Silicone Rubber Molding

Introduction
From this article, you will learn what silicone rubber molding is, its products, and their
uses.You will learn:

 What is Silicone Rubber Molding?

 Silicone Rubber Molding Processes
 What Silicone Rubber Molds Are
 The Materials Used for Silicone Rubber Molding
 The Advantages of Silicone Rubber Molding
 And much more …


Chapter One: What is Silicone Rubber Molding?

Silicone rubber molding is a method for shaping, forming, and fabricating silicone
rubber parts and products using a heated mold. The process involves compressing
or injecting silicone rubber into a mold where it takes the shape and form of the mold
cavity. The processes used to produce silicone rubber molded parts are injection,
compression, and transfer molding each of which relies on a mold made of steel or
cast iron.
The various forms of silicone rubber vary in their hardness and pliability, which
makes the material an ideal choice for applications that require durability and
flexibility with resistance to high and low temperatures and wear. In many
applications, silicone rubber is used in place of other forms of rubber due to its ability
to withstand temperatures above 100°C (212°F), a characteristic that makes it ideal
for use as medical instruments and seals and gaskets for engines.

Chapter Two: Types of Silicone Rubber

The initial purpose for silicone rubbers was to insulate generators and electric
motors. As the many positive properties of silicone rubber were discovered, it
evolved into a common household and industrial material that can serve nearly any
purpose. The choice of the correct type of silicone rubber can enhance the
performance of a product or part. Its heat resistance, which is one of its major
properties, is due to its combination of silicone, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

Silicone rubber is a modern elastomer that has properties that differentiates it from
organic elastomers such as natural rubber, latex, and polyurethane. It is made from
silicone and oxygen, which are two of the most common elements on earth and exist
as silica and silicate. The silicon base for silicone rubber was isolated in the early
19th century but did not find commercial use until the middle of the 20th century.

When silicone rubber was first synthesized, it was believed that it did not have any
practical or commercial use. In the 20th century, electric motors and generators were
a common part of industrial operations. Since they generated a great deal of heat,
they need to be covered in a heat resistant material. At the time, resin impregnated
glass fibers seemed to be the solution. Unfortunately, the resin material could not
endure the heat from small motors.
In the search for a heat resistant material, scientists synthesized the first silicone
polymer that could withstand the heat of the motors and generators. The discovery
led to the production of silicone rubber, which was initiated by Dow Chemical and
Dow Corning in 1943. As engineers studied the material, they discovered its broader
use for other products.

Silicone Rubber Classifications

Part of the process of classifying silicone rubber involves the use of the Shore
hardness scale, which measures the resistance of a material to deform under
pressure using a durometer. Higher numbers on the durometer indicate the
resistance of a material to indentation. Shore scales are divided into Shore A, Shore
D, and Shore 00 with Shore 00 being used to measure the hardness of very soft
materials. Each shore scale has a range of 0 to 100 with 0 representing soft, non-
metallic materials and 100 being the hardest.

The properties of silicone rubbers, such as thermal conductivity, fire resistance,

chemical stability, flame retardancy, and heat and cold resistance, can be adjusted
by changing the base polymer by adding reinforcing fillers and additives. The
purpose of such changes is to strengthen silicone rubber to meet the needs of an
application. The classification of silicone rubbers is based on their properties.

General Purpose Silicone Rubber

General purpose silicone rubber has a Shore hardness of A 30 to A 70 and is used
to make common products such as kitchen utensils and kitchenware. It can be used
for compression molding and extrusion of a wide range of products including tubing
and vehicle parts.

Low Hardness Silicone Rubber

Low hardness silicone rubber is the softest of the classifications with a Shore
hardness between A 5 and A 20. It is used to produce baby bottle nipples, food
storage film, anti-slip mats, and shoe insoles. The wide use of low hardness silicone
rubber is due to its stretchiness, which makes it possible for the material to be pulled
and reformed to several times its original size without tearing.

