Silicone rubber is one of the most popular materials. Here are the most important things to know about it.
There are a number of reasons why silicone rubber is such a popular material for use in a variety of projects. This extremely versatile product works across industries, from the transportation sector to medical and healthcare organisations.
Silicone is derived from the raw chemical element of silicon. The process of making silicone rubber is complex, but the result is a synthetic polymer, combining silicon, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. It creates a versatile and flexible material for use in a number of situations.
Here at Viking Extrusions, we have been creating silicone rubber extrusions for over 30 years. Extrusions have been at the heart of our business since the company’s inception and we have manufactured and developed a range of products to fit your needs.
We have produced over 8,000 silicone rubber profiles for our customers, extruding to ISO 3302-1: 2024 E3 tolerances, although we do offer tighter tolerances depending on your requirements. Contact us now to find out more!
With over 20 years of experience manufacturing silicone inflatable seals, you know you are in safe hands with Viking Extrusions. We have pioneered innovative new tooling and manufacturing techniques to deliver you the best product. If you are looking for airtight and watertight seals, inflatable seals are what you need.
Silicone tube products can be used for a variety of purposes, making them an extremely popular product. Available in sizes from 0.5 mm inside diameter to 100mm outside diameter, we can work with you to create the ideal silicone rubber tubing for your organisation.
A silicone rubber gasket creates a tight seal, repelling water and ensuring that various materials don’t leak. This is especially important within the transportation industry, and at Viking Extrusions, we can manufacture tight and precise tolerances for superior sealing. We manufacture silicone rubber gaskets through die cutting, CNC cutting, and lathe cutting.
One of the reasons that silicone rubber is such a popular material is its versatility. This makes it perfect for use in different environments, no matter the industry. At Viking Extrusions, we have experience working with a range of industries and organisations, including Boeing, Aston Martin, and London Underground to name a few.
Is your industry not listed here? We work with organisations in a variety of sectors so learn about the industries we work with or contact the team today.
High-quality products are our top priority here at Viking Extrusions. We have been ISO 9001 certified for over 25 years and have recently been ISO 14001 certified. Our team are dedicated to delivering all products to the exacting specifications, depending on your individual requirements, and we are working towards ISO 45001. You’re in safe hands with Viking Extrusions.
There are many important factors to consider when it comes to silicone extrusions. This versatile, durable, and hygienic material is popular in many industries. Want to know how your organisation might use it? Contact the team today to discuss your needs.
Transportation industries use silicone in different ways. Here’s how Viking Extrusions can help.
Silicone extrusions are extremely versatile, benefitting numerous industries within the transportation sector, including the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries, to name a few. As a specialist supplier and manufacturer of silicone rubber extrusions, we work with clients across multiple industries and sectors, one of the main being within transportation, which is why we have put together this article outlining the industrial uses of silicone, particularly in the transportation sector.
Want to know whether silicone extrusions are right for your organisation? Contact our team to discuss your needs.
There are many reasons why silicone extrusions are a popular choice for various organisations, especially those within the transportation sector. It is one of the most popular materials and is ideal for different settings, with some of the biggest benefits of silicone extrusions including:
To learn more about the benefits of silicone rubber, explore our recent blog, explaining the biggest advantages of rubber extrusions and how they are used across various industries.
The transportation sector refers to several different industries, some of which we have mentioned above. The way in which these industries use silicone extrusions will vary depending on the type of product and environments specific products are designed to work within.Â
However, as the leading supplier of silicone extrusions in the UK, our specialists will work with you to outline the ideal solution for your specific needs. Our vast experience and expert capabilities have allowed us to work with numerous industries within the transportation sector, which we have outlined below.
Passenger safety and operational efficiency are essential within the aerospace industry, which is why a high-performance material like silicone is vital. It can handle the rigorous demands of the aerospace and aviation industries, making it the material of choice throughout multiple facets of the manufacturing process.
The requirements of the aerospace industry mean that you need specialised grades of silicone that are suited to different challenges and environments. At Viking Extrusions, we can supply material grades that follow:
Our extensive manufacturing and custom-mould capabilities make us the leading provider of silicone extrusions on the market, with our team continuously implementing the latest techniques and innovations in the industry, including a wide selection of silicone grades.
Traditionally, silicone is used in the manufacturing of car door seals, which has since transitioned into multiple uses within the entire manufacturing process. The growth of the silicone industry means that it can now be used in various other areas, such as gaskets and seals, with its resistance to weathering, enabling it to withstand the environments cars go through.
We are ISO 9001:2015 approved and can offer PPAP documentation if required.
As a leading supplier of EN45545-2 certified silicone rubber extrusions, mouldings and gaskets, we work closely with the rail and mass transit industry to supply specialist grades of silicone products.
Our silicone rubber meets the global standards for rail and mass transit use, and we can supply silicone rubber in sponge/foam formats as well as solid to meet your engineer’s needs. We can supply materials to meet the following specifications:
As mentioned, the advantageous properties silicone obtains makes it perfect for numerous industries, particularly in marine manufacturing, as it is resistant to many environmental factors, including rain, wind, salt, Ozone, and UV. It has become a vital component in marine applications and is relied upon to extend the service life of sea-faring vessels.
The versatility of silicone makes it perfect for use in transportation infrastructure due to its safe and durable properties, with many using it for travel-related buildings and any engineering projects related to transportation.
For more information on the industries that use silicone extrusions or to speak with our team, do not hesitate to contact us today or explore our specialist capabilities online now.
Silicone is likely to be used for multiple applications that you may not have even considered, with many uses listed above, spanning across numerous industries. We thought it would be useful to dive into some products typically seen within the above applications and why Viking Extrusions should be your go-to destination for industrial silicone extrusions.
Silicone is used to create the seals and gaskets utilised within the automotive industry due to the material’s ability to create a tight seal to prevent leakage. Additionally, as silicone is resistant to extreme temperatures and doesn’t react to most chemicals, it can be used to reduce vibrations in vehicles and is perfect for use in commercial and personal vehicles as well as in heavy machinery.
Electrical wires should be effectively insulated to protect wires from their surrounding environments, as well as protect the people handling the wires themselves. Our silicone rubber sheeting exhibits high electrical insulation properties and can be used to seal electrical enclosures.
Silicone sponge profiles can be used to protect and cushion components, acting as an acoustic dampener. They are excellent for rail and mass transit, aerospace, marine, and automotive applications.
The extreme versatility and resistance silicone provides means that it produces exceptional protection from extreme temperatures and withstands environmental stresses. This flexible material is extremely hygienic, ensuring the transportation sector can abide by the strict rules and regulations in place.
Now that we have outlined the industrial uses of silicone within the transportation sector, we are going to highlight the importance of working with a trusted and recognised industry professional that you can be confident in.
As you can imagine, the operations discussed within the above industries require a high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective solution. The materials used within all the outlined applications need to promote safety and high-quality, which is why working with a trusted silicone extrusion supplier like Viking Extrusions is paramount to ensuring success.
Here at Viking Extrusions, we have provided silicone rubber profiles, seals, and more for a variety of projects throughout the transportation sector, with a proven track record of delivering reliable, trustworthy, and industry-leading solutions and services. We have worked with the likes of Boeing, Airbus, Aston Martin, BMW, London Underground and Electrostar, showcasing the calibre of our products and the industrial capabilities we are experienced in working towards, with a tight-knit and knowledgeable team on hand to help you find the perfect solution to suit your needs.
