Silicone-based products have been with the automotive industry for quite some time now. These parts made from the silicone molding process offer great solutions for this quick phasing sector. With many innovations in the safety and efficiency of vehicle models, product designers are finding more uses for liquid silicone rubber each day.
Silicone molding creates automotive components including grommets and other applications ranging from valves, windshield wipers, seals, dampers, and harness components. Lately, we have been seeing significant use of LSRs for LED headlamps.
Advantages of LSR to the Automotive Industry
The material used in silicone molding, LSR offers excellent properties that we cannot find in other materials. These properties are a perfect fit for the requirements of the automotive industry. Here are the top four advantages of LSRs that are proven useful for this sector.
1. Temperature
Because liquid silicone rubber possesses great thermal stability, it can withstand extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold without impacting its properties. This property is ideal for a variety of automotive applications since the part will remain unchanged despite the engine heat and friction from the components of the car.
2. Compression Set
Another advantage of LSR is its compression set. This material can reset after compression, meaning it can go back to its original state and keep its characteristics over time. As such silicone molded parts are excellent as seals for critical operations that demand efficiency and safety.
Windshield wipers
3. Chemical Resistance
The great thing about LSR is it is impervious to oxidation, not only with water but other chemicals too. This property is excellent for making seals, grommets, sensors, and other parts that can be found in an automobile. It can also withstand harsh conditions including the salt on the road, UV rays, and chemicals from the engine of the vehicle.
4. Clarity
Depending on the silicone molding technique, or the kind of liquid silicone rubber, the material offers a wide range of clarity suited for the automobile’s optical applications.
Various Applications of LSR in Automotive Products
Many silicone molding companies can provide solutions that satisfy any strict automobile requirements. These applications include the following:
- For connector seals ta are used in wire harnesses in the vehicle like wire seals, grommets, and sealed connectors
- Used for vehicle parts including housing and seals for proximity sensors, and also for dampeners for its climate control system
- It is also used for engine components like spark plug boots, gaskets, power-frame sealing, and ignition components
- Sealing solutions for both electrical and high-speed data connectors
- Vibration and interior cushioning
- Lighting components like LED diffusers and headlight seals and gaskets
The Future of LSR in the Automotive Industry
Liquid silicone rubber is in tune with the trends in the automobile industry. These trends are caused by the increasing electrification of vehicles. Autonomous technology and artificial intelligence. Some of these emerging trends including components for electric-powered cars, autonomous cars, comfort and safety features, and many more.
There you have it. The reason why liquid silicone rubber and silicone molding is the most compatible manufacturing technique for the automobile industry. If you want to know more about the material and the process, contact Nice Rapid.