High Hardness Silicone Rubber

High hardness silicone rubber has a Shore hardness up to A 90 after being cured. It
has high elongation and tear strength and is used for molding, extrusion, and
calendaring to make products that are abrasion and fatigue resistant. Products
produced using high hardness silicone rubber can be transparent or translucent with
exceptionally high tensile strength.
High Strength Silicone Rubber
High strength silicone rubber is designed to be able to withstand extreme elongation
and tearing and is highly resistant to abrasion and fatigue. As with high hardness
silicone rubber, high strength silicone rubber is used for molding, extrusion, and
calendaring. It has a tear strength of 29 to 49 kN/m compared to a tear strength of
9.8 kN/m for general silicone rubber.

Transparent Silicone Rubber

The most common versions of silicone rubber are red, black, or gray, which are
available in a wide variety of forms and shapes. Clear sheets of transparent or clear
silicone rubber are also used for liquid injection molding. Transparent silicone rubber
has Shore hardness of A 10 to A 70 with Shore A 40 on the durometer being the
most common type. The transparency of clear silicone rubber makes it possible to
use it as an invisible gasket that does not interfere in the aesthetic appearance of a
cosmetic product. A common use for transparent silicone rubber is as air flow
diaphragms on ventilators and respirators.

Flame Retardant Silicone Rubber

Flame retardant silicone rubber is designed with high thermal conductivity and heat
resistance. It is used in applications that involve fire or direct heat contact and is self-
extinguishing. The production of flame-retardant silicone rubber requires the
blending of a special set of compounds in specific quantities and special curing. The
property of flame resistance is common to all forms of silicone rubbers, which is
enhanced in flame resistant silicone rubber by the addition of blockers.

Thermal Conductive Silicone Rubber

Thermal conductive silicone rubber moves heat away from sensitive areas and is
used with CPUs and electronic enclosures. The rapid development of smaller
electronic components has necessitated the implementation of methods to remove
the excess heat they generate without damaging their electrical functions. Since
silicone rubber can be produced in a wide variety of thicknesses and forms, it is the
ideal material for dissipating heat in small electronic devices.

Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber

Electrically conductive silicone rubber has all of the normal properties of silicone
rubber but is compounded with carbon and other materials that are electrically
conductive. It is used to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and
radio frequency interference (RFI) noise that is found in various electronics.
Electrically conductive silicone rubber is referred to as metallized silicone, which
refers to the various metals that are placed in the rubber such as Monel or aluminum
wire.
 Heat Resistant Silicone Rubber
One of the properties of silicone rubber that makes it applicable to a wide range of
processes is its thermal conductivity, which makes it possible to transfer heat at a
very low rate, a factor that makes it heat resistant. There is no change in its
properties at 150°C (302°F). The heat resistance of silicone rubber is due to the
stability of its chemical structure, which is based on its siloxane bonds that are tightly
bound and exceptionally stable.

Oil Resistant Silicone Rubber

The polymer structure of oil resistant silicone rubber is unaffected by oils and
maintains its structure after being exposed to oils. The high temperature resistance
of silicone rubber combined with its oil resistance makes it ideal for use in
applications that involve and require the use of oil.

Fluorosilicone Rubber
Fluorosilicone rubber has the same structure as silicone rubber with fluorine added
to its polymer chain. It combines the best properties of fluorocarbons and silicones
and is solvent and oil resistant, able to withstand extremely low temperatures with
high temperature stability, and will not deform when placed under pressure. As with
other forms of silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber can be molded, extruded, and
calendered and is widely used in aerospace and automotive applications. The main
characteristic of fluorosilicone rubber, compared to regular silicone rubber, is its
exceptional resistance to the effects of fuels, oils, and chemicals, which makes it
more expensive.

Silicone Rubber Organic Groups

Organic groups of silicone rubber are classified by specific materials, which include
methyl, vinyl, phenyl, and fluorine. ASTM D1418 standards cover the terminology
used to describe the different classifications.