Contact our helpful and friendly team today to learn about how we can transform your operation and discover how we have assisted multiple organisations within the transport sector.
Why has silicone rubber become such a key material across industries?
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular materials on the market and is used across numerous sectors and organisations due to its extremely versatile properties. As an expert in the silicone rubber extrusion industry, we have helped clients, projects, and businesses worldwide to create bespoke rubber solutions, providing large-scale solutions and utilising the highest-quality materials available.
In this article, we discuss the properties of silicone rubber, its benefits, and the environments it is best suited to, including some of the popular industries we work with.
The versatile properties of silicone rubber and its ability to adapt to different environments make it the go-to material for industrial, commercial, and domestic applications across the globe. There are countless advantages of silicone rubber, some of which include:
Read our article on the advantages and disadvantages of silicone rubber to explore in more detail the pros and cons of this resourceful material.
Now that we have outlined the beneficial properties of silicone rubber and its main advantages, we have gone into more detail about each aspect. If you want more information on silicone extrusions or our moulding capabilities, do not hesitate to contact our helpful and friendly team today.
One of the main advantages of silicone rubber is that it has a wide temperature range. It is highly resistant and can operate from as low as -60°C to as high as 300°C, benefiting various industries, especially as silicone rubber will maintain a number of its mechanical properties even at more extreme temperatures.
Conducting thermal energy is vital in manufacturing, construction, and civil engineering. Heating rollers and thermal interface sheets utilise specialist grades of silicone rubber, which have a higher thermal conductivity than most other types of rubbers on the market.
Food and medical industries have strict requirements for the materials they can use as they must meet health and safety recommendations and be safe for use. As silicone rubber is highly inert and doesn’t react with most chemicals, it is the best choice for industries focusing on food and dairy, medical, and pharmaceutical applications.
General-purpose silicone might be used for several different purposes, but silicone rubber has a huge advantage because it has better elongation and tear strength, preventing abrasions and being more resistant to fatigue.
Silicone polymers can be created as non-porous materials, meaning they will not absorb liquids, making them ideal for water immersion for extended periods. It also means that specially formulated grades can withstand steam up to 150°C, which is useful in many industries like marine and automotive.
Weather resistance is a key element in many industries, including environmental projects. Silicone is a weathering-resistant material, reducing ageing from ozone and UV, with organic rubbers being more susceptible to these factors, as the carbon composition can break down and leave the material vulnerable.
Specific industries, such as rail and mass transit and aerospace, require specialised grades of silicone to meet the high standards required for production. We have specifically formulated silicone to adhere to these exact requirements and can work with your business to create the ideal solution.
There is an extensive range of silicone rubber grades available, each providing different benefits, making them more suited for different applications and industries. The grade of silicone available here at Viking Extrusions includes:
The properties of silicone rubber are unique to each grade of material, which is why each is suited for different environments and industries, meaning no matter which application or solution you are looking for, Viking Extrusions will have the perfect product for your needs.
The skills, knowledge, and capabilities amassed by our expert team over the 30 years we have been manufacturing silicone rubber means that we have become the go-to destination for silicone extrusions for clients across the globe.
Additionally, the technical and industry knowledge our team holds allows us to provide our clients with opportunities that aren’t available anywhere else, including the ability to create complex and custom silicone extrusions and moulds, which we can then produce on a large-scale basis. Our experience and proven track record means you can have complete confidence in our services, working to strict and tight deadlines, with no request being too complex or complicated for our team.
We produce industry-leading products and extrusions at a revolutionary rate, utilising the latest technology and innovations to ensure maximum quality, efficiency, and reliability, including rapid delivery times across the UK and Europe.
FDA-grade Silicone rubber is one of the most popular materials for use in a range of industries, including the food, medical, and automotive industries, to name a few. At Viking Extrusions, we work across multiple sectors, producing high-quality and reliable products.
Hopefully, this article has given you a deeper insight into the properties of silicone rubber and the environments that it suits best. You can browse our extensive product range online or contact the Viking Extrusions team to learn more about our high-quality silicone solutions.
Discover the rich history of silicone rubber extrusions.
Silicone rubber has established itself as one of the most popular materials on the market. This versatile, durable material is ideally suited for a range of industries and applications from construction and electronics to aviation and healthcare.
Silicone is a synthetic polymer created from the chemical element silicon. There is a significant difference between silicon and silicone, as silicon in its raw form is brittle and unlike the silicone material we know. Man-made silicone combines silicon, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen to create a versatile substance.
It can be used in a variety of situations, including as a sealant, adhesive, lubricant, or extrusion. Viking Extrusions specialise in the manufacture of a wide range of silicone rubber products. As one of the largest manufacturers of silicone inflatable seals in the UK, we understand the history of silicone rubber and how it can help your business.
Silicone rubber has a long and rich history to explore. While it is a man-made product, silica-based stones have been a key feature since ancient times. Here at Viking Extrusions, we explore the silicone rubber timeline.
Stone Age – Silica-based stones are used to create tools and weapons
The earth’s crust is teeming with silicon and oxygen, with silica and silicates mostly being found within rocks. Silica-based stones would be used in the Stone Age to create tools and weapons. They were ideal for use as protection and to aid survival.
Roman Period – Silica sand is used to form glass
It was the Romans who then took the small particles of sand and transformed them into glass. By utilising silica in this way, they paved the way for scientists in the 19th Century to first discover the element of silicon and then begin the process of creating silicone rubber.
1824 РJ̦ns Jakob Berzelius successfully isolates silicon for the first time
The element of silicon was first discovered by Jöns Jacob Berzelius. A Swedish chemist, he first isolated silicon in 1824. While conducting an experiment, Berzelius reacted potassium metal with silicon tetrafluoride, before heating the resulting product in chlorine. The resulting brown powder was silicon. Berzelius is considered not only to be one of the founders of modern chemistry, but also the founder of silicon.
1855 – Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville obtained pure silicon in its crystallised form
Although Berzelius is often credited as the founder of silicon, it is thanks to Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville, a French chemist, that we have silicon in its more common crystalline form. Using the electrolysis smelting process, Deville obtained pure silicon in 1855, 31 years after the isolation of silicon by Berzelius.
1930 – Dr James Franklin Hyde begins research on the commercial production of silicones
While chemists would continue to research silicon throughout the 19th Century, it wasn’t until the mid-20th Century that chemists began to develop silicone rubber for commercial purposes. American chemist and inventor Dr James Franklin Hyde was one of the first to research how commercial silicones could be produced in 1930.
Hyde began his research in an attempt to create new plastics and challenge the glass industry. He was successful and created fused silica, which was used in advanced telecommunications, aeronautics, and computer chips.
1940 – Frederick Stanley Kipping develops silicon polymers and coins the term ‘silicones’
The term silicones was first used by Frederic Stanley Kipping in 1940. This British chemist was the brilliant mind behind the development of silicon polymers, or silicones as we have come to know them, at Nottingham. The research he conducted was the basis for synthetic rubber and silicone-based lubricant development around the world, as stated by Isaac Asimov in ‘Asimov’s Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology’.
One of the most fascinating facts about Kipping is that he apparently did not see a particular use for silicone rubber. He considered silicones to be sticky messes and felt that the material offered no practical use within commercial applications. Other chemists continued their research and advanced the silicone rubber industry, and while he did not see its potential, he was inducted into the University of Akron’s International Rubber Science Hall of Fame as a result of his pioneering work.
