What is Liquid Silicone Rubber?
Liquid silicone rubber, also known as LSR, is a type of organic silicone material that differs from solid high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber. It is a liquid material characterized by excellent fluidity, fast curing, and being safe and environmentally friendly. LSR is based on linear polyorganosiloxane as the primary polymer and is formed into an elastomer with outstanding properties through the addition of cross-linking agents, reinforcing fillers, and other additives, followed by a specific vulcanization process.
Characteristics of Liquid Silicone Rubber
Good Fluidity: LSR exhibits excellent fluidity at room temperature, allowing for precise injection and molding, making it particularly suitable for manufacturing complex shapes and intricate structures.
Rapid Curing: LSR can quickly cure and form at appropriate temperatures and pressures, shortening production cycles and improving production efficiency.
Safe and Environmentally Friendly: LSR is non-toxic and odorless, meeting food-grade and medical-grade safety standards, and is harmless to humans and the environment.
Outstanding Performance: LSR boasts superior tear resistance, resilience, anti-yellowing properties, thermal stability, and aging resistance, enabling it to maintain stable performance in various harsh environments.
Manufacturing Process of Liquid Silicone Rubber
The manufacturing process of LSR mainly includes the steps of raw material preparation, mixing, injection molding, and curing.
Raw Material Preparation: Polydimethylsiloxane, cross-linking agents, reinforcing fillers, and other raw materials are prepared in specific proportions and pre-treated.
Mixing: In a static mixer, A and B components (also known as base material and catalyst) are mixed in a specific ratio to form a uniform LSR mixture.
Injection Molding: The mixed LSR is injected into a mold, where it is vulcanized and formed under heat and pressure. The injection molding process offers the advantages of a simple process, high product precision, and large output.
Curing: After a certain period of heating and pressurization in the mold, the LSR gradually cures and forms into an elastomer with specific shapes and properties.
Application Areas of Liquid Silicone Rubber
Due to its excellent properties and broad application prospects, LSR is widely used in numerous fields.
Medical Field: LSR's non-toxic, odorless, and biocompatible properties make it widely used in medical devices and simulated human organs.
Food Industry: LSR meets food-grade safety standards and can be used to make food-grade molds, containers, and other products.
Baby Products: LSR is used to make baby products such as pacifiers and soothers, which are soft, comfortable, safe, and reliable.
Electronics Industry: In the electronics industry, LSR is used as a coating and encapsulation material for moisture-proofing, insulation, and protection of electronic components, safeguarding them from dust, moisture, vibration, and insulation issues.
Mold Manufacturing: LSR can be used to create molds for various complex shapes, such as molds for forming ceramics, wax products, and plaster materials.
As a high-performance polymer material, liquid silicone rubber has demonstrated wide-ranging application prospects in the medical, food, baby products, electronics, and mold manufacturing industries. With the continuous advancement of technology and the increasing demands for material performance, LSR is expected to play a more significant role in additional fields, injecting new vitality into the development of various industries.