 Methyl Group – The methyl group is a dimethyl silicone elastomer group and was
the first group of silicone elastomers to be developed.
 Methyl and Phenyl Groups – Methyl and phenyl groups are referred to as
methyl-phenyl silicone elastomers and were developed for low temperature
applications.
 Methyl and Vinyl Groups – Methyl and vinyl groups are helped in the
vulcanization process by the vinyl content.
 Methyl, Phenyl, and Vinyl Groups – Methyl, phenyl, and vinyl groups are
another group that is good for low temperature applications.
 Fluorine, Vinyl, and Methyl Groups – Fluorine, vinyl, and methyl groups are
fluorosilicone rubber known for its resistance to the effects of oil, fuels, and solvents.
Chapter Three: How Silicone Rubber is Made
Silicone, known as polysiloxane, is a polymer that has a rubber-like consistency with
molecules having chains of oxygen and silicon atoms. It is different from other forms
of polymers in that it does not have carbon as its backbone. The primary ingredient
of silicone is silica, which is found in sand. Silicone differs from silicon in that it is
flexible, softer, and resistant to the effects of extreme heat.

Isolating Silicon from Silica

The manufacture of silicone begins by isolating silicon from silica or silicates, which
is achieved by heating quartz sand to 1800°C (3272°F). The silica sand comes from
crushing, grinding, and washing sandstone or quartzite to achieve the appropriate
fine grain distribution. The pure silicon is reacted with methyl chloride to form
dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS) that is hydrolyzed and vigorously stirred to form
polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chains.

Compounding
The PDMS is cross-linked using heat or radiation to create bonds between the
PDMS chains, the result of which is a three-dimensional network structure. The
various types of silicone are produced by adding phenyl, methyl, fluorine, or vinyl
groups to the PDMS chains during its synthesis. Each of the different groups gives
the silicone rubber different properties and characteristics. The completed compound
can be molded or extruded to create different shapes.
 Final Form
The final step in the production of silicone rubber involves determining the final form
to be used for the production of various types of rubber products. This is achieved by
adding fillers and additives to enhance specific properties and add color. The steps
in its manipulation are designed to produce the properties for the industry where it
will be used.

Silicone rubber additives:

 Crosslinking – The crosslinking process for silicone rubber includes the use of
various peroxides or platinum catalysts to create mechanical stability.
 Fillers – Fillers are used to enhance tear resistance or increase conductivity and
include pyrogenic silica and carbon black.
 Stabilizers – The different forms of stabilizers are added to improve silicone
rubber’s heat resistance.
 Flame Retardants – Flame retardants include carbon black, aluminum
trihydrate, zinc, platinum, and various ceric compounds.
 Pigments – One of the notable features of silicone rubber is its color, which is
normally black, red, or gray. The high transparency of silicone rubber makes it easy
to color it to meet design specifications.
Vulcanization
Silicone rubber is shaped, formed, and configured using various methods depending
on the type of product or part that is being manufactured. Once shaped, the rubber
product undergoes vulcanization, which involves a curing agent that heats the
product to cross link the polymer chains. High temperature vulcanization (HTV) is
completed at 150°C up to 200°C (302°F up to 392°F) while room temperature
vulcanization (RTV) is completed at room temperature

HTV vulcanization is completed in a heat press for several minutes and is used to
produce high strength silicone rubbers for industrial use. RTV curing happens rather
slowly using a platinum catalyst, about 24 hours, and is used to produce soft, pliable
silicone rubber products that are very soft or medium soft.
 Chapter Four: Silicone Rubber Molds
A special use for silicone rubber is the formation of silicone molds used for mold
making using various materials including resins, gypsum, wax, and other materials.
Silicone molds make it easy to create custom products and designs using silicone
molds that are durable, long lasting, and have exceptional repeatability. The
inorganic nature of silicone rubber enables it to resist the effects of temperature
changes, exposure to chemicals, and natural contaminants such as bacteria and
fungus.

A common use for silicone molding is the creation of prototypes in order to examine
a product design. Since the creation of metal molds is time consuming, labor
intensive, and costly, silicone molds provide a cost effective alternative. Aside from
their use in prototyping, they assist in the creation of beta units for market testing
and consumer input. Although 3D printing is ideal for quickly creating one off
samples, silicone molds are capable of short production runs for testing.

How Silicone Molds are Made

One of the reasons that manufacturers choose silicone molding is that it is possible
to quickly and easily create a mold of a component without the need for machining or
special tools. The initial decision is whether the mold will be one piece or two pieces.
The selection is determined by the design of the master with two part molds taking
longer to create.