1950s – Worldwide companies begin to use silicone rubber in commercial products
Mass-production of silicone rubber as we know it today began in the mid-20th Century. The versatile material began to appear in many products but was first used in a toy. The toy itself, Silly Putty, was launched in the United States in 1950 and contained viscoelastic silicone.
The development of silicone rubber by GE Silicones saw the use of the product in various forms during the space race. It formed the rubber soles of Neil Armstrong’s boots and was used in command modules onboard.
1991 – Viking Extrusions was incorporated
Viking Extrusions was incorporated on 1st August 1991. We have grown from our humble beginnings and now serve customers around the world with complex and diverse silicone rubber profiles and components. With more than 30 years of experience, our knowledge and expertise can help you with a range of projects from prototyping to development work. Read more about Viking Extrusions and see just how far we’ve come.
Present day – Silicone extrusions are created for a variety of industries
Silicone rubber has become one of the most popular materials for use in different industries. Popular within the pharmaceutical, automotive, and energy generation industries, to name a few, it is the versatile solution businesses need to achieve their goals.
The numerous benefits of silicone rubber make it essential for a variety of purposes, including:
The production of silicone rubber extrusions has come a long way since the element of silicon was first discovered. From being seen by Kipping as a sticky mess with no practical use, it has become one of the most significant materials across industries. Here at Viking Extrusions, the manufacture and development of new silicone rubber extrusions is at the core of our business. In fact, we have produced over 8,000 silicone rubber profiles for our customers.
Technology and manufacturing equipment is continuing to improve, with 3D printing moulds for silicone now available to save you time and money. No matter the project, we can help. Shop the range of products we create and sell today to find the perfect solution for you or contact us today to get a bespoke quote.
Discover everything you need to know about silicone rubber here at Viking Extrusions.
Silicone rubber is an extremely versatile material, making it one of the most popular extrusions on the market. Ideal for use in a range of applications and industries, it boasts numerous benefits and properties, and at Viking Extrusions, we have been creating high-quality rubber extrusions for over 30 years. Here we tell you everything you need to know about silicone rubber.
Silicone is a synthetic polymer created from the chemical element silicon. Silicon is the raw chemical element, while silicone is the rubber material made from the chemical element. Known by other names including elastomer and polysiloxane, this semi-organic synthetic rubber is extremely versatile and flexible.
The process of making silicone rubber is complex. In its purest form, silicon is a brittle and hard substance. To make silicone rubber as we know it, the silicon atoms have to be isolated from the silica, also known as the silicon dioxide compound. By heating a large amount of quartz as high as 1800°c, the silicon atoms can be isolated.
Multiple processes follow, including combining the silicon with methyl chloride and heating the substance. This is distilled into a polymerised siloxane, which is polymerised further. The combination of silicon, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen gives it the qualities we recognise and seek in silicone rubber.
Silicone rubber can be used in different applications, making it a popular material for use in a variety of industries. One of the silicone rubber advantages is its versatility. The material works in a variety of settings and ways to support your project, but it also boasts a number of other benefits. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages of silicone rubber, and we have highlighted a few below.
The incredible versatility of the material means that it can be used in different projects, organisations and industries with ease. As one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of silicone rubbers and extrusions, we have worked with a range of different industries and are ISO 9001 certified.
There is an extensive range of different types of silicone rubber and relevant applications. At Viking Extrusions, we create silicone extrusions, fabricated silicone parts, silicone sponges, moulded silicone parts, and silicone sheeting. Some of our most popular products are:
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular extrusions on the market and can be used in a variety of different applications. The versatility of the product means that it is used in an extensive number of industries. In fact, there are few industries that are able to use silicone rubber in some form or another. While there are industries commonly using silicone extrusions, they appear in almost all industries.
The beauty of silicone rubber is that it can be used in a variety of applications and projects. Speak to our team about your needs to find out further information.
We have been serving worldwide customers for over 30 years now with profiles and components that are both complex and diverse. We pride ourselves on the knowledge and expertise that is available in-house, accumulated through years of prototyping and development work.
Years of continued investment have resulted in the company owning an impressive range of plant and equipment that is both high-tech and ultra-reliable. Now we have over 8,000 stock dies for profiles, cords and tubes — ensuring that most requirements can be catered for without a tooling charge.
If you’re interested or just have a question about our services, contact us today. You can email us or telephone us — we’re always happy to help.
From household appliances to pharmaceuticals, silicone rubber is a durable elastomer that can last a lifetime. But is it safe to use in the long run? This blog will explore the toxicity levels of silicone and why it’s super safe to use in many products.
Silicone rubber is a material that is extremely environmentally friendly. It is more sustainable and less toxic than plastic, so it’s the substance of choice for manufacturers and builders.
In fact, cured silicone rubber is classified as chemically stable, with experts confirming the material is safe and likely not toxic.
But what about silicone rubber over time? Does it eventually become toxic? Luckily, silicone rubber resists normal oxidative deterioration. Studies have shown that silicone can retain its powerful properties and thrive for many decades, regardless of challenges like extreme weather conditions and chemical exposure.
When it comes in contact with food, water, heat, cleaning products or certain chemicals, silicone rubber will not react or produce any toxic fumes.
Currently, there are no recorded health hazards linked to silicone rubber. This makes silicone a necessity for industries like health care, early years, food and construction, which need non-toxic materials to meet specific standards.
The shelf-life of silicone rubber is a long one. In fact, it is one of the most durable materials on the market.
Silicone rubber has a unique molecular structure, rendering it resistant to most compounds. It can also withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Naturally chemical resistant, this versatile elastomer can outlast most plastics and latex-based products.
Sustainability is another reason to choose silence rubber over anything else. This is because it’s abrasion resistant, making it an enduring, planet-friendly material that doesn’t need replacing regularly.
Numerous companies and corporations require toxic-free rubber materials for products. Industries like medicine, pharmaceutical, toys, food and drink have strict regulations to meet before being brought to market. Using silicone extrusions is an easy way for them to meet tight health and safety quotas while manufacturing high-quality products to be used for years to come.
Cured silicone extrusions are a must for medical and pharmaceutical equipment. Medical-grade materials must be hygienic, chemical-resistant, waterproof, biocompatible and easily manufactured. That’s why silicone rubber is widespread in the medical industry, used for products like prosthetics, orthotics, dental equipment, diagnostics and drug dispensing.
The automotive sector needs extruded silicone for sealing and protection. In addition, vehicles have had a power boost over the years, creating higher heat and chemical production. The only material to withstand these conditions is silicone rubber, which delivers strength, durability and resistance like no other. Completely synthetic and inert, silicone rubber won’t react to any of these elements and will maintain its properties for long periods.Â
In recent years, parents are opting for silicone-based toys over plastic. Thanks to its toxic-free and stable properties, it resists reactions to water, weather and human touch. This is extremely important regarding children’s products like pacifiers, bottle tops and toys, which are placed into infants’ mouths, ensuring they are kept safe from harmful chemicals.
The food industry is highly regulated. The good news? The FDA has approved silicone rubber as entirely safe to use. Food is 100% safe for consumption thanks to non-porous, toxic-free, hygienic, odourless, durable and stable silicone. Food and drink silicone applications include food transfer tubing, Tupperware, utensils, cake moulds, packaging, and meat and dairy processing. Home appliances must also meet strict regulations due to chemical and fire hazards. Silicone extrusions are popular with home electronics due to their extreme heat resistance properties.
Many industries like aerospace and construction utilise silicone rubber to limit damage-causing vibrations, noise and shock.
