Silicone Rubber Parts
Silicone rubber is a popular fabrication option for high-quality medical products. It’s highly resistant to extreme temperatures, chemicals, harmful effects of UV rays and more.
Liquid injection molding (LIM) is a fast and clean method for producing silicone components and gaskets. Pumping systems deliver the two-part liquid silicone (catalyst and crosslinker) directly into a mold cavity for rapid molding, vulcanization and cure.
Temperature Resistance
Many of our customers require their silicone parts to withstand high temperature environments. Silicone rubber is able to resist heat, open flames and extreme temperatures, making it ideal for gaskets, safety cables and rubber seals.
It is important to note that it’s not just the temperature of silicone that determines its durability, but also the duration of exposure to high temperatures. This is what separates silicone from other rubber materials.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) can be injection molded to create precise, dimensionally accurate components. Tolerances are maintained with the use Silicone Pet Supplies of a CNC or 3D printed master pattern and liquid silicone injection molding (LIM) for clean, consistent parts.
Flexibility
Silicone rubbers can be made into many shapes and sizes. This makes them a popular choice for voltage line insulators, automotive applications, electrical products and appliances.
LSR injection molding is the preferred production method for silicone parts because it offers a closed-loop system that reduces the chance of contamination. It also allows for fast cycle times and the consolidation of multiple functional features into one part. The resulting parts are strong, durable and resilient. They can withstand extreme temperature changes and harsh environments.
Durability
Silicone rubbers can withstand exposure to UV, ozone and other aging factors that break down organic elastomers. This makes them suitable for many applications requiring durable components.
Its chemical inertness enables silicone rubber to be used in foods, cosmetics and laundry soap as an ingredient and sealant. It can also be shaped into o-rings and other shapes with injection molding. Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a heat-cured elastomer that produces parts with complex geometries that are difficult to fabricate using other methods.
Moisture Resistance
Silicone rubber is resistant to damage from water, ozone, UV rays, radiation and many other chemicals. It is also hypoallergenic and odourless, making it suitable for medical applications and food industry products.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a two-part platinum-cured elastomer used for injection molding. LSR is often chosen for its wide temperature range, low compression set and resistance to aging. It is also a great choice for fabricating complex shapes, intricate profiles and cross-sectional parts like hoses, cords, oven seals and wire insulation.
Heat Resistance
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) can withstand very high temperatures for extended periods of time without degrading. While it can become hard and less stretchy if exposed to extreme heat, it will not melt.
This is due to the stronger siloxane bonds versus carbon-carbon bonds found in other types of elastomers. Silicone also offers good insulation properties, making it suitable for electrical applications. This is the type of material used in O-rings, bellows, and diaphragms. It is tolerant to harsh outdoor conditions including UV, ozone, and general weathering.
Chemical Resistance
Silicone rubber resists a wide range of chemicals and environmental factors. It withstands extreme heat and high temperatures, as well as corrosive chemicals and radiation.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is commonly used to create injection molded parts for the automotive, aerospace and medical industries. It also offers resistance to corona discharge, making it an excellent choice for electrical applications.
Its chemical resistance includes resistance to oil, engine oils, methyl and ethyl alcohols and mineral acids. It is also suitable for use in food-grade and medical-grade applications.
Resistance to UV Rays
Liquid silicone rubber Silicone Pet Supplies Manufacturer (LSR) combines highly transparent material performance with long-term durability. This combination of optical clarity and design freedom makes it an ideal choice for complex parts that need both.
For example, the ozone created by corona discharge deteriorates most organic rubbers but has little effect on silicone rubber. It also has excellent weatherability, which means it can be exposed to UV rays and other harsh environmental conditions for extended periods without degrading. This gives it greater longevity in hostile environments. It also has good radiation resistance when phenyl is added, making it suitable for cables and connectors in nuclear power plants.
Low Compression Set
Compression set is a property that measures the ability of a material to resist permanent deformation under a certain load for a prolonged period of time. It’s typically measured in a percentage.
Materials with low compression sets are able to withstand repeated compressive loads, like those found in seals or gaskets. This enables them to perform at peak capacity for extended periods of time.
FKM and EPDM are two common examples of rubber materials with low compression set, especially when peroxide cured. Stockwell Elastomerics offers a wide range of FKM and EPDM products with superior compression set properties.
Low Rotation Barriers
The molecular backbone of silicone has very little rotational energy, making it incredibly flexible. This means you can bend, twist, pinch and compress the material after it’s been vulcanized without damaging its original shape.
Unlike most plastics, silicone rubber can tolerate high temperatures. This makes it ideal for a variety of environments and industries.
When burned, silicone rubbers release very little smoke or noxious gases. In addition, phenyl groups can be added to the polymer molecules of silicone rubbers, which make them resistant to radiation. This helps them survive in hostile environments, like those of nuclear power plants.
Low Stress Relaxation
Silicone rubber is an elastomer, which means it has the properties of both plastic and rubber. It is soft and flexible, making it ideal for sealing enclosures and protecting devices from shocks.
While some non-silicone elastomers lose their flexibility at high temperatures, silicone rubber stays soft and resilient at elevated levels. It also has low stress relaxation, so it retains its original shape after long periods of compression.
Liquid silicone injection molding (LIM) is the most common method of manufacturing custom silicone rubber components. Stockwell Elastomerics uses this method to create durable and reliable parts for many applications.