The demand for new and innovative products has led to the development of new materials and manufacturing methods. One of them is liquid silicone rubber molding. It is a vital production method critical in producing silicone parts, seals, among others.
While this production method is very useful and productive, it is also very complicated and should be properly handled.
What is liquid silicone rubber molding, and what are its benefits to many industries? This article will answer this question.
What is Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding?
Liquid silicone rubber molding involves using a specific material, liquid silicone rubber to manufacture durable and pliable components and parts in high volume. This material is unique because it has higher stability and is heat and cold resistant, qualities that are particularly valuable in some industries.
Liquid silicone rubber can provide more advantages than thermoplastics. It gives more options and can make high-quality final products for use in a variety of applications, from medical to electronics to appliances and automotive.
Silicone baby toys
Benefits of Using Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding
Here are the three advantages of using liquid silicone rubber molding that you should know:
It is cost-effective in producing quality seals and parts
While liquid injection molding may seem complicated, it is very precise compared to other types of molding, like transfer or compression molding. It is also faster and more cost-effective.
The process can be fully automated, which means it needs minimal human intervention. With automation, manufacturers can save on labor costs. Another benefit of automation is it hastens the process allowing the cycle time to complete in seconds.
Liquid silicone rubber has great sealing benefits
Since its development, liquid silicone rubber became an excellent choice of material for many industries. It is particularly useful in making gaskets and insulation because of its rubber-like property, which makes it ideal for shaping and molding processes. It is also heat and cold resistant, as it can withstand acids, solvents, chemicals, and oils.
Silicone is an ideal material for liquid injection molding as it has a low compression set in a wide range of durometers. The flexibility it offers makes it a perfect process for the medical industry.
It produces minimal waste or contamination
Since the liquid silicone rubber molding process is a closed system, it minimizes the contamination of the raw material because there is no exposure to the environment. This is the reason why this process is much in demand to the medical industry where contamination is not acceptable.
Liquid silicone rubber molding is also capable of handling customization. It can create custom shapes with minimal rubber or flash waste. Flash is the extra-thin layer of material that exceeds the normal parts. It can be caused by the clamping force, faster injection speed, or tool damage. Since this process is precise and automated, it can minimize waste and flash.
Despite some drawbacks, the benefits of using liquid silicone rubber molding outweigh them. It provides the cost-effectiveness and consistency that is a perfect fit for many industries.