High-rise buildings and high-powered machinery, need appropriate protection from intense wind pressure, supersonic sound and movement shock. If there isn’t an effective absorption material present, mechanical systems can fail, and construction work will have a much shorter lifespan, losing significant value.
One way to prevent cracks and machine failure is to apply silicone rubber gaskets. This highly versatile material is flexible, solid and temperature-resistant, withstanding extreme weather conditions.
So, why is silicone rubber ideal for shock and vibration absorption?
Due to their dynamic properties, silicone strips for vibration isolation are the material of choice for buildings, planes, cars and industrial machinery. They can be used simultaneously to create tight seals and dampen vibration.
Silicone rubber and regular rubber are both elastomers. Adding silicone to rubber diversifies and intensifies its natural properties, rendering it practical for various applications and industries. While rubber is a natural element found in latex-producing plants, Silicone is a synthetic polymer containing silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen.
Rubber is a natural substance offering adequate resilience against the elements. Derived from the cells of rubber-producing plants called Hevea Brasiliensis, rubber is mainly used today for car tyres, shoes and toys.
Silicone rubber is a highly stable material that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, including heat up to 300 Celcius and cold down to -50 Celsius. These factors explain why silicone rubber is typically used to reduce global noise and shock absorption.
Natural rubber possesses some excellent properties. Its high-strength capabilities offer durability and flexibility. However, silicone rubber has been manufactured to boost natural rubber’s properties, giving superior performance.
Silicone rubber gaskets and seals offer:-
Noise pollution can have an adverse effect on one’s health, causing anxiety, stress and hearing loss. That’s why it’s important to seal buildings and planes with sound-absorbing silicone rubber strips, to reduce vibrations and sounds.
An airborne aircraft has a noise decimal of up to 140. So it’s essential to furnish plane interiors with silicone, to dramatically reduce loud noises from its powerful engines. Silicone strips can be moulded into various shapes and sizes to fit into air ducts, windows, overhead storage and doors to combat excessive noise and vibrations mid-flight.
To learn more about silicone rubber gaskets, visit our dedicated page here.
Come and visit Viking Extrusions at Silicone Expo March 21-23, 2023.
Expo 2023 is just over a month away. Silicone Expo has established itself as the one-stop shop for buying industries to find their silicone solutions. Complimentary tickets are still available so email [email protected] for further information.
Silicone Expo 2023 runs from March 21-23, 2023 at the RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Come and visit our stand! We will be at Stand 534, close to both the Networking Lounge and Sales Lounge. See the map below for more information.
There are over 25 talks at the conference this year, and we are going to be at the heart of the action on the exhibit floor. Please drop by Stand 534 and say hi! We hope to see you there.
Waterproof materials are the most important thing to consider when building houses or aeroplanes. It’s also essential to manufacture apparel and home appliances using a highly water-resistant material. The good news? Silicone rubber is one of the world’s most waterproof materials in different industries.
So what exactly is silicone rubber? Made from Silicon, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, this synthetic rubber has abundant properties that have made manufacturing much easier for many businesses. Whether it’s pharmaceutical, construction, aerospace or automotive industry, you can bet silicon rubber is being utilised daily.Â
Highly stable and generally non-reactive, silicone rubber seals, strips and gaskets can withstand extreme environments and temperatures. While natural rubber can tolerate heat up to 85 degrees Celcius, silicone rubber can take continuous heat up to 200 degrees Celcius.
With a blend of organic and inorganic properties, silicone extrusions offer a unique and reliable resistance to water, fire and heavy chemicals.
With silicone rubber’s stability and strength, it’s no wonder most builders use it during construction. Whether providing solutions to prevent vibrations and sound or to protect properties from heat, cold and water, this flexible elastomer can do it all.
So what exactly is water-resistant silicone rubber used for in construction?
Many products for sale require the super strong water-resistant properties of silicone rubber. Let’s explore some of the most popular silicone-based objects:
Shoes
Over the years, shoe designers and companies have added silicone rubber to soles instead of leather to prolong shoe life and keep feet dry and protected at all times. Silicone rubber is also fatigue resistant, meaning it can withstand repeated use’s wear and tear without compromising quality. In addition, apparel industries love silicone rubber due to its hypoallergenic and odourless qualities.
Cooking Equipment
Utensils, cookware and moulds would be useless if they were weak. Luckily, most food industries use silicone rubber in cooking equipment to protect against deterioration from liquids and extreme heat. Food-grade silicone rubber is also one of the most hygienic materials to use thanks to its non-porous properties, making them easy to clean and remove bacteria.
Medical Supplies
Water-resistant, hygienic and durable materials are crucial in the medical industry. Whether hearing aids, tubing, packaging, chemo cooling caps, surgical trays or face masks, silicone rubber offers a practical solution for most apparatuses.
Toys
Silicone rubber-based toys are a safer alternative to traditional plastic. This polymer is super flexible and can mould into any shape and colour. Plus, it’s highly durable and waterproof, making them perfect for bath toys.
Latex is also known as natural rubber. While rubber is produced naturally from the sap of rubber plants, silicone also contains natural latex blended with synthetic additions to enhance its properties.
There are a few similarities between latex and silicone rubber, including low-temperature tolerance. However, there are significant differences, such as:
Silicone rubber is ultra-dynamic, lending itself to many of our core industries like aviation, electrical and medical sectors. As a material, silicone is super strong and flexible, offering an easier way to create products and industrial parts.
Silicone is a synthetic elastomer. This means it has sufficient elastic properties that can be used for various products such as extrusions.
As a material, silicone comprises silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. Be careful not to confuse silicon and silicone – they are entirely different. One comes from a natural element, and the other is a manufactured material.
While silicone is a popular material, it’s a complex production process to manufacture. This is one of the reasons why silicone is more expensive than regular, natural rubber.
This unique material is a favourite among most industries for extra durability, making it both high-quality and cost-effective.
As one of the most synthetic rubbers on the market, silicone has been a game-changer for even the most demanding industries.
Let’s get started on why you should choose silicone rubber for your business.Â
Silicone rubber can withstand extreme temperatures, something natural rubber cannot. This factor is crucial for industries like aviation and automation. In addition, heat-resistant rubber is necessary for many other products – home appliances and cooking equipment. In fact, most compounds can stay wholly intact and generally retain their properties in extreme temperatures. Silicone rubber can also maintain flexibility in much colder temperatures, making it the perfect all-rounder for use globally.Â
Silicone rubber is non-porous, making bacterial build-up virtually impossible. As a result, this material benefits medical products, kitchen utensils and other food applications. Not only that, but silicone rubber is water-resistant, non-toxic and recyclable.
Silicone rubber is the ultimate customisable material. It’s easy to mould and can be adjusted for specialised properties, like heat and water resistance. In addition, silicone rubber can be manufactured in every shade imaginable if you need a specific colour to match your branding.
Using silicone rubber outdoors is an excellent choice. This weather-resistant material can withstand prolonged amounts of sunlight, UV light, radiation, harsh temperatures and storms. Silicone sealant is one of the most popular ways to use silicone outdoors.Â
Because silicone rubber compounds are made from a mixture of silicone and oxygen atoms, it offers a remarkable resilience that most materials don’t possess. In fact, silicone rubber is chemically inert and can endure many substances, such as acids and water.
