do not leave the process unsupervised. Minors must not operate the equipment independently. Keep children, pets, and untrained persons away from the equipment, SoftGel, and hot components.
3. Safe Use of SoftGel
When handling SoftGel, prevent ingestion, splashes, prolonged skin contact, and inhalation of vapors or smoke generated during heating. Do not smoke, eat, or drink in the work area. Wash your hands after use.
Exposure Route |
How to Prevent Exposure |
First Action After Exposure |
|---|---|---|
Skin |
Wear chemical-resistant gloves and avoid prolonged or extensive contact. |
Remove contaminated clothing and wash thoroughly with soap and plenty of water. |
Eyes |
Wear safety goggles, prevent splashes, and do not rub your eyes with contaminated hands. |
Immediately rinse gently with running water for at least 15 minutes. |
Inhalation |
Maintain good ventilation. Do not lean over the nozzle or place your face near it; avoid inhaling vapors or fumes. |
Stop heating and move to fresh air. |
Ingestion |
Do not store the material in food or beverage containers. Reseal it promptly after use and keep it away from children and pets. |
Rinse the mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately. |
4. Heating and Forming
Always follow the recommended parameters for the specific hardness level, current batch, and compatible equipment. A common reference range for forming is approximately 120–160°C (248–320°F), but adjustments may be required for different material conditions and molds. The maximum temperature marked on the equipment is not the recommended temperature for routine processing. Do not keep increasing the temperature simply to make the material flow faster.
- Prevent burns: The nozzle, barrel, metal components, mold, and heated SoftGel can become extremely hot. Never point the nozzle toward a person during operation, and do not touch hot parts with bare hands before they have completely cooled.
- Maintain ventilation: Ventilation is required even during normal processing. Do not operate the equipment in a bedroom or enclosed space.
- Watch for abnormalities: If visible smoke, an irritating acidic odor, eye stinging, rapid material discoloration, or persistent bubbling occurs, stop heating immediately, disconnect the power, and leave the exposure area.
- Perform maintenance safely: Before cleaning the nozzle, changing material, or carrying out maintenance, disconnect the power and wait until the equipment has cooled to a safe temperature.
Do not directly bake or burn either SoftGel or finished products. Overheating or fire may produce harmful decomposition gases. “Not readily flammable” does not mean the material presents no risk in a fire.
5. Safe Use of Finished Products
Finished products have been plasticized by heat and cooled, so during normal use they no longer present the same flow and splash risks as SoftGel. Use each item only for its intended purpose and wash your hands before eating. Stop using a finished product if it becomes cracked, powdery, unusually sticky, noticeably discolored, or develops a strong odor.
Use Scenario |
Safety Limits |
|---|---|
Routine handling and display |
Use as intended for models, flexible structures, cushioning components, soft fishing lures, or other approved applications. Avoid prolonged skin contact and wash your hands before eating. |
Children |
Do not use as a toy intended for mouthing or chewing. An adult must supervise any display or hands-on experience, and small parts must be kept from being swallowed. |
Pets |
Do not use as a pet chew, food, or chewable object. Remove damaged small pieces immediately. |
Food and medical uses |
Do not use for direct food contact, tableware, medical implants, or other applications requiring specific certification. |
High temperatures and fire |
Avoid prolonged high temperatures, open flames, baking, and burning. Do not leave finished products in locations where temperatures may continue to rise. |
Outdoor and water use |
Use only as intended and promptly retrieve damaged or discarded parts. Do not leave them in soil or bodies of water. |
Finished products may be reheated and reused under a confirmed process, but “reprocessable” should not be understood to mean that the material can be reheated indefinitely. Inspect the material before each use. Stop reusing it if you notice an unusual odor, color, stickiness, or brittleness.
