How HCR Silicone Is Fabricated

How HCR Silicone Is Fabricated

Choosing the best fabrication method and material type for silicone rubber products, parts and seals will determine how accurate, durable and long-lasting they are. The choice of fabrication method is driven by the requirements of the part and the design. Designers, engineers and managers will evaluate the different fabrication methods for the product or part they are designing. The options often come down to choosing between Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and High-Consistency Rubber (HCR).

HCR silicone elastomers are heat cured, characterized by excellent aging resistance, superior mechanical properties at temperature and good flexibility. These elastomers are suitable for a wide range of applications and offer exceptional performance in conditions of extreme temperatures and environmental stress. They also exhibit good electrical insulation properties, making them an ideal material for wire and cable sheathing or other electrical applications.

In the manufacturing of hcr silicone, a variety of raw materials are used to provide additional properties, such as plasticizers and other fillers to improve the flow of the elastomer. In addition, special additives can help improve the thermal or chemical properties of hcr silicones, such as flame retardants and anti-oxidants. The elastomer is then mixed with a base material and cross-linked to form a solid. The curing agent is usually a peroxide in the case of HCRs, with some specialty grades being developed with fluro or phenyl groups to improve low-temperature properties.

HCRs can be fabricated using a number of different methods, including extrusion and calendering. They are also capable of being injection molded, which allows for the production of complex shapes with very tight tolerances. For this reason, hcrs are often used in sealing applications such as perimeter seals for appliances and plumbing fixtures, faucet and toilet seals and facial mask seals.

The fabrication process for HCR silicones is generally a peroxide cure, but some specialty grade HCRs with fluro or phenyl added to improve low-temperature properties can be cured with platinum. This is an important consideration when choosing a HCR manufacturer, since these specialty compounds may have differing outgassing test results than the main line of vinyl methyl silicones.

Another benefit of HCRs is that they can be fabricated with lower temperatures than LSRs, which makes them ideal for a wider range of applications in terms of both the operating and processing temperature ranges. These include aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, construction and electronics.

There are several different ways that HCRs can be molded, depending on the final part design and the fabrication method. Some HCRs can be molded with a compression mold, which uses heated plates to compress the hcr silicone into a shaped mold. Other HCRs can be molded through transfer molding, which uses a runner, sprue and gate system to feed the hcr silicone into a mold. HCRs can also be injection molded, which is a popular option for parts that require unique material properties or that will be produced at mid to high volume.

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