One Part Silicone Mold

The one part open face mold is the simplest form of silicone rubber mold. It is ideal
for flat back masters without undercuts and is good for molding rigid materials like
ceramics and silicone rubber.

 Step One - The master, which is the part design, can be created using 3D printing
and made of a plastic resin. Its surface should be free of detail marks and washed to
remove any tackiness.
 Step Two - The master must have a flat back with a small draft angle, which is a
slight taper along the edge of the master. Limited tapering makes it possible to easily
separate the master from the mold. The mold housing should be made of non-
porous material with a flat bottom.
 Step Three - Mold release is applied to the mold housing and master. Once
applied, it takes ten minutes for it to dry.
 Step Four - The silicone rubber solution should be carefully mixed and be vibrated
to remove any air bubbles. The mixture is then poured into the mold housing starting
with the lowest part of the housing and gradually moving upward.
 Step Five - The curing process takes one hour to one week depending on the type
of silicone rubber. Once the mold is completely cured, silicone is removed from the
containment box, and the master is removed from the silicone mold. The completed
mold can be used multiple times by spraying the silicone mold with the release
solution.
 Two Part Silicone Mold
The beginning steps for the creation of a two part silicone mold are the same as
those for a one part silicone mold, which is the creation and selection of the master.

 Step One - In the first step, the master is embedded in clay, which should be
sulfur free and oil based. This part of the process defines the parting line. The
master is positioned in a mold box where a pour hole and air hole are added.
 Step Two - For proper alignment of the two halves of the mold, keys that have a
tongue and groove appearance are evenly placed in the clay around the mold. Mold
keys are holes in the clay that will be filled with silicone rubber and serve as
guidance during the casting process.
 Step Three - A specific amount of silicone rubber is mixed to completely cover the
first half of the mold. This aspect of the process is carefully calculated for
determining the amount for the second half of the mold. The mixture is poured over
half of the master and is allowed to cure.
 Step Four - The sides of the mold box are removed to expose the clay, master,
and cured silicone. The master is left in the silicone, and the clay is removed along
with the silicone in the mold keys.
 Step Five - The mold box is constructed around the master and silicone. A release
agent is applied to the master, mold keys, and silicone prior to pouring the silicone
rubber. As with the original pouring, the silicone rubber is carefully and precisely
measured such that it easily flows over the master, mold keys, and silicone.
 Step Six - The finished two part silicone rubber mold is removed from the mold
box and separated to remove the master. The halves of the mold form the cavity for
shaping a part, component, or piece of art.
The use of silicone rubber is an ideal solution for mold making due to the resilience
and strength of silicone rubber. Rubber molds made of silicone can be used multiple
times to produce parts, components, and decorative items. The rubber mold making
process is quick, easy, and can be completed quickly to fit customer requirements,
which is essential in modern industry.

With two part silicone rubber molds, the tight seal between the halves limits the
creation of a parting line in the casting process. One part silicone molds, due to their
structure, do not have the potential for any form of parting line. In both cases, the
created molds have all the properties required for the creation of high quality
castings.

Chapter Five: How Silicone Rubber Parts are

Made
Silicone rubber is an essential part of a wide range of products and is manufactured
using a variety of methods, each of which is capable of producing parts that meet the
expectations and requirements of an application. The choice of fabrication method
varies between molding processes, extrusion, and calendaring with each method
able to produce parts with the correct hardness, heat resistance, and electrical
conductivity.

Extrusion
The extrusion of silicone rubber parts includes heating and compressing the raw
silicone material through a die that has the cross-sectional shape of the final product.
The raw silicone rubber is loaded into a hopper that is connected to the barrel of the
extruder. The barrel contains one or more screws that move the raw material along
the barrel to the die. During the movement toward the die, the raw material is heated,
melts, and is compressed. As the material is forced through the die, it takes the
desired shape after which it is cooled, cured, and cut to the desired lengths.
Extrusion takes many forms including film and sheet extrusion, each of which is used
to achieve different benefits. The extrusion process is low cost, allows for high
volume production runs, and is ideal for producing tubing, gaskets, seals, and wire
insulation.