6. Pigments, Glitter, and Other Additives
Additives may change the SoftGel’s flow, heating behavior, odor, and finished condition. Give priority to products recommended by SALTGATOR or clearly identified as suitable for PVC plastisol, heat-resistant, and plasticizer-resistant. Make a small test batch before mixing an additive for the first time.
| Category | Recommended Choice | Do Not Add Without Verification |
| Pigments | Heat-resistant, oil-based colorants or fine powders specifically intended for PVC plastisol. | Water-based colorants, acrylic paints, alcohol inks, or resin pigments of unknown suitability. |
| Glitter/flakes | PET/polyester-based products that are heat-resistant, plasticizer-resistant, and appropriately sized for the equipment. | Paper glitter, coarse craft glitter, or metal/coated flakes of unknown composition. |
| Scent or functional additives | Specialized products with instructions that clearly identify them as suitable for soft plastics or soft fishing lures. | Food flavorings, essential oils, perfume, alcohol-based fragrances, or ordinary fragrance oils. |
If separation, clumping, blockage, a strong odor, abnormal smoke, stickiness, or brittleness occurs after mixing, stop using the mixture. Do not attempt to correct the problem by continuing to raise the temperature. After third-party materials are added, the original safety information for SoftGel does not automatically apply to the new mixture.
7. Storage, Spills, Cleaning, and Disposal
Storage: Keep SoftGel tightly sealed in its original container. Store it between 10–30°C (50–86°F) in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, ignition sources, heat, and food. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Do not transfer it into drink bottles, food containers, or any other container that could be mistaken for food or drink.
Handling and transport: Check that the cap and container are intact. Keep the container upright, secured, protected from sunlight, and protected from impact. Do not store or transport it together with food or strongly oxidizing or strongly acidic chemicals.
Small spills: Put on gloves and safety goggles and maintain good ventilation. Collect SoftGel with sand or another inert absorbent, then place it in a sealable, clearly labeled container. Do not use water to wash SoftGel into a sink, drain, soil, or natural body of water. For a large spill, a strong odor, or any spill you cannot safely control, leave the area and contact trained professionals.
Cleaning tools and surfaces: For washable tools and work surfaces that are safe for use with detergent, first remove as much uncured SoftGel as possible with a scraper, paper towels, or an inert absorbent. Then use a small amount of dishwashing liquid and warm water to wipe away the remaining oily film. Wipe with clean water and allow the item or surface to dry. Wear gloves while cleaning and first test the detergent on an inconspicuous area to confirm surface compatibility. Do not flush clumps or large amounts of SoftGel directly into a drain. Do not clean with gasoline, strong solvents, or an open flame. If SoftGel gets on your skin, wash with soap or hand wash and plenty of water; do not use solvents on the skin.
Disposal: Seal and separate unused SoftGel, contaminated absorbents, and finished products that can no longer be used. Dispose of them in accordance with local requirements for chemical or industrial waste. Do not burn, dump, or abandon them outdoors or in bodies of water.
8. Emergency Response
| Situation | Take These Actions Immediately |
| SoftGel in the eyes | Hold the eyelids open and immediately rinse gently with running water or saline for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if this can be done safely. Do not rub the eyes. Seek medical attention if irritation or vision problems continue. |
| SoftGel on the skin | Remove contaminated clothing and wash thoroughly with soap and plenty of water. Seek medical attention for persistent redness, pain, an allergic reaction, or extensive exposure. |
| Inhalation of smoke or vapor | Stop heating, disconnect the power, and move to fresh air. Seek emergency medical assistance immediately if breathing becomes difficult or if chest tightness, persistent coughing, or altered consciousness occurs. |
| Ingestion | Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Do not induce vomiting. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention immediately and take the product label or SDS with you. |
| Thermal burns | Move away from the heat source and cool the affected area under cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Do not forcibly remove adhered material. Seek medical attention for blistering, extensive or deep burns, or burns to the face or joints. |
| Smoke or irritating acidic odor | Stop use, disconnect the power, ventilate, and evacuate the area. Do not resume operation until the area has been thoroughly ventilated. Contact emergency services or the fire department if several people feel unwell or if smoke continues. |
| Equipment fire | Evacuate people first. Disconnect the power only if it is safe to do so. Do not use water on energized electrical equipment. Call the fire department immediately if the fire cannot be safely controlled at an early stage. |
For medical care: Take the product label and the SDS/MSDS for the corresponding batch so medical personnel can assess the exposure.
Document notice: This guide is based on the current product label, user manual, and safety data. It does not replace the label, SDS/MSDS, equipment instructions, or local regulations applicable to a specific batch. If different documents contain inconsistent information, stop the relevant operation and follow the current formal documentation provided by the supplier for that batch.
Version: User Edition v1.2 | August 12, 2026 | Cleaning guidance added