Easily modified and responsive, silicone rubber offers flow and flexibility like no other. Valued for its ability to endure ultra-high and low temperatures, this synthetic polymer will always retain its form and flexibility no matter what. Plus, it boasts an impressive compression set, maintaining its shape and flexibility despite
Is silicone rubber durable? Yes, silicone rubber is one of the most durable materials known to man. As mentioned earlier, silicone rubber is heat and flame-resistant, withstanding incredibly high temperatures without compromising its properties. It is also valued for its ability to endure outdoor elements like sunlight and UV gamma radiation.
As you can see, choosing silicone rubber is a no-brainer. Explore Viking Extrusions to learn more about this remarkable material and see how we can help your business.
Silicone extrusions offer a solution to many challenges faced by construction workers. For example, unintentional movement, leaks and incompatible products can be a nightmare on building sites, but with silicone extrusions, these problems are easily managed, making work more streamlined.
In fact, these days, construction relies heavily on high-quality silicone extrusions for various projects. So read on to find out some of the purposes of using silicone extrusions in construction.
Silicone extrusions are manufactured sheets of silicone. They are thin and flexible and can be made into any shape, length or colour. Thanks to its weather, water and heat-resistant properties, silicone is the leading material of choice for most civil engineering projects.
Choosing the right silicone extrusion for specific applications within the construction process is vital. Explore Viking Extrusions to find out what we can do for you and your business today.
This article acts as a guide on all things ‘addition-cure silicone rubber’, including what it is, its applications, and the different types available. We have noticed there is a lot of confusion amongst our clients when it comes to deciding which addition-cure silicone is the best for their application and which solution will fulfil their needs the best.
In this guide, we answer all the common questions we hear about addition-cure silicone, talking through its properties, the different applications it can be used for, and much more. Read on for more information and to learn more about why Viking Extrusions is the go-to destination for all types of silicone rubber extrusions.
For more information on our addition-cure silicone capabilities or to discover how Viking Extrusions can help fulfil your rubber extrusion needs, contact us today.
Addition-cure silicone rubber, also known as ‘platinum-cure silicone’, is a silicone that is catalysed or ‘cured’ with platinum to provide some of the most advantageous properties out of all mould rubbers. The word ‘addition’ refers to the curing system involved in the manufacturing process, which involves a mixture of a silicone polymer and a catalyst with the additional presence of platinum.
Condensation-cure silicone is another name for silicone rubber that is catalysed or ‘cured’ with tin salts, leading to more significant shrinkage of the part compared to the mould. One way condensation-cure silicone differs from addition-cure silicone rubber is its before-mentioned shrinkage characteristics, with addition-cure silicone delivering virtually no or minimal shrinkage.
The main difference between the two materials is the chemical, mainly referring to the type of metal used to catalyse or ‘cure’ the base rubber. In this case, platinum is used for addition-cure silicone rubber and tin salt is used for condensation-cure silicone.
Both platinum (addition) cure and tin salt (condensation) cure silicone can be cured at room temperature, which is a similarity that often causes confusion between the two. However, they are very different from each other and aren’t compatible with one another either.
No one chemistry type is superior to the other. Rather, each type has unique properties and characteristics, giving them the edge over other types in certain situations, applications, and environments. Here are the main differences between the two:
| Addition (platinum) cure | Condensation (tin salt) cure |
| Offer exceptional heat resistance and the ability to work under higher temperatures | Considerably cheaper to make |
| Very pliable and tough | Biodegradable |
| Can split or tear if stretched or twisted too much | More tear-resistant |
| The curing process is trickier and requires more careful skill and accurate mixing | Tend to weaken after 1-2 years if they are overused |
| Food safe, skin safe and transparent versions available | Preferred for general mould making — can capture very find & intricate details |
| Virtually no shrinkage in the cure process | Shrinks slightly during cure process |
| Incompatible to some chemicals including: nitrogen, sulphur, sulphur vulcanised rubbers, phosphorous and condensation cure rubbers | Works great with plaster casting, polyester, epoxy, gypsum, wax and resin |
Â
While we’re on the subject of differences, you may also be interested in our guide on understanding the difference between peroxide and platinum-cured silicone.
Addition-cure silicone rubber is popular due to its very flexible yet durable properties, including being both water and fire-resistant and excellent for making moulds or casts. It is also remarkably versatile. For example, it can be combined with numerous different types of resins and materials, including concrete, brick, fibre glass-filled resin, polyester, stone, acrylic resin, and even other types of addition-cure silicone.
Other great properties of addition-cure silicone mould rubber include:
Top Tip: Addition-cure silicones do not produce by-products during the curing (cross-linking) process. All chemical reactions are contained internally, making them perfect for moulds or component parts manufactured in a sealed environment.
Because they are so durable and resistant to the elements (heat and humidity), they are ideal for moulds that often need to be stored away for long periods.
Addition-cure silicone is very popular in many industries, including:
This type of material is particularly good for resin and plaster casting.
The table below represents the key differences between addition and condensation-cure silicone rubber:
| Â | Addition (platinum) cure | Condensation (tin salt) cure |
| Inhibition | Critically sensitive to sulphur and will fail to cure when exposed. | May still cure over models containing sulphur if the model surface is sealed with an acrylic spray. |
| Shrinkage | Generally stable and resistant to shrinkage. | Exhibits higher shrinkage over time, though how extreme this is will be determined by many variables, including mould configuration, etc. |
| Library life | A long library life, lasting even for decades. | Library life can be as little as 12 months (which is fine if you have a short term project) or as long as 5 years — it depends on what type of tin-cure silicone you go with. At the end of its library life, the mould will tear easily and be unusable. |
| Production life | Impossible to say — it depends on the application and a lot of other different variables. | Impossible to say — it depends on the application and a lot of other different variables. |
Â
Warning: Some chemical compounds can contaminate and inhibit the curing process, preventing the necessary cross-linking from taking place.
Keep your addition-cure silicone rubber away from the following materials: latex and rubber gloves, amine, PVC stabilisers and epoxy resin catalysts. Also, you cannot let addition-cure silicone come into contact with condensation-cure silicone or any sulphur-containing materials.
At Viking Extrusions, we specialise in all types of silicone rubber extrusions, covering multiple materials and moulds, including addition-cure/platinum-cure silicone profiles.
We love working with platinum-cured silicone for various reasons, including all the benefits mentioned in this guide, but also because it has excellent biocompatibility and its FDA and USP Class VI approval – making it suitable for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Over the last 30 years, we are proud to have built a reputation based on our exceptional customer service, fast lead times, premium-quality products, and ability to extrude innovative and complex silicone products. We pride ourselves on the exceptional experience and customer service we provide to our customers as one of the leading silicone extrusion manufacturers in the UK.
We have been serving a worldwide customer base for over 30 years, with profiles and components that are both complex and diverse. We have a wealth of knowledge and expertise due to the skills and experience of our in-house team, which has been accumulated through years of prototyping and development work.
Years of continued investment have resulted in the company owning an impressive range of plant and equipment that is both high-tech and ultra-reliable. We now have over 9,000 stock dies for profiles, cords, and tubes – ensuring that most requirements can be catered for without a tooling charge.
If you’re interested in our services or have a question about our products, contact us today. Alternatively, you can download our free brochure online now for more information.
We are often asked, what’s the difference between silicone curing and vulcanisation? In truth both terms describe essentially the same process — the transformation of the polymer into a cross-linked rubber.
But of course there are shades of difference. No two words mean precisely the same thing. And so in this article we are going to delve deeper into just what distinguishes both the curing and vulcanisation process, and explore a little bit more about the properties and applications of both types of silicone rubber in the world today.
