Special Applications
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) components offer high thermal stability, o-zone and UV resistance and long term non-aging mechanical properties in many challenging environmental conditions. By using fully-automated injection molding technology, low tolerances are achieved even when unique odd shapes are required.
For specific, information of the material and application alternatives, we recommend reviewing the technical information page or contact us directly.
- Irrigation & Filtration
- Valve & Gauge
- Seals, Gaskets and O-Rings
- Low Pressure Exit
- Lighted Panel Buttons
- Overmolded Parts
Irrigation and Filtration Components
Irrigation components such as pressurized sprinkler nozzles require seals and pressure membranes that should last even when exposed to all possible environmental conditions. LSR material, unlike many other rubbers, will not suffer considerable property loss over time – even when exposed to UV or highly variable temperatures. Exit nozzles for certain irrigation components may be designed in such a way as to prevent calcium buildup. Similarly, filtration components and seals made out of LSR will have very long life by maintaining high resilience and low compression set.
Valve and Gauge, Membranes and Seal Rings
Minimizing assembly steps and errors is necessary especially when high-precision gauges are designed knowing that membrane tension directly controls the gauge behavior. Minimal errors in thickness distributions throughout the part or torsions during assembly may lead to incorrect gauge readings. By multi-component molding precise tolerances, uniform thicknesses throughout the part are possible and assembly errors are eliminated.
Seals, Gaskets and O-Rings
In most industrial applications, parts are subjected to harsh environments where the life time of a component may depend on its seal or gasket. Whether the reason for the seal is water resistance, alignment, dampening, or high pressures, LSR will excel in maintaining the lifetime requirements of your equipment or parts. With fully automated processing conditions, improved quality and lower tolerances are achieved compared to HCRs, and in addition offer the capability of overmolded seals and gaskets to reduce assembly costs.
Low Pressure Exit, Check and One-Way Valves
Due to the superior flex characteristics allowing for elongation with no permanent deformation, one-way valves, dual-valves and exit nozzles may be designed in such a way so that they will open when applied a certain pressure but every time revert to their original sealed position when the pressure is removed.
Lighted Panel Buttons
Overmolded LSR to Thermoplastic casings which allow for perfectly transparent buttons and/or any degree of semi-transparency with an enormous range or color possibilities. Loading requirements, flex of buttons and feel may be easily altered due to the vast range of LSR materials available and geometries chosen.
Overmolded Parts
For any application where assembly of a certain seal, gasket or flimsy rubber component may be complicated, or when errors in assembly are unacceptable, overmolding parts will be the best manufacturing possibility. Huge reductions in costs of assembly may be obtained and better final properties of the parts. LSR may be chemically and mechanically bonded onto thermoplastics with no need of primers. Direct bonding to metals with an integrated adhesive and/or mechanical bonding is also possible leading to parts with a strong lasting bond.