Advantages of Silicone Rubber Parts
Silicone rubber parts are used in a wide range of industries from insulators to electrical connector seals. This material is versatile and has a number of unique properties.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a two-part platinum cured elastomer that can be injection molded to create complex shaped components. LSR compounds can be formulated to have unique characteristics like self-lubricating, conductive or radio-opaque.
Ease of Manufacturing
As a semi-organic synthetic rubber, silicones offer a number of advantages that make them well-suited to a variety of environments. They retain their flexibility in a wide range of temperatures and are highly resistant to chemicals, steam, UV and radiation. Their versatility and durability have made them popular across a wide range of industries and applications.
Silicone rubbers can be molded using many methods, including injection molding and compression molding. Both methods require a master pattern, which is usually created using modern rapid prototyping technologies, to produce Silicone rubber parts the desired shape. Once the master is created, the process can be replicated to create a large quantity of parts. Injection molds are most common, and can be used to make a wide range of shapes and sizes. The process is fast, accurate and enables 24/7 production.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) can be injected into a mold to create high-precision parts with complex geometries that may not be possible with other types of materials. LSR has the shortest molecular chains of the three most common rubbers, which allows for faster injection molding times, and requires less specialized equipment to use than other silicones.
LSR also has a low compression set, meaning it can resist permanent deformation under constant strain. This makes it ideal for sealing and closures. It is also odor-free and tasteless, with BfR and FDA compliance, making it suitable for food or medical applications.
Versatility
Silicone rubber is an incredibly versatile material that can be used in many different industries. The reason for this is due to its unique chemical structure, which consists of alternating units of silicon and oxygen. This allows for the addition of organic groups that can be customized to fit the specific needs of each industry. In fact, it’s this versatility that makes silicone so popular.
Heat-curable silicones are used for industrial applications like gaskets and seals because they can withstand high temperatures. They come in a solid state and are typically cured using organic peroxides or platinum catalysts. This type of silicone is also able to withstand radiation and chemicals.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is another type of heat-curable elastomer that can be manufactured through injection molding. It has a lower viscosity and cycle time than HTV, which allows for the production of complex molded shapes. It is available in a wide range of compounds, including medical grade, self-lubricating, conductive and radio-opaque.
Injection molding silicone can be made into a wide range of shapes and sizes, making it an ideal material for the creation of innovative products. It is resistant to UV, ozone and weathering, and can last 30-50 years outdoors without deterioration. Additionally, it has an incredibly broad temperature range that can handle scorching temperatures as high as +400 F and icy cold conditions down to -40 F.
Durability
A silicone rubber part’s lifespan is shaped by an interplay of its internal properties, environmental conditions and external stresses. Testing and predictive modeling serve as guiding stars, helping us understand the factors that influence a component’s longevity. Regular maintenance and proactive replacement strategies help preserve its durability, shielding it from potential degradation and prolonging its effective lifespan.
The manufacturing process used to make silicone rubber parts depends on the desired end-use. For example, extrusion is often used to create hoses, cords, and complex profiles with complex cross-sectional features. This method uses HCR compounds with platinum catalysts that are preformed into a strip or loaf and then fed into an extruder that presses it through a hardened steel die with a cutout pattern. The resulting profiled silicone is then pulled through an oven to cure it and develop its final physical characteristics.
The choice of material is also an important factor in determining a silicone rubber’s lifespan. For example, neoprene is generally more resistant to oils than silicone, making it a better option for applications where the component will come into contact with solvents and greases. However, it’s important to note that both neoprene and silicone are chemically resistant to methyl and ethyl alcohols, mineral acids, and salt solutions. Additive formulations can further increase the durability of a silicone rubber product or seal, allowing it to withstand extreme temperatures and abrasions.
Customization
Silicone rubber can be made into a range of shapes, sizes and designs to meet even the most specific application needs. The material is also able to endure extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals and radiation exposure required for medical-grade materials, making it useful in applications such as silicone tubing and catheters. Its resistance to moisture, odor and UV radiation allows it to be used in kitchen utensils such as silicone stirring spoons that can be immersed in hot or cold liquids without melting or degrading.
Liquid injection molding (LIM) can create precise, high-precision parts with complex geometries and tight tolerances that may not be possible through compression molding or extrusion. LIM is also a cost-effective method for producing large quantities of high-quality silicone parts. It is available in a variety of colors and durometers to meet various aesthetic and performance requirements.
In addition to LIM, Stockwell Elastomerics can produce molded silicone components through traditional compression molding or by using calendering, which involves running a sheet of silicone through pairs of hard Silicone Rubber Parts – Supplier steel rollers that are adjusted for pressure and speed to achieve desired results. The resulting silicone sheets can be shiny, matte, smooth, adherent or embossed.
Room temperature vulcanizing silicone (RTV) can be molded, pressed or spread to make seals, gaskets and bonding compounds that cure upon contact with oxygen. RTV is available in a wide range of viscosities and is suitable for casting, extrusion, and compression molding.