Calendaring
Calendaring is used to produce thin sheets of silicone rubber through the use of
rollers or bowls with each roller rotating in the opposite direction of its opposing roll
at an even and controlled speed. One roll in each pair has a nip adjustment to
control the thickness of the silicone rubber material. A silicone rubber calendar can
contain two or more rolls. The silicone rubber material is heated and fed into the rolls
in strip or pig form on one side of the nip and is squeezed to form sheets of silicone
rubber.
Injection Molding
Injection molding is the most common process for forming silicone rubber parts that
vary in size, complexity, and final application. The process involves the use of a
screw type plunger that is similar to that of an extruder. As with an extruder, the raw
silicone material is loaded into a hopper connected to the barrel and screw. The
material is heated as it moves along the barrel toward a tightly sealed die that has
the shape of the final part. The pressure created by the movement of the screw
forces the raw material into every portion of the die.
The shot, the amount of material injected into the die, increases in density as the
pressure of the injection machine rises and fills the die cavity. The key to the
increasing pressure is the slow movement of the screw that helps to sustain and
maintain continuous, even pressure. The silicone rubber cools during injection, which
accelerates the solidification process and makes up 80% of the molding cycle.
Liquid Injection Molding
Liquid injection molding involves the use of liquid silicone rubber that is injected into
the mold cavity by a nozzle. The difference between injection molding and liquid
injection molding is the mechanical mixing of the silicone rubber material prior to it
being injected into the mold, which is completed by two plungers. One of the
plungers contains the base material reinforced with additives and fibers. The second
plunger has the catalyst compound that activates the mixing.

The advantages of liquid injection molding include shorter curing time, the ability to
produce intricate and complex designs with extremely close tolerances, high volume
production, automated process design, and the use of thermal imaging to prevent
molding errors.
Compression Molding
Compression molding includes the use of heated molds that contain the precise
amount of silicone rubber, referred to as the charge, to form the final product. A
heated plunger that has the upper half of the mold attached to it applies 15,000 psi to
20,000 psi of pressure to drive the silicone material to every corner of the upper and
lower halves of the mold cavity. The pressure is maintained until the silicone rubber
component completely cures.

The major benefit of compression molding is its cost, which makes it ideal for
producing low volume production runs. The process is capable of producing small,
minute parts up to large and complex ones with a short set up time.

Transfer Molding
 Transfer molding involves the use of a mold, plunger injection machine, and silicone
rubber material. The process begins by placing the raw silicone rubber material or
charge into the transfer pot that is below the plunger and above the mold. Under
intense hydraulic pressure, the plunger forces the silicone rubber through a small
hole or sprue at the top of the mold into the mold cavity where it is tightly held and
allowed to cure.

The process of transfer molding is very precise and produces components with less
flash and waste. Transfer molding is able to produce parts with small tolerances and
complex shapes with tighter control of dimensional tolerances. Although it has
similarities to compression molding in that it uses compression to mold parts, the
mold cavity is not divided into halves, and the raw silicone rubber material charge is
located in the pot and not the lower half of the mold.

Leading Silicone Rubber Molders and Molding

 RD Rubber Technology Corporation
 Britech Industries
 Pierce-Roberts Rubber Co.
 Accurate Products, Inc.
 REDCO Rubber Engineering & Development Company
 Mason Rubber Co., Inc.
 Kent Rubber Supply Co.
 Minnesota Rubber & Plastics
 Device Technologies, Inc.
 Dynatect Ro-Lab, Inc.
 Jet Rubber Company
Chapter Six: Parts Components Made of Silicone
Rubber
The versatility and workability of silicone rubber makes it one of the most widely
used industrial and commercial materials. Along with its many positive properties,
silicone rubber is a long-lasting, durable material that seldom needs to be replaced.
It is used for kitchen utensils and toys as well as gaskets, seals, and automotive
parts.

Electrical Insulation
Silicone rubber is quite commonly used as a wire and cable insulator, connector
seal, and switch boot. Its high temperature resistance and ability to withstand
extreme weather conditions makes it an ideal insulation material. Silicone rubber
insulation remains flexible, waterproof, and resistant to arcing and cracking even
after several years of use. The strength and durability of silicone rubber insulation is
capable of protecting the most sensitive components.

