What started off as an insulating material has become one of the most popular elastomer today. Silicone rubber was first developed as an insulating material for generators and motors. Other materials were found to be inadequate to be used in the pressure chamber of an engine. Developed after much research and experimentation, rubber silicone proved to be the most effective solution and once they realized it could be produced commercially, the production of silicon rubber took off. Since then more properties have been added to the rubber. Silicon rubbers are found all around us today. From medical implants, baby sheets to baking sheets, it is used in many ways. It is preferred for its durability, flexibility, stability and high resistance to temperature and weather fluctuations. Silicon rubber profiles be used with equal effectiveness in an oven as well as an automobile. Classification of silicon rubber All silicon rubbers are not the same. The industrial applications of silicon rubber are many. The three main type of silicon found in industrial application are: Liquid silicon rubbers (LSR): The liquid silicon rubber goes through injection moulding and extrusion methods to manufacture desired parts. This is a platinum-cured elastomer. The flexibility of the LSR makes it popular across many applications. There are many types of LSR, which is usually classified according to its function. The different types of LSR are medical grade, self-lubricating, conductive, self-bonding, radio opaque, FLSR, flame retardant and fast cure. High-temperature-vulcanizing (HTV): The rubber is in a semi-solid state before it is cured. It is processed further for more desired results. The rubber is vulcanized to reduce its plastic properties, while improving its elastic properties. It also enhances certain physical properties of the rubber which makes it more useful, such as an increased resistance to solvents and a higher resistance over a wide range of temperatures. Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV): The RTV is available is different grade of hardness or flow. It can range from soft to medium. It is flow able liquid that can be shaped easily. It is commonly used for mould making, sealants, potting and encapsulation. It is usually cured using platinum or tin. Curing of silicon rubber The silicon rubber is usually in a gel or liquid form in its uncured state. To make it useful and to add the desired properties to the rubber, we have to process it further. Processing is done to convert the rubber into solid so that we can use it as silicon rubber profile. The common process are curing, vulcanizing or using catalysts. For instance, LSR is typically platinum cured, HTV is vulcanized and RTV goes through vulcanization and well as catalysed with platinum and tin. The three most common curing methods are platinum-based, condensation and peroxide curing. Silicon rubber has many qualities that make it so popular. Some of these are Chemical resistance: Silicon rubber shows high resistance to a range of liquids, including oils, acids, bases and solvents. This makes it suitable for use in many industries, including automobiles, aerospace, aviation and food industry. It does not react to greasy substances in a car or plane engine or chemicals in food. Versatile: Silicon rubber is a very versatile material. It can moulded into any shape and is available in both soft and hard rubber state. Silicon rubber profiles manufacturers are used for car parts as well as making soft mats. We can vulcanize to remove its plastic property when needed, cure or add catalysts to achieve the properties we want. Consequently, it is now found in a wide range of applications. Durability: Silicon rubber is one of the most durable material you will find. It has high resistance to most chemicals and weather conditions. It can withstand a wide range in temperature — from -50ºC to 250ºC. This is why it is often used in the automotive industry. In the highly corrosive conditions of an engine, the silicon rubber is one of the few elements that can last for a very long time without any leakages or damage. Bonding: Silicon rubber undergoes plasma treatment for bonding with metals. This treatment ensures excellent adhesion quality. This is a critical quality in silicon rubber profiles used in sealing compartments of engines and AC units of automobiles where seeing is critical for safety and temperature control.
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