Silicone Rubber Materials
Silicone Rubber (Polysiloxane, TA) is a semi-organic synthetic compound that offers protection in extreme conditions. High temperature silicone is weather and fire resistant and a great insulator. Silicone has low tensile abrasion and chemical resistance.
Silicone rubber contains a chain of silicon and oxygen atoms, rather than carbon and hydrogen found in other rubber products. This results in a very flexible structure with a wide range of high-performance physical, mechanical and chemical properties. Silicone’s chemical structure creates a fusion of the qualities of metals, with the diversity of plastic.
Properties of Silicone Rubber
Cures Fast
Chemically Inert – Odourless, Tasteless and Creates No By-products
Durometer-Available from Soft to Hard
Easy to Clean
Flexible and Easy to Extrude, Mold or Press
Low and High Temperature Performance
Hypo-Allergenic
Insulating, Heat Dissipating
Resilient
Resistant to Aging Chemicals Flame and Heat
Oils, Oxidation, Ozone, Tearing, Weather, Wear
Excellent Sealing and Bonding Properties
Self-Lubricating Formulas Available Translucent or Easy to Color
Applications
Once mixed and coloured, silicone rubber can be extruded into tubes, strips, solid cord or custom profiles according to the size specifications of the manufacturer. Cord can be joined to make O-rings and extruded profiles can be joined to make seals. Silicone rubber can be moulded into custom shapes and designs. Manufacturers work to set industry tolerances when extruding, cutting or joining silicone rubber profiles. In the UK this is BS 3734, for extrusions the tightest level is El and the widest is E3.
Silicone rubber is used in automotive, many cooking, baking, and food storage products, apparel including undergarments, sportswear, and footwear, electronics, to home repair and hardware, and a host of unseen applications.
Liquid silicone rubber is also manufactured for life science applications (syringe pistons, closure for dispensing system, gaskets for IV flow regulator, respiratory masks, implantable chambers for IV administration), cosmetic products (Mascara brush, make-up packaging, make-up applicator and lipstick moulds) and optics products (circular lens, collimators, Fresnel lenses and free form lenses).
With the addition of carbon or another conductive substance as a powdered filler, silicone rubber can be made electrically conductive while retaining most of its other mechanical properties. As such it is used for flexible contacts which close on being pressed, used in many devices such as computer keyboards and remote control handsets.
Other applications includes:
Diaphragms, Fluid- and Oil-resistant Products
Electrically Insulated Parts with Protective Silicone Coatings
Electrical Voltage Transmitting Parts
Flexible Connectors
Freezer-to-Oven Cookware
Gaskets 8 Seals with Heat/Cold Resistance
Reproductions (Art, Hobby, Museum Pieces)
Sound-Proofing or Noise-Dampening Products
Semi-Conductor Housings