Liquid Silicone Rubber

Stockwell Elastomerics is a leading manufacturer of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) based products utilizing its extensive in-house silicone rubber molding operations. LSR is a versatile elastomer that can be molded into sheets and cast into continuous rolls for die cutting or waterjet cutting.

Stockwell Elastomerics applies acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives onto LSR sheets and rolls for adhesive backed gaskets. One of Stockwell Elastomerics’ specialties is applying film supported acrylic adhesives, such as 3M 9415 or Adchem 256M and 3M 467 transfer film adhesive onto .010″ and .020″ thick cast liquid silicone rubber for display gaskets and similar applications requiring a very thin gasket.

Stockwell Elastomerics also injection molds custom 3D parts per customer specifications. LSRs have a wide temperature range (-58°F to 392°F) and can be made in wide durometer range (10 – 80 Shore A) without plasticizers. Silicone’s excellent rebound, UV and ozone resistance makes it ideal for outdoor sealing and can be use for submerged gaskets (IP67 and NEMA 6). Stockwell Elastomerics maintains in-house inventory of silicone sheet, silicone rolls and molding compounds to be injection molded for fast response times.

Request a Free Liquid Silicone Rubber Touch Brochure

Includes small samples of cured LSR materials to touch and feel.

Why Specify Liquid Silicone Rubber?

Performance properties and fast cure cycles make liquid silicone rubber a good choice for small molded components. Unlike most thermoplastic elastomers (TPRs and TPEs), LSR remains flexible and elastic down to -58°F and retains its properties up to 392°F. Liquid silicone rubber is a good candidate for gaskets, seals and cushioning pads in portable communications, data acquisition instruments and ruggedized electronic devices where outdoor conditions are demanding. The cure cycles in liquid injection molding allow for a 1 or 2 cavity mold to out-produce a compression mold with a higher cavity count.

Beyond the mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties of LSR, there are numerous other reasons to specify this type of material. From a manufacturability standpoint, a few key factors stand out. One of the biggest reasons that customers may end up going with LSR material is geometry. Any sort of 3D shape that cannot be fabricated in a flat configuration would require a molding process – usually with parts like this, a high production quantity level justifies the added cost of tooling that is associated with LSR molding.

Additionally, some customers may have flat gaskets, but with very tight thickness tolerance needs. In these cases, Stockwell Elastomerics can leverage its sheet molding capabilities to hold tighter tolerances in small sheets, which can then be used to die-cut or waterjet cut flat gaskets and pads.

Transitioning from Flat Prototypes to Molded Production Parts

On occasion, customers want to transition from flat cut parts to molded components. As customers work through small prototype runs of initial designs, Stockwell Elastomerics supports this change with quick turn waterjet cut gaskets using molded LSR sheets. As designs develop and molding is required, the same material can be utilized. This eliminates re-testing and re-validation, since the material is the exact same for the prototypes and production parts.

For parts without any sort of 3D geometry, molding can be a very cost effective solution at high quantity production, as traditional die-cutting and waterjet cutting have wasted material cost. For example, a small window gasket may be quite cost effective to provide in small quantities as a waterjet cut part, but as production quantities increase, the combined cost of the wasted window cutout can add up. In cases like this, paying to tool-up a production LSR mold creates a much more cost-effective solution trimmed piece price down the line.

Cure Catalysts – Tin vs. Platinum

In LSR materials, a catalyst is required as part of the curing process. Common cure catalysts are tin (also known as condensation cure) and platinum (also known as addition cure). All of Stockwell Elastomerics’ LSR products are platinum-cured.

Platinum-cured LSR is typically “cleaner” than tin-cured LSR – this is why many of Stockwell Elastomerics’ LSR products are suitable to be used in the medical device industry. Platinum-cured LSR is often capable of meeting FDA and USP Class VI certifications. Platinum-cured LSR can also survive higher temperatures when compared to tin-cured alternatives.

Tin-cured LSR is usually found in consumer and inventor-grade material. This material can cure using condensation from the air and does not require heat. Tin-cured LSR is typically not FDA grade and is not used in more demanding applications.

While tin-cured LSR is more accessible for hobby-grade and various consumer applications, it does not offer some of the distinct advantages and high-performance characteristics of platinum-cured LSR. This is why platinum-cured LSRs used exclusively – these materials best serve customers in core industries served by Stockwell Elastomerics.

Liquid Silicone Durometer Range

LSR is available in a hardness range of 10 to 80 durometer Shore A. 10 durometer LSR is very soft like chewing gum and can feel softer than some extra firm silicone foam and silicone sponge products. 80 durometer LSR is harder than a heel of a shoe and is as firm as many thermoplastic elastomer products. Most applications for LSR are specified in the 20 to 60 durometer Shore A range.

Stockwell Elastomerics’ Liquid Silicone Rubber Touch Brochure can assist with selection of material hardness for specific applications. The tensile, elongation and tear resistance properties of liquid silicones have improved since the initial commercialization of LSR.

LSR At a Glance

• Wide hardness range of 10 to 80 durometer Shore A
• Wide operating temperature (-58°F to 392°F)
• Excellent UV and ozone resistance
• Excellent electrical insulation
• Excellent for outdoor environmental sealing
• Good choice for submerged sealing (IP67 and NEMA 6)
• Excellent choice for medical devices
• Certain materials meet FDA and USP Class VI requirements
• Materials include LSR with UL flame ratings UL 94HB and UL 94V-0
• Good material for low temperature cushioning (cold drop test)
• Custom molded components, sheets and continuous cast sheets
• Many available standard colors and custom colors for molded parts and molded sheets
• Fast prototyping – LSR sheet / waterjet cut parts
• Available with adhesive backing – film supported acrylic or acrylic transfer film adhesives

Liquid Silicon Rubber or Liquid Silicone Rubber?

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

Request a Free Liquid Silicone Rubber Touch Brochure

Includes small samples of cured LSR materials to touch and feel.