The rubber curing and vulcanisation process is identical, but it’s the way that this process is carried out that distinguishes the two from each other.
Vulcanisation is the name we give to curing when sulphur is used in the process. Mineral sulphur is commonly used to help form cross-links between the rubber chains because it helps to elongate the properties of the rubber — making it more elastic in the process while at the same time making it more stable and rigid (source).
There are many other ways to cure silicone rubber without sulphur. Including:
These different curing mechanisms all result in the silicone having slightly different properties suitable for different applications.
Did you know?
The word ‘vulcanisation’ is derived from the Roman god Vulcan, the god of fire and forge.
Silicone rubber is available in both solid and liquid forms. Both have similar structures, but require different methods of curing and processing.
Solid silicone is also sometimes known as high consistency rubber (HCR). It is manufactured in large batches, and the components are mixed at high temperatures following the injection of a peroxide catalyst. The cross-linking following the chemical reaction is only allowed to partially vulcanise. The end result is large sheets of partially cross-linked silicone ready for shipping.
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a system featuring two components that also includes a platinum catalyst, a cross-linking agent, methylhydrogensiloxane and an alcohol inhibitor. It is normally processed using cold runner injecting moulding equipment, during which exothermic chemical reactions create long, stable chains of chemical bonds — resulting in a three-dimensional matrix. This method also serves to enhance the mechanical properties of the silicone (source).
When silicone rubber is cured or vulcanised, it tends to shrink but still keep its shape. It also hardens, meaning it is less likely to deform under stress. Furthermore, this hardening increases the tensile strength of the silicone.
Other great benefits of rubber curing or vulcanised silicone rubber includes:
Because of all these handy features, cured and vulcanised silicone can be found anywhere and everywhere, in applications all around us. Examples include:
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You will find cured and vulcanised silicone rubber is extremely popular across all major industries in production.
Across the extrusions industry, there are different types of cured and vulcanised rubber and silicone such as peroxide and platinum cure.
At Viking Extrusions, we specialise in two types of cured silicone rubber: platinum cured and peroxide cured.
We find there are numerous benefits to focusing on these two types.
For example, platinum cured silicone has excellent biocompatibility, and is FDA and USP Class VI approved — making it very suitable for medical and pharmaceutical applications. It also has a high tear-strength and is naturally transparent. This makes it highly suitable for food processing, peristaltic pumps and many other applications.
With peroxide cured silicone, peroxide is broken down by high temperatures which cross-link the polymers in the chain.
Peroxide silicone products have a long shelf life, an improved compression set performance, and are cheaper to produce than platinum silicone. The process of curing is also easier, and can be done at lower temperatures. The result is that peroxide cured silicone can be produced at very competitive prices.
Of course, each type has its own pros and cons. Find out more in our blog post ‘What are the Differences Between Platinum and Peroxide Cured Silicone?’ here.
The reason we stick solely with platinum and peroxide-cured silicone is because we find that it boasts a longer shelf life over the other types available, and is often cheaper to produce than platinum silicone.
Over the last 30 years, Viking Extrusions are proud to have built a reputation based on exceptional customer service, flexibility and the ability to deliver challenging and innovative silicone products. We offer fast lead times, exceptional customer service, and complex extrusions.
We have been serving worldwide customers for over 30 years now with profiles and components that are both complex and diverse. We pride ourselves on the knowledge and expertise that is available in-house, accumulated through years of prototyping and development work.
Years of continued investment have resulted in the company owning an impressive range of plant and equipment that is both high tech and ultra-reliable. Now we have over 8000 stock dies for profiles, cords and tubes — ensuring that most requirements can be catered for without a tooling charge.
If you’re interested or just have a question about our services, contact us today. You can email us or telephone — we’re always happy to help.
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular extrusion materials on the market. It is the go-to choice for a huge number of industries and applications. Silicone is a synthetic polymer that is made from the chemical element of silicon. Silicon sounds similar to silicone, however, they are two separate entities. Silicon is a raw chemical element and silicone is a rubber material, the link between the two is that silicone rubber is made up of mostly silicon as well as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
The process of extrusion is where a material, in this case, silicone rubber, goes through plastic deformation through the application of force which causes the material to flow through an orifice or even die (circular steel disks containing openings to create a profile). During the process the material adopts the dies cross-sectional profile, if the material has suitable properties then the shape will be retained at the end of the final extrusion. It helps to create an excellent finish to the material and also gives phenomenal freedom of form in the design process.
Here at Viking Extrusions, we have been providing the highest quality silicone rubber extrusions to a huge number of industries for over 30 years.
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular extrusion materials, and it is for good reason. The material has a long list of extremely great benefits that help to make it the go-to material for a huge number of different industries and applications. These advantages include:
One of the most impressive advantages of silicone rubber is its ability to withstand and perform phenomenally in extreme temperatures, both high and low. The material can withstand temperatures up to 305°c and as low as -70°c. The performance range from hot to cold is extremely impressive and can only be found with silicone rubbers.
With silicone rubber commonly being used in both the medical and food industries, it is extremely important to have good sterilisation. Silicone rubber has a non-porous nature which means that it will not be susceptible to a build-up of bacteria like E.coli and MRSA. The material is FDA-approved, meaning that it can be used in both the food and medical industries.
There are a number of reasons why silicone rubber can be used in far more applications than regular general-purpose silicone. One of the main reasons is that the material was made to have far better elongation and tensile strength than the general purpose grades meaning that it is more resistant to abrasion and fatigue.
Due to the material’s long list of benefits, it can be used in a number of different industries and applications. Its ability to work in all kinds of extreme temperatures means that it can be used in pretty much any environment and perform incredibly well. Many other materials will underperform when met with different temperatures and environments.
Due to all of the silicone rubbers’ incredible advantages, it is the go-to material for a huge number of different industries. There are a few industries that more commonly use silicone rubber extrusions. The industries that most commonly use the material are:
Silicone rubber is hugely popular in the food industry, for a number of reasons. Gaskets and other machine parts that come into contact with any food or drink are normally silicone rubber. This is because it is a non-reactive material meaning that it is phenomenal at stopping food contamination. In addition to this, silicone is also a reusable plastic which is far better for the environment than other single-use plastics.
Silicone rubber is also FDA-approved. This means that the material has been through extensive testing to ensure that it is safer for use in industries where contamination of material could pose severe health risks to the public.
The medical industry is another industry that often goes to silicone rubber as its number one choice for different applications. With medical applications, it is super important that the material used is safe. That is why the FDA-approved silicone rubber is so popular in the industry. Silicone has a non-porous nature which means that it will not be susceptible to bacteria build-up making it perfect for an industry where health is paramount.
Silicone is also high flexibility and tear resistant, making it perfect for transporting liquids and contains no plasticisers that could potentially contaminate a drug and create toxicological issues.
The last industry that commonly uses rubber extrusions is the automotive industry. Viking Extrusions started out 25 years ago providing rubber door seals to the automotive industry. Silicone is so popular in the automotive industry because of its immense reliability in both extremely high and extremely low temperatures.
In addition to this, the material is also resistant to weathering, UV, ozone, salt and a huge number of chemicals making it perfect for use in automobiles. These qualities make it the perfect choice for applications such as rubber seals, car door seals, windscreen rubber seals, and other seals found in cars.
