Silicone Parts Manufacturer

Manufacturer of extruded and molded silicone products such as seals, gaskets & profiles. Silicones are available in durometers up to 70 Shore A. Services include molding, injection, compression, transfer & flashless casting. Serves automotive, building, construction, electronics, communication & marine industries.

Silicone is used in many medical devices due to its flexible properties, resistance to heat and chemicals, and biocompatibility. Medical-grade silicone is also available in 3D printing for a wider range of design flexibility.

Liquid Silicone Rubber

Liquid silicone rubber is a versatile, pumpable class of silicone elastomer that is used in many different applications. It can withstand extreme temperatures, resist oil and water and be molded into complex shapes and geometries. Additives and fillers can be mixed into the base to change physical properties or create a variety of color options.

Unlike thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which softens when heated and hardens on cooling, liquid silicone rubber remains stable after heat exposure. This makes it useful in high-voltage line insulators, medical and automotive products, electronics and consumer and home repair and hardware.

Stockwell Elastomerics utilizes the liquid injection molding (LIM) manufacturing process to mold liquid silicone rubber into a wide range of parts and products. The LIM process offers advantages including a low injection pressure, producing nearly flash-less parts and an automated closed-loop system to limit contamination. It also reduces the cost of tooling compared to other injection processes. This allows for a larger production run and helps with product pricing. It also produces faster cycle times than compression or transfer molding.

High Consistency Rubber

High consistency rubber is a heat-cured silicone elastomer that can be processed by conventional techniques like extrusion and molding. It can be used for high-performance products, such as tubes and seals, because silicone pet food bowl it withstands extreme temperatures and has excellent aging resistance. It is also ideal for high precision molded parts.

One of the best ways to manufacture HCR silicone elastomers is through transfer molding. This process uses a closed mold system, which allows for overmolding with other materials and creates complex geometry. It is the perfect solution for large production runs and mass manufacturing.

The initial step in processing HCR silicone elastomers for either extrusion or molding is mill softening and catalyzation. This process reverses any “crepe hardening” that has occurred during storage in inventory or prior fabrication. It also prepares the elastomer for addition curing using peroxide catalyst or an organic peroxide crosslinker. This preparation is important because it affects the mechanical properties of the cured material, such as moderate tear resistance and compression set. It also impacts biocompatibility, as discussed in this Stockwell Elastomerics article.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a synthetic product used in a variety of ways. It can be molded into rigid plastics or rubber-like elastomers with different mechanical properties, and it is available in a range of viscosities. It can also be used to make topical applications such as varnishes, paints, and sealants.

It can be produced by mixing two liquid components — isocyanate and polyol — together via the reaction injection molding (RIM) process. Once the isocyanate and polyol have mixed, they are injected into a mold to cross-link and form elastomeric parts.

The resulting material can be stretched, smashed or scratched and still remain fairly indestructible. It is a good choice for applications where strength and durability are important, such as seats in airport terminals or packaging crates on trucks.

A variety of additives can be added to the isocyanate/polyol mixture to create different types of polyurethane foams. For example, the addition of fire retardants makes the resulting foam less flammable. It is also possible to create a polyurethane foam by using a mechanical blowing technique that involves physically introducing air bubbles into the liquid mixture.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene (PS) is a synthetic thermoplastic extracted from the monomer styrene. It is produced in both solid plastic and foam material forms. It is used in a wide range of products, including disposable plastic cutlery and dinnerware, CD “jewel” cases, license plate frames, and plastic model assembly kits. It is also a key ingredient for co-polymerized plastics.

PS plastic is very durable and cheap to manufacture. It is highly resistant to many chemicals, but less so to aromatic, aliphatic and chlorinated organic solvents and cyclic ethers. It is a poor barrier to oxygen and water vapor, but it is a good thermal insulator and has a low melting point.

Medical plastic products and components made of general purpose or crystal PS are often used for laboratory equipment like Petri dishes and test tubes, while high impact polystyrene is more commonly used in thermoformed medical applications like catheter trays and heart pump trays. Both can be injection molded.

Neoprene

Neoprene, also known as polychloroprene, is a synthetic material that was developed in 1930 to compensate for some of natural rubber’s shortcomings. It resists water, temperature shifts, and abrasions. It can also handle exposure to oils, petroleum-based products, and refrigerants.

It can be molded using injection molding, extrusion, or hot compression. Neoprene can be produced in different thicknesses to meet specific design requirements. It Silicone Supplies is a durable, versatile, and cost-effective material for many applications.

It is used in a wide range of industrial manufacturing equipment and automotive manufacturing equipment, including conveyor belts, vibration control products (like mounting pads), and shock absorber seals. It is also frequently found in medical and safety applications, such as wrist and knee supports. Additionally, neoprene is fireproof and meets the UL 94 standard, which tests for plastic-based materials that will extinguish or spread a flame upon ignition. This is important because some flammable chemicals can interact with neoprene, creating an unsafe work environment. Neoprene is also a popular choice for marine applications, as it is resistant to saltwater corrosion and can withstand high pressures and temperatures.