Liquid Silicone Rubber Injection Molding

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Dimensional Tolerances in Liquid Injection Molding

Another key benefit of liquid silicone molding is tight control over dimensional tolerances. As the injection molding process occurs with the tooling closed, cross-section tolerances are generally tighter than available from compression molding of gum base silicones. For most applications, Stockwell Elastomerics designs tooling and processes to meet the ARPM &#;A-2&#; precision tolerances (formerly RMA &#;A-2&#;) for both the closure (cross section) dimensions and the plan view (length and width) dimensions. A dimensional tolerances chart is available for reference.

Tooling Considerations for Liquid Silicone Injection Molding

Liquid silicone rubber molding involves room temperature compound (Part &#;A&#; and Part &#;B&#; liquids) mixed and pumped into a hot mold. Tooling designs are simplified as liquid silicone rubber flows readily into very thin cross sections, tight radii and thick / thin features. Tooling surfaces do not have to be highly polished, and draft angles are not required to facilitate removal of the finished component from the mold. When the cure cycle is complete, the molded silicone gasket (LIM gasket) can be removed without concern of distortion or tearing since the silicone is fully cured. (TPRs and TPEs would require ejector pins and draft angles designed into the molds.)

Contact us to see samples of liquid silicone injection molding items containing undercuts, straight walls and similar design features that were produced from molds designed to utilize the unique properties of LSR.

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Stockwell Elastomerics&#; latest developments in liquid silicone injection molding include increasing shot size (over 300 grams) to produce LSR molded gaskets as large as 8&#; wide x 18&#; long for analytical instrumentation, medical diagnostic equipment and telecommunication housings. This same capability allows liquid silicone molding of cured sheets, .020&#; thick through .188&#; thick in 12&#; x 12&#; sheet mold; secondary cutting and adhesive lamination is available.

Terminology Notes: Liquid Silicone Rubber or Liquid Silicon Rubber? Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding, Liquid Silicone Molding or LIM Molding?

Although silicon rubber is called out sometimes called out in specifications, silicone rubber is the widely accepted terminology used among in the synthetic rubber industry.

Similarly, the terms liquid silicone rubber molding, liquid silicone rubber injection molding, liquid silicone molding, silicone liquid molding, liquid silicone injection molding, silicone injection molding, LIM molding, silicone rubber molding and silicone molding are all used frequently and mostly interchangeably.

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