Automotive Parts
Hoses, gaskets, seals, and other vehicle components are essential for the safe and
continued performance of a vehicle. They have to be able to endure the harsh
treatment they have to withstand during the operation of a vehicle’s engine. It is for
these reasons that silicone rubber is the material that is used to produce the most
critical components of an engine. It has the strength, toughness, and impact
resistance required and is long lasting.
Aerospace
Parts and components for use in aerospace applications have to be exceptionally
durable and capable of withstanding constant abuse. Critical factors in aerospace
manufacturing are the ability to endure radical changes in temperature, radiation,
and routine exposure to various chemicals. The high performance of silicone rubber
makes it perfectly suited for the needs of aerospace conditions.

Medical Equipment
The food and drug administration has established stringent guidelines in regard to
the types of materials that can be used to produce medical equipment due to the
sensitive nature of patient care. Included in the regulations for materials are being
chemically inert, biocompatible, and being able to be sterilized. Unlike materials for
airplanes and vehicles, medical devices have to perform in sanitary conditions and
be in constant use, such as catheters and tubing.

Silicone rubber is an ideal material for medical applications due to its flexibility,
transparency, and lubricity. Aside from being used for tubing and protection of
wounds, it is used for orthopedic padding and other devices that come in contact
with the body. Silicone rubber parts are implanted in the body as body part
replacements due to their durability and biocompatibility.

Cookware
Silicone rubber is used in the production of food and cookware due to it being non-
toxic and food safe. As a cooking material, it satisfies the standards required by the
food and drug administration (FDA) and can be made in aesthetically pleasing
colors. Silicone rubber is widely used in bakeware since it does not leach and
damage the taste or odor of the food being prepared.

Utensils made of silicone rubber are non-sticking and easy to clean. When used in
the preparation of food, they require less oil, which makes the food healthier and
more nutritious. The many shapes of silicone cookware, whether it is baking pans or
mixing bowls, are dishwasher safe or can be washed by hand without being
scratched or damaged.

Chapter Seven: The Advantages of Silicone

Rubber
The unique molecular structure of silicone means that it can be used as a liquid,
solid, semi-viscous paste, oil, grease, and rubber. The versatility of silicone rubber
makes it possible to use it in several environments including as a pleasing visual and
aesthetically pleasing addition.
Resistant to Changes in Temperature
Silicone rubber offers exceptional high temperature resistance, which is one of the
reasons that it is so widely used in industrial equipment as gaskets, seals, and plugs.
It is capable of withstanding high and low temperature changes without any changes
to its properties. For long periods, silicone rubber maintains its structure at 200deg;C
(392deg;F) and can withstand temperatures over 350deg;C (662deg;F) for short
periods of time.

Along with its resistance to high temperatures, silicone rubber can endure cold
temperatures without becoming brittle or cracking. It retains its elasticity at -70deg;C
(-94deg;F), which are temperatures that cause organic rubbers to become brittle.
Silicone rubber retains its properties and structure over a wide range of temperatures
in any conditions.

Hygienic
Silicone rubber is non-toxic and easy to sterilize. It is non-porous, which makes it
impossible for bacteria or viruses to build up and grow. This aspect of silicone rubber
makes it ideal for the manufacture of medical equipment, food processing devices,
and cookware. When silicone items are cleaned, solvents easily remove any surface
contamination. Additionally, the sanitary property of silicone rubber makes it the ideal
material for use in cleanrooms and environments that require a high standard of
cleanliness.
Chemical Resistance
Silicone rubber does not experience any change in its properties when exposed to
oils, solvents, and assorted other chemicals. When it is submerged in water, it
retains its mechanical strength and electrical properties. It is used in motors due to
its ability to resist the effects of oil at high temperatures and is unaffected by polar
organic compounds and dilute acids.

Fire Resistance
UL 94 HB is a test for the horizontal burning rate of a substance or material that has
been released by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). It is used to classify materials as
to how they burn in different orientations and thicknesses. The six classifications of
materials range from 5VA to HB with HB being the slowest burning rate. Silicone
rubber has a UL 94 HB rating. When it burns, it produces limited black smoke and no
noxious gases.

