What is Silicone Rubber?

Silicone rubber is a semi organic synthetic made from sand and alkyl or aryl halides. While silicone rubber looks and feels like organic rubber, it has a completely different type of structure than other elastomers. Silicone rubber consists of a chain of silicon and oxygen atoms rather than carbon and hydrogen atoms as found in other types of rubber. This structure gives silicone rubber a very flexible but weak chain. Silicone’s structure also provides a material that has very small change in dynamic characteristics over a wide range of temperature. Silicone has a typical service temperature range between –150° F and +450° F.

ADVANTAGES:

Silicone has a broad temperature range and is generally odorless / nontoxic. Silicone offers excellent resistance to high temperatures, ozone, oxygen, UV light, moisture, and fungus. Silicone also has excellent vibration damping and maintains its dielectric strength. Silicone has low compression set and offers good fatigue resistance, flex resistance, and elongation.

LIMITATIONS:

Silicone has poor tensile, tear and abrasion resistance, and is not recommended for use in dynamic applications. Although high strength silicones have been developed, tear and tensile strengths remain relatively low. Silicone has poor resistance to most concentrated solvents, concentrated acids, concentrated alkalines, oils, fuels, hydrocarbons, and steam.

COMMON APPLICATIONS:

Silicone is recommended for applications subjected to extremely high or low temperatures. Silicone is often used in industrial applications due to its long service life. Common applications include gaskets, seals, o-rings, and bellows.

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ELBEX Corporation is committed to providing top-notch support to its customers during the design and manufacturing process. We understand that the success of our clients is directly tied to our ability to provide them with the highest level of service possible. Therefore, we work closely with our customers to ensure that their needs are fully understood and met. Our team of experts has a wealth of experience in the industry, which enables us to provide valuable insights and advice to our clients.

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ELBEX Corporation is an ISO Certified leader in rubber and silicone extrusions manufacturing. Our capabilities include the ability to produce a wide range of profile designs in both dense and sponge materials.

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2024 and Beyond: ELBEX’s Vision for the Future of Rubber Extrusion

27 Mar, 2024

We live in a time of rapid change — and this is just as true of the rubber extrusion industry as it is in other areas. At ELBEX, we