Silicone Supplies and Adhesives

Silicone Supplies and Adhesives

Silicone is a unique plastic-like material that contains bonded silicon and oxygen. It is heat resistant and durable, making it great for kitchen utensils or gaskets.

It is also used in automotive spark plug wires and is biologically inert, allowing it to be used for medical applications like scar treatment sheets. Silicones can be cured with UV light or by a platinum catalyst system.

Mold Making

Mold making requires tough-yet-flexible silicone rubbers to reproduce intricate details and deliver Silicone Supplies high-quality replicas, time and again. SILASTIC(tm) moldmaking silicone rubbers are easy-to-use, two-part RTV-curing materials that hold severe undercuts, resist tearing and support masters made from stone, glass, wood, metal, wax, ceramic and plaster, and cast a wide range of materials, including low-temperature metal alloys.

The first step is to create the pattern or master that will be molded. This can be done through sculpting, carving or 3D printing. Independent artists and DIYers frequently use sculpting clay to make patterns for lifecasting, such as hands.

You’ll also find silicone mold putty, such as Knead-a-Mold and Equinox Silicone Putty. This is a two-part putty that you massage together to form a flexible mold. It can be used for a variety of applications, such as casting concrete, precious metal clay, soap, UTEE and even wax candles.

Sealants

Silicone pressure adhesives (PSAs) are formulated to meet the specific needs of different applications and substrates. Their tackiness and adhesion vary, as does their viscosity and curing behavior. This means they can be created to adhere to anything from glass and ceramics to rubber, plastic, metal, and many other materials.

They can also withstand a wide range of temperatures from -150 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit without becoming brittle or melting. They also have good flexibility and tensile strength, with a maximum elongation of 700%. They can flex and rebound well, making them useful for seals that need to regain their original shape. They are also an effective electrical insulator, though carbon or other conductive materials can be added to make them more conductive.

Medical-grade silicone rubber is biocompatible and hypoallergenic. It’s a great choice for tubing, catheters, wound care products, orthopedic pads, and other healthcare applications that will come into contact with or enter the body. It’s also resistant to bacteria, ozone, UV radiation, and other environmental factors.

Adhesives

Adhesives (or glue) are substances applied to one or more surfaces of separate items that bind them together and resist their separation. There are many different types of adhesives, each with its own properties and uses.

The strength of an adhesive bond is determined by the type and quality of the materials being joined, how the bond will be used, and the environment in which it will be placed. An adhesive’s performance in each of these areas is determined by its chemical structure, how it interacts with the surfaces to which it is being applied, and its ability to withstand temperature changes, moisture, ozone and vibrations.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives (often called superglues) have a fast curing time – from only seconds up to a few minutes. They have excellent adhesion to a wide variety of Silicone Supplies substrates and are used in mobility, electronics, woodworking, medical (certifications required) and craft applications.

Lubricants

Silicone has a high flexibility and softness, which makes it ideal for applications where there needs to be a certain amount of give. It is also easy to mold and customize, making it perfect for custom molded shapes and specific applications with unique requirements.

Food-grade silicone is nontoxic and can be used around food, utensils, tools, tubing for conveyance belts or machinery, and seals for ovens and refrigerators. This is possible because of the compound’s FDA rating, which is achieved by ensuring that the formula doesn’t contain any plasticizers that can leak chemicals like BPA into food.

Solid silicone lubricants can be used as coatings or adhesives to help with insulation and energy efficiency. It is a great choice for electronics because it can protect circuit components from heat and shock, while helping to maintain extreme functionality. It can also be used to create pressure sensitive silicone adhesives for bonding low-energy substrates.

Food Grade

Food grade silicone supplies are a great alternative to other materials that are often toxic to children. They are non-toxic, odorless, and highly transparent. They are also soft and elastic and resist kinking. These properties make them ideal for making molds for candy, cake, and other foods. Food-grade silicone can also be used for grips on cooking utensils and kitchen tools.

For a silicone rubber to be considered food safe, it must undergo a special curing process that’s platinum-catalyzed and thoroughly post-cured to decrease levels of extractables. It must also comply with FDA guidelines for safe-for-consumption elastomers.

TYM offers both dry and wet spray food-grade silicone products to help manufacturers lubricate their equipment. These lubricants can be used on metal, plastic, and rubber surfaces to reduce friction, prevent corrosion, and keep the equipment running smoothly. They can also be applied to O-rings and other sealing applications.

Medical Grade

As the world’s population ages, there is a growing demand for orthopedic implants and prosthetic limbs that promote mobility and enhance quality of life. Medical-grade silicone is a popular choice because of its soft texture, flexibility and durability. It also offers a comfortable fit and can minimize skin irritation. In addition, it does not contain any endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates.

Medical-grade silicone is also non-porous, so it cannot harbor bacteria and other microorganisms. This feature helps prevent infection, which is a serious concern for people who have undergone surgery or have a compromised immune system.

Other benefits of medical-grade silicone include its ability to withstand dynamic movement, its chemical resistance and high tensile strength. It can also be compounded with active pharmaceutical ingredients, making it an ideal material for drug-eluting implantable devices that slowly release cancer drugs or hormones over time. In addition, it has a wide temperature range and is compatible with a variety of sterilization methods.