Extrusion is a process where the material goes through plastic deformation through the application of force causing the material to flow through an orifice or even a die which is a circular steel disk which contains openings that can create a profile. During the extrusion process the material, in this case, silicone rubber will adopt the cross-section of the die. The extrusion process helps to create an excellent finish to the material and also gives freedom of form in the eventual design process.
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular material choices for a huge number of industries when it comes to extrusions. Fire safety is among the industries where silicone rubber seems to be the go-to, and this is for a number of reasons. Standardised silicone has many benefits that can help with fire safety, however, there are two main types of silicone that are used when thinking about fire safety.Â
There are actually two different types of extrusions that are used for fire safety. Heat-resistant silicone extrusions and flame retardant silicone extrusion are often confused with each other, however, they both have completely different properties.
Heat-resistant silicone is one of the two types of silicone extrusions that are predominantly used for fire safety. This is because it is manufactured to function properly and maintain its mechanical properties when met with extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
The rubber material can withstand heat up to 305°c all the way down to -70°c, which is a far greater range than any other polymerised rubber material. Its ability to withstand such incredible temperatures allows the material of the structure to maintain its properties when met with any temperatures meaning that it can perform at its best in any environment.
A good example of a heat-resistant silicone extrusion would be a silicone seal used on an oven. This is constantly exposed to extreme heat but can still perform extremely effectively due to its incredible temperature range.
As you would expect from the name, flame retardant silicone extrusions are also commonly used in fire safety. Flame retardant silicone is so effective as it has been specifically formulated to have the ability to be self-extinguishing, something that no other material has. For a material to be classified as flame retardant it must go through stringent testing and must be subjected to a flame for a specified period to prove that it can perform correctly even when met with flames.
This silicone rubber also has low smoke and low toxicity. Therefore, in the event of a fire, they will not emit much smoke or toxic fumes. This is actually a very important safety standard in many industries that commonly use silicone rubber extrusions.
However, flame retardant silicones do not have the ability to withstand such impressive heat ranges as heat-resistant silicone extrusions. These can only withstand temperatures of up to 200°c. This is still impressive when compared with other rubber materials.
There are multiple silicone grades that meet flame retardant requirements for different industries. These include:
VFR(2) – This is a flame retardant grade of silicone developed for rail applications. It is available in 68° Shore A.
VFR 203-803 – This flame-retardant grade of material is specified for use in aerospace applications and is available from 20° shore A to 80° shore A.
EN45545-2 – This particular garde is standard in the railway industry and across other mass transit vehicles.
In certain industries’ working environments there are always potential dangers, with fires being one of them. When dealing with applications that go through extreme temperatures or things like sparks that could be a fire hazard, silicone rubber is undoubtedly one of the best materials for thighs such as extrusions to be made from.
Silicone is an extremely effective and safe material, which is why it is extremely effective to have silicone rubber extrusions bridging the components together in moving parts and machinery that could potentially be susceptible to fire hazards. The material also has the unique ability to help stop the spread of things such as toxic gas, smoke and fire that could pose a serious threat to workers.
Silicone is a synthetic polymer that is made from the chemical element of silicon. While both silicone and silicon sound very similar they are two separate things. Silicon is the raw chemical element, whereas silicone is a rubber material. The link between the two is that silicone rubber is primarily derived from silicon along with hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.Â
To make silicone rubber the silicon atoms have to be isolated from the silicon dioxide compound known as silica. The isolation is done by heating a large quantity of quartz to temperatures as high as 1800°c. There are then multiple processes that follow this that help to create the end product of silicone rubber.
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular rubber materials for a huge range of different industries. This is because it has so many amazing benefits that make it the perfect material for a huge range of applications from extrusions to automotive parts. These advantages include:
One of silicone rubber’s most impressive advantages is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, both high and low. The material’s temperature range is truly incredible, it can withstand and perform better than all other polymers when met with extremely high temperatures. Some components of silicone rubber can withstand temperatures of up to 305°c.Â
Its incredible ability to withstand such temperatures allows the material to retain its structure and properties over a huge temperature range. In addition to its ability to perform at high temperatures its temperature range also allows the material to maintain its flexibility at temperatures as low as -70°c. This range from hot and cold performance is very rare and can only really be found in silicone rubbers.
Silicone rubber is very commonly found in food and medical products, this is because silicone rubber has a non-porous nature which means that it will not be susceptible to a buildup of bacteria. Sterilisation and hygiene are such a huge matter in these industries and therefore having the most sterile and safe materials to use is hugely important.Â
There are also silver nanoparticles that can be blended into silicone which can act as antibacterial agents. These then work to prevent infestation of microbes like MRSA and E. coli growing and multiplying on the product in which silicone rubber has been used. Common appliances that you will find using silicone rubber are kitchen utensils, medical utensils and so much more.
Silicone is also an FDA-approved material which means that it has been specially formulated to meet the requirements of both the food and drug associations.
For many reasons, silicone rubber can be used for far more applications than general-purpose silicones. One of these reasons is that the material was designed to have far better elongation and tear strength compared to the general purpose grade. This helps the products that they are used in to be more resistant to abrasion and fatigue.Â
Because of this, it is typically used in applications such as extrusions, moulding and calendering. This is because all of these applications involve the stretching and reshaping of the material so any tear strength or elongation weaknesses will result in the tearing of the material.
In many applications where chemicals are present, you will often find that silicone rubber is used. This is due to silicone’s low chemical reactivity. Unlike other rubbers, silicone does not have a carbon to carbon backbone, it has silicone to oxygen backbone. This means that where other rubbers are susceptible to damage from ozone, chemicals, extreme heat and other potential hindrances, silicone rubber can comfortably withstand them.
Versatility is one of its most obvious advantages. The material can be used in a huge range of applications thanks to its countless unique benefits. It is very hard to find other materials that have the properties of silicone that can be used in such a variety of industries and applications.Â
Its ability to withstand both extreme heat and extreme cold also allows it to be used in several different environments. Many materials can often underperform or even not perform at all in harsh environments, whereas silicone rubber can be put through a variety of different environments and still perform perfectly.
While silicone rubber has a huge number of advantages, as with most materials it does also have some disadvantages. The main disadvantages of silicone rubber are:
Tear strength is a very interesting disadvantage of silicone rubber, this is because it can also be an advantage of silicone rubber. The silicone rubber that has impressive tear strength is called high tensile strength silicone rubber. This is a completely different grade from your average general-purpose silicone rubber.Â
General purpose silicone rubber has very poor tear strength. This is because of the siloxane backbone (silicon to oxygen). While this backbone offers brilliant stability and flexibility it also has a very weak chain and can therefore be very much susceptible to tears.Â
However, the general purpose silicone rubber can be strengthened into high tensile strength silicone rubber with the addition of other ingredients. High tensile strength silicone rubber is the complete opposite in the fact that the tear strength is extremely high and is designed to have far better elongation.
The biggest disadvantage to this phenomenal material is the cost. It is more expensive than most of the other rubbers on the market. But as we have shown in this article, it is for good reason.Â
With silicone rubber, you get so many unique properties that other rubber cannot compete with. While the initial investment may be slightly higher than with other rubber materials, the return on investment will be far greater thanks to their durability, long shelf life and all the other amazing benefits that we have talked about.
Like all materials, silicone does have its disadvantages. However, with silicone rubber, it is fair to say that the positives more than outway the negatives. It has so many unique and fantastic properties and benefits that make it the perfect material to use in a huge range of different applications.Â
Here at Viking Extrusions, we specialise in silicone rubber extrusions. Get in touch with us today and see how we can help you.
