Liquid silicone rubber (also called liquid silicone, liquid rubbers, rubber shock, silky stretch, liquid slip, and flex-x) is created from solid silicone oil. The process to create this fluid is by using a cold compress or by using hot water (room temperature). It is thermosetting, meaning that it is thermoactive (reacted to temperature). There are mainly three major uses for liquid silicone rubber; i.e. for curing, protecting, and retaining heat. In curing, the properties of the rubber keep it from separating, thus increasing the ability of the material to serve its purpose. It can also help with thermosetting as well as low compression set and stretch. In protecting, they provide an increase in the life (reduced distortion) and temperature ranges of machinery and tools by forming a barrier.
Thermosets, or liquid silicone rubber gaskets, generally have a high degree of resistance to heat, abrasion, creep, chemical damage, ablation, and dehydration. However, some of the more common applications will use it more as a lubricant than as a gasket. This is because it can be injected into a variety of different types of metallography applications. For instance, in injection molding of metals and casting, injection of a liquid silicone rubber gasket will allow the process to work faster and keep the parts from cooling too quickly between applications.
The most common use for the product comes in the form of a grease cover for injection molds. Injection molding is the process of making parts, generally plastic or foam, in high-density and temperature-controlled environments. Silicone gaskets come in two forms, solid or partially solid. They can be injection molded as part of the materials or placed in a fluid solution or discharge mold. While silicone rubber gaskets are commonly used as lubricants in injection molding, it is possible to also use them as an extra lubricant during other processes. This is done in situations where one type of material requires constant lubrication, such as those in aerospace applications... Read more