Chemically and Physiologically Inert

Any material that is chemically or physiologically inert does not react when exposed
to other materials and refers to the arrangement of electrons on a materials
outermost shell. This unique property of a group of materials is referred to as group 0
because of their zero reactivity. Silicone rubber falls into this group because of its
nonreactivity when exposed to other materials. It is for this reason that it is used with
living tissue and is biocompatible.
Versatility
The most important advantage of silicone rubber is its versatility. By adjusting the
elements used in its manufacture or changing the curing agent, silicone rubber can
have a lower compression set, be more resistant to flames, water, steam, and
temperature changes. It is manufactured translucent and colored and is a
dependable, reliable, and durable material that lasts for decades without losing its
properties.

Chapter Eight: Top Silicone Rubber Molding

Machines
As with many forms of industrial equipment, the top suppliers of silicone molding
machines are located in Asia. The various manufacturers produce a wide range of
silicone manufacturing equipment that include injection and compression molding
designs.

JD-RL Series by Jing-Day

The JD-RL Series is an injection molding machine capable of molding all forms of
rubber, synthetic or organic, using a low bed structure. A PLC comes standard with
microcomputers being optional. JD-RL machines have direct and indirect clamping
with a special nozzle design that prevents overflow. Although many features of the
JD-RL Series come standard, it can be adjusted and configured to fit specialized and
unique requirements.

KTVK 85-300T from Kraton Machinery

The KTVK 85-300T is designed for flexible and adaptive production. It is specially
engineered for silicone injection molding and used for large, high-volume production.
The KTVK 85-300T is described as a compression injection molding machine. It
offers all the features necessary for a company to manufacture HTV silicone using
compression and includes a LSR dosing system. HTV molds can be used with LSR
for increased efficiency.

YL3-V440L Injection Molding Machine from Yzumi

The YL3-V440L is a fully automated molding machine that has new core technology
for more precision and reliability. It has a smart operating system with less
maintenance and easy use. The YL3-V440L provides comprehensive data support
for modern technologically based manufacturing. It has a L3R injection system with a
D1 clamping structure and ID card reader that can be set for different levels of
permission.

L90 – 160T Vertical Injection Molding Machine by Sansa

The L90 – 160T is capable of molding liquid silicone rubber and silicone rubber. It
has an energy saving capacity of 58 tons up to 3800 tons and clamping force of
1600 kN. A unique feature of the L90 – 160T is its ability to mold LSR materials of
 differing hardness with the same efficiency and quality. The range of products
produced by the L90 – 160T includes toothbrushes, oxygen masks, catheters,
mobile phone cases, and valves and seals.

Allrounder Hidrive from Arburg

The Allrounder Hidrive hybrid injection molding machines from Arburg are technically
advanced to provide exceptional performance. Their servo-electric clamping unit and
hydraulic injection unit use hydraulic accumulator technology that automatically
adjusts the pressure level to meet the requirements of a product. The self-adjusting
hydraulic accumulator is designed to save on energy as well as ensure product
quality. Along with its high efficiency, the Allrounder Hidrive injection system has
been engineered for maximum energy savings to make it a cost saving production
solution.

Conclusion
 Silicone rubber molding is a method for shaping, forming, and fabricating silicone
rubber parts and products using a heated metal mold.
 The various forms of silicone rubber vary in their hardness and pliability, which
makes the material an ideal choice for applications that require a durable and flexible
material that is resistant to high temperatures and wear.
 Silicone, known as polysiloxane, is a polymer that has a rubber-like consistency with
molecules having chains of oxygen and silicon atoms. It is different from other forms
of polymers in that it does not have carbon as its backbone.
 Silicone rubber is an essential part of a wide range of products and is manufactured
using a variety of methods, each of which is capable of producing parts that meet the
expectations and requirements of an application. The choice of fabrication method
varies between molding processes, extrusion, and calendaring with each method
able to produce parts with the correct hardness, heat resistance, and electrical
conductive.
 Along with its many positive properties, silicone rubber is a long-lasting, durable
material that seldom needs to be replaced. It is used for kitchen utensils and toys as
well as gaskets, seals, and automotive parts.