3D printing silicone moulds is a brand new manufacturing process that is perfect for rapidly testing product ideas and also low volume productions. In the 3D printing industry, silicone is pretty new. However, this is not to do with any lack of demand. Silicone is actually one of the most popular material choices for a huge range of industries and applications.Â
The reason is that it took some time for silicone 3D printing to become available as it took quite some time to finish the technology needed. This is mainly down to the silicone’s very high viscosity. This meant that the material was too difficult to print into precise shapes.Â
3D printing silicone is most commonly done using liquid silicone rubber (LSR), this is because of its high stability and brilliant temperature range.
3D printing is a phenomenal piece of technology that can have so many benefits for a range of different industries. Silicone 3D printing is the same, there are so many benefits that come with being able to 3D print the material. These are:
3D printing is such incredibly advanced technology that it opens up whole new possibilities that we could never have previously thought of. Silicone is used by a huge range of different industries that could benefit greatly from such vast customisation possibilities.Â
Before 3D printing, liquid silicone rubber was already very commonly used in the healthcare industry. However, 3D printing allows for completely new customisation of so many different applications within the industry. It is the same in all the industries in that silicone is commonly used. The new opportunity for the creation of silicone products is huge.Â
The silicone 3D printing process also allows multiple variations of a design to be printed at the same time making the whole production process far more efficient and streamlined.
In most industries, lead times are extremely important. The introduction of silicone 3D printing can help speed up lead times drastically. This is for a number of reasons. No traditional tooling is required in the production of the material, it is simply all technology meaning that the process can be done far quicker.Â
Another reason for the quick lead times is the fact that models for parts can be speedily transferred into shells that are both printed and moulded. This again would help to speed up the manufacturing process and in turn speed up lead times.
One of the main benefits of silicone that has been manufactured traditionally is its incredibly impressive temperature range. This is actually what makes it so attractive for such a huge range of industries. For this reason, it would be an unwise decision to change to 3d printing the silicone material if it would harm such an important benefit.Â
Well, it does not, the printed silicone can still withstand both extreme cold temperatures and extremely hot temperatures. The material can actually withstand temperatures ranging from -55°c to 200°c. These are temperatures far more extreme than most polymers have the ability to withstand.
Costs have always been somewhat of a disadvantage to silicone rubber, however, 3D printed silicone is actually on the cheaper side of things. This is because there is a reduced tooling cost due to the fact that there is no need for any traditional tooling in the printing process. Tooling can be one of the biggest costs during the production of the material, so taking that away can save a huge amount of money.Â
In addition to this, the faster lead times and the ability to be printing multiple variations of a design at one time. The printing process is also incredibly precise and reliable so you have to worry less about wasted material and costly mistakes.
As with all materials and especially all new technologies, there are some disadvantages that you should be aware of. These disadvantages include:
As we have previously mentioned, the 3D printing of silicone is a relatively new thing. For this reason, it is extremely hard to come across and many manufacturers do not have access to a 3D printing machine. Only a handful of companies across the UK offer this service as the hardware and the materials needed to complete the process are very hard to come across.
In any process where you are using liquid silicone rubber, once it has dried there is no way of returning it back to its original liquid form. This means that you have to be absolutely sure that your project has been planned perfectly. Once the process has been completed there is no way of remoulding, changing, transforming or reusing the material in any way.
3D printing silicone is a relatively new technology, for this reason, there are bound to be some disadvantages and accessibility issues. However, as the technology develops over time these disadvantages will begin to be addressed and the advantages will continue to become greater.Â
It is a technology that can be extremely useful if you are able to gain access to a company that offers this service. Here at Viking Extrusions, we are fortunate enough to have silicone 3D printing technology so get in touch with us today to discuss this service.
Here at Viking extrusions, a common question that we get asked is ‘what temperatures can silicone withstand?’ Well, there is not exactly a definitive answer as they have so many unique and general purposes.
Silicone rubber can withstand extreme temperatures, whereas other polymers such as polyurethane, nitrile and polyacrylate can not. Being able to withstand both low temperatures and high temperatures is truly what helps it to stand out amongst other rubbers.
Â
Due to its impressively wide temperature range, silicon does not melt as a result of temperature alone.
Most plastics begin to melt when met with high temperatures. Silicone, however, exhibits unique behaviour when in high-temperature environments. Silicone does not have a melting point but instead remains solid until combustion occurs. At extreme temperatures (above 200 C) silicone slowly begins to lose its mechanical properties, becoming harder and more brittle.
This process is further accelerated when met with even higher temperatures of over 300 C. While there is no set temperature for high-temperature silicone auto ignition, it generally occurs at around 450 C.
Â
When discussing the temperature range of silicone, it is important to understand how the material is made and what the material is made of.
Silicon is a synthetic polymer made from the chemical element silicon. Silicon is the raw chemical element and silicone is the rubber material.
Silicon is most commonly found as silica which is an oxide of silicon. While primarily derived from silicon, the silicone formulation also includes hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.
In order to make silicone, silicon and silicon dioxide compound silica must be isolated from each other. To do this they heat quartz sand to temperatures up to 180 C. Then there are multiple processes to go through where silicon and methyl chloride are combined and heated. It is then distilled into a polymerised siloxane known as polydimethylsiloxane which can then be polymerised.
Â
Silicone is used across a huge variety of different industries and products. Silicone products can are used in everyday life on a daily basis in everything from the caulk sealants around your bathtubs to the gaskets and sealants around your home appliances.
Silicone is so common due to its many unique properties such as:
Â
Silicone’s behaviour throughout the combustion process is very unique. Once the temperature of autoignition (around 450 C) has been reached the heat-resistant material will begin to smoke before cracking and combusting. At this point, the silicone will expand in volume and release volatiles. Following this, brittle, combusted materials will break away and disintegrate into a fine powder.
During combustion, both silicone and carbon dioxides are produced with the carbon monoxides and carbon dioxides being released into the atmosphere. The silicon dioxide, on the other hand, creates a white powder and acts as an insulating layer that helps slow down and prevent further combustion.
Â
General Purpose Silicones – General purpose silicones like silicone sealants and gaskets tend to have a high-temperature limit of around 200 C to 250 C and also lower temperatures of -50 C to -75 C. This makes silicone the perfect material for applications with extreme temperature requirements.
Heat stabilised silicone – Heat stabilised silicones contain additives that increase their maximum operating temperature to 260°C.
High-temperature silicone – High-temperature grades of silicone contain additives that make them suitable for applications up to 300°C for intermittent periods. If the part is to be exposed to continuous temperatures over 300°C then the silicone’s properties would degrade with time.
Flame retardant silicone grades – Flame retardant grades can withstand intermittent temperatures up to 220°C (depending on the specific grade). These materials contain additives which enhance silicones’ self-extinguishing properties. A variety of flame retardant grades are available specifically formulated to meet standards such as:
For detailed information on all of the silicone grades we offer, visit our technical datasheets page.
Manufacturers of precision silicone rubber extrusions, mouldings and inflatable seals.
© Viking Extrusions. All Rights Reserved.
Designed by Damteq.
Close
We ship our goods worldwide using a variety of couriers including DPD, DHL, TNT, UPS and FEDEX. Please contact us to discuss your shipping requirements.
Close
We ship our goods worldwide using a variety of couriers including DPD, DHL, TNT, UPS and FEDEX. Please contact us to discuss your shipping requirements.
