LIQUID SILICONE RUBBER | MATERIALS
LSR gains versatility for better efficiency
Liquid silicone rubber materials are broadening their application areas thanks to developments by silicone and machinery specialists. Mikell Knights finds out what’s new
The latest developments from suppliers of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) feature faster curing, improved processing, lower density, and more eco-friendly and sustainable grades. Automotive, medical and food contact applications are important areas of focus. Equipment suppliers have presented new processing concepts created through collaboration with material and process machinery providers or have upgraded their dosing models with servo technology for more precision. At the K2022 show,Wacker highlighted Elastosil
Eco, a new silicone rubber grade manufactured in a resource-efficient, certified process with the aid of methanol derived from plants rather than from fossil materials. As biomethanol and its fossil counterpart are chemically interchangeable, Elastosil Eco products possess the same end properties as incumbent Elastosil materials. Processing techniques involved in producing Elastosil and Elastosil Eco are also identical. Wacker plans to offer eight Eco versions of its silicone rubber grades. This includes six hardness values of the non-post cure and tear-resistant LSR Elastosil LR 5040, to be named Elastosil Eco LR 5040, one hardness grade each of its peroxide- curing Elastosil R 401 grade, to be named Elastosil Eco R 401/40, and the addition-curing solid silicone Elastosil R plus 4020, to be named Elastosil Eco R plus 4020/40. Wacker announced that its Silmix ready-to-use
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rubber blends will also be available made from plant-based methanol upon request. Wacker also debuted at K2022 a new self-adhe- sive LSR grade that cures extremely rapidly and establishes a firm bond with polycarbonate materials. Its Elastosil LR 3078 grade uses a newly developed and already patented self-adhesive technology that does not contain bisphenol A structures, which increases occupational safety and contributes to consumer protection. All grades of Elastosil LR 3078 can be easily
processed by two-component injection moulding. The product does not contain substances that can result in deposits forming in the mould during processing. Parts with complicated geometric shapes can be
produced with high precision without the need for secondary finishing, thus allowing the use of Elastosil LR 3078 in miniaturised PC-LSR hybrid parts and for completely new product designs. Wacker has developed two product solutions to the challenging industry task of manufacturing mechanically durable plastic components that are stable at temperatures of over 200° C for long periods.
Customers who prefer to work with their own fillers or filler blends can use Silres LR 700 or Powersil Resin 700, both solvent-free phenyl methyl silicone resin binders that are clear, low-viscosity liquids. On the other hand, users who want to take
July/August 2023 | INJECTION WORLD 39
Main image: A lemon squeezer designed by Lékué is moulded in Silmax Eco R plus TS 40002, a food-grade, biomethanol- based LSR from Wacker
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