Advantages of Silicone Rubber Parts

Silicone rubber can be molded to produce a wide range of custom parts and products. These items can include bellows, diaphragms and O-rings.

Silicone manufacturing techniques are designed to optimize quality, resistance and production speed. These fabrication methods include compression molding, injection molding and transfer molding.

Liquid silicone rubber is pumped into a mold and heated to allow for the material to cure, producing a finished component.

Versatility

Unlike some other materials, silicone rubber parts can be crafted to suit the role Silicone Pet Supplies they play. They can be designed to withstand extreme temperatures, harmful chemicals and electrical effects. They are also resistant to radiation and UV rays.

Because of these qualities, silicones are used for a variety of medical purposes. They are commonly fabricated into medical tubing; insulators; gaskets and seals. They are also used as molds for implants and as a barrier between a body’s skin and surgical instruments.

Liquid silicones can be molded into complex geometries through liquid injection molding, transfer molding or compression molding techniques. Silicone elastomer can be made in a wide range of durometers from 10 to 70.

These characteristics make silicone an ideal raw material for medical fabrications. It is compatible with many FDA regulations and can withstand electron beam, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide and steam autoclaving sterilisation methods. It can also be colour matched to specific pantone or RAL codes, and glow-in-the-dark compounds are available for use in applications that require luminescence. This versatility explains why it is so widely used by the medical industry.

Temperature Resistance

Silicone rubber is able to retain its shape and durability even in extreme heat and cold environments. This makes it an ideal choice for a variety of applications that require long-lasting protection from open flames, UV radiation, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. It is also easy to sterilize, making it a useful medical-grade material.

Silicon rubber has a high temperature resistance compared to other organic rubbers, such as natural rubber latex or polyurethane. However, unlike these polymers, silicone has a silicon-to-oxygen backbone that allows it to resist a wider range of temperatures without degrading.

The exact point at which silicone begins to degrade due to its temperature resistance is dependent on the specific environment that it is situated in, but it can withstand temperatures up to 150degC for prolonged periods of time. This means that silicone is a useful alternative to polyurethane and nitrile products for applications Silicone Pet Supplies Manufacturer that will be exposed to extremely hot or cold conditions. The heat resistance of silicone rubber can be further enhanced through the use of high-temperature resistant additives and improved material preparation technology.

Moisture Resistance

With a unique molecular structure that includes both inorganic and organic groups, silicone rubber can be made with a range of additives to achieve specific properties for different applications. These additives include elastomeric stabilizers, fillers and reinforcing agents that provide the resilience and strength needed to fabricate silicone rubber parts.

Silicone rubber is also resistant to moisture, ozone and UV radiation that can degrade other polymeric materials. This resistance makes it an excellent choice for construction and manufacturing to protect property from extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals and heavy rainfall.

Manufacturers can choose from several fabrication methods to make silicone parts, including extrusion, liquid injection molding (LIM) and room temperature vulcanizing silicone (RTV). When choosing a fabricator, it’s important that the company has diverse qualifications to aid in design assistance, prototyping, material and part testing, and manufacturing efficiencies. A full-service silicone rubber fabricator will offer multiple fabrication methods and have an engineering department to support product development.

Chemical Resistance

Silicone rubber parts have great chemical resistance to a wide range of chemicals and extreme temperatures. This is primarily due to the unique molecular structure of this material. The silicone rubber molecules consist of long chains of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. This creates a giant backbone that is resistant to heat and weathering. It also provides a good barrier against water and many chemicals including some acids, oxidizing chemicals and ammonia.

Like other elastomers, silicones are innocuous to human bodies and are able to withstand high temperatures that are required for sterilization processes. This makes them a popular choice for medical tubing and seals.

Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a special type of liquid polymer that can be molded into parts using injection molding. Its elasticity and durability are highly valued by companies who need to fabricate small, complex silicone rubber parts with minimal effort and at fast production speeds. LSR is used to make a variety of silicone rubber parts such as valves, gaskets and bellows.

Electrical Insulation

Silicone rubber parts are an excellent electrical insulator. This is particularly important in high-voltage areas such as in transformers, power lines and other electrical equipment. Silicone also remains non-conductive when damaged by heat, which reduces the risk of runaway arcing that could cause fires or explosions.

These properties make silicone an excellent choice for splice tape and other insulating materials that must withstand extreme temperatures and conditions. Non-dyed silicone splice tape with an iron oxide additive (which makes the tape a red-orange color) is commonly used in aircraft and aerospace wiring applications as it can be stretched tightly around cables, wires or joints and then fused together by heating to form a strong, resilient rubbery insulator.

In addition to being an outstanding insulator, silicone is resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including most petroleum-based fluids and many other industrial compounds. It is also highly resistant to ozone, which extends its longevity. This combination of chemical and thermal stability makes it an ideal material for high-performance elastomer solutions. This is why it is frequently used in food industry and medical applications, such as pacemakers and stents.