The Versatility of Silicone Rubber Parts
Silicone rubber parts are used in a wide range of products. Their versatility comes from a number of unique qualities that are often difficult to find in other materials.
Silicones are manufactured using compression, transfer and rubber injection molding processes using High Consistency or Liquid silicone. They can be made translucent or opaque and are extremely durable.
Excellent Temperature Resistance
High temperature resistance is one of the most important properties that silicone rubber possesses. It can operate at temperatures over 260oF for long periods of time without becoming brittle or melting. It also maintains flexibility over a wide range of temperatures.
This makes it ideal for use in applications like food and beverage packaging, automotive sensors, and Silicone rubber parts medical devices where temperature is a critical factor. It can also be used for sealing applications in aerospace and aviation where extreme temperature fluctuations and exposure to chemicals are common.
The exceptional resistance properties of silicone rubber make it a great choice for harsh environments. It’s not affected by ozone, UV radiation, corona discharge, cosmic or ionizing radiation, or natural gases that can degrade other elastomers.
A Shore 60A tin catalyzed silicone mold rubber with good thermal stability and low linear shrinkage. It can be molded to create foundry patterns for flat pattern reproductions and casting low-melt metal alloys. This type of silicone rubber can be used for molding parts with complicated geometries or tight tolerances. The material is easy to work with, and manufacturers can quickly meet industry tolerances for extrusion or injection molding.
Low-Stress Relaxation
Silicone rubber is a very elastic material, which means that it can expand and contract repeatedly without losing its shape. This property makes it ideal for seals and closures. It is also able to maintain its shape under high levels of compression for extended periods, making it perfect for flexible contacts that close on being pressed.
The shear durability of silicone rubber can be reliably assessed by testing the stress relaxation properties. The test results indicate that stress relaxation decreases with increasing shear load duration. This is a result of structural rearrangement and molecular relaxation.
Silicone is a biocompatible and sterilizable material, making it an excellent choice for medical applications. It is used to make tubing, catheters, wound care products, and orthopedic pads that contact or even enter the body. Silicone is also popular for its waterproof and weather-resistant properties, which are ideal for caulking and adhesives. Silicone is also non-toxic and does not release harmful substances during heating or use. These characteristics make it an ideal alternative to plastics, which have caused many problems in the environment and ecosystem.
Good Electrical Conductivity
Rubber and electricity aren’t typically thought of as compatible materials, but silicone rubber can conduct electricity. Conductive silicones are made by adding carbon and other fillers that have conductive properties, which allows the material to conduct electric currents.
Incorporating metallic particles allows the elastomer Silicone rubber parts to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). Conductive silicones can also protect electronics from static charge. They are often used in touch screens and flexible circuits, where they help transmit signals through the rubber.
Conductive silicones can be formulated with carbon black or silver to provide different levels of electrical conductivity. They are able to handle high levels of electric resistance and have good mechanical properties, like thermal stability and compression set.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a highly viscous material that can be molded to fit complex and delicate components. Its platinum-catalyzed cross-linking process creates a stable framework without creating volatile byproducts. The material is durable and can withstand outdoor exposure for extended periods of time without deteriorating or degrading. It is also resistant to a range of chemicals, including dilute acids.
Excellent Flexibility
The automotive industry demands durable, long lasting components that can withstand the harsh conditions of vehicle use. Silicone rubber has the strength and durability to meet these needs in the form of hoses, seals and gaskets. It also resists the temperature changes and vibrations encountered during car operation.
Unlike plastic which can degrade over time and rubber which can lose its flexibility, silicone is resistant to extreme temperatures and has a low chemical reactivity. This makes it ideal for applications where exposure to ozone, chemicals, and high-temperatures is inevitable.
Liquid silicone rubber is easy to mold into any shape that you need and the resulting product has great flexibility, tensile strength and compression resistance. Silicone elastomers are available in different compounds that can be adjusted to strengthen specific properties, such as electrical conductivity or heat and cold resistance. These customizations help manufacturers achieve their desired end products more easily while minimizing costly downtime and production delays. Talk to an expert today to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of working with silicone fabrication materials.
Low Rotation Barriers
Unlike rubber latex, which is a sticky gel, liquid silicone rubber must be cured or vulcanized to solidify into a durable material. This process is referred to as injection molding. During this process, room temperature liquid silicone is injected into and cured in the mold.
The result is a strong, flexible and long-lasting product that resists oxidative degradation from UV rays, ozone, oxygen and water. This makes it ideal for use in the outdoors. Moreover, the material is easy to sanitize, making it an excellent choice for medical and food manufacturing facilities.
Stockwell Elastomerics offers a range of liquid silicone rubber compounds for injection molding that can be custom matched to specific application needs. The most popular LSR is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which can be used for a wide variety of applications. Our in-house inventory of room temperature liquid silicones and a variety of injection molds ensure quick response times. The ability to create molds using PolyJet 3D printing slashes production times as well. The process uses computer-aided design to make a mold, and the finished product can be made in just one to two days.