HTV Solid Silicone Rubber Molding
HTV solid silicone rubber molding is the most common and widely used production process for silicone rubber products in the silicone industry. Everyday items such as silicone keypads, silicone bracelets, silicone watches, phone cases, silicone kitchenware, silicone mats, ice trays, and cake molds are typically manufactured using solid silicone rubber through the molding process.
The main production process of molded silicone rubber products involves heating and pressurizing the silicone rubber material in a closed mold cavity to shape it into the desired product. To ensure the production of high-quality products, several factors such as working temperature, molds, time, placement, weight, and more need to be carefully considered. Based on the working principle of silicone rubber molding, molders have identified four key details that require attention in the HTV solid silicone rubber molding process.
HTV Solid Silicone Rubber Molding Process:
1. When molding silicone rubber products, the silicone rubber undergoes high-pressure compression. Due to the inherent cohesion of the elastomer, the silicone rubber often experiences unstable shrinkage during demolding (the shrinkage rate of silicone rubber varies depending on the type of rubber). It takes some time to stabilize and mitigate this shrinkage. Therefore, careful calculation and comprehensive consideration of the formulation and mold design are necessary in the initial stages of silicone rubber product design to prevent size instability, which could compromise product quality.
2. Silicone rubber is a thermosetting elastomer, while plastic is a thermoplastic. The curing temperature range for silicone rubber can vary depending on the type of silicone rubber curing agent used, and it may even be affected by changes in climate and indoor temperature and humidity. Therefore, the production conditions for silicone rubber products need to be adjusted accordingly to avoid variations in product quality.
3. Silicone rubber products are made from silicone rubber compound materials that are processed through a rubber mixer. The formulation is carefully designed based on the desired characteristics of the silicone rubber product, including the desired hardness and the type of silicone rubber curing agent required. The molded silicone rubber products are then produced using a rubber plate vulcanizing machine. After molding, the products undergo a deflashing process to ensure smooth and burr-free surfaces.
4. Issues such as sticking, warping, air bubbles, and incomplete curing white spots may occur during the silicone rubber molding and curing process. It is important to adjust mold temperature, venting time, mold pressure, and other factors to address these issues effectively.
By paying attention to these key points in HTV solid silicone rubber molding, manufacturers can optimize the production process, ensure consistent quality, and deliver reliable silicone rubber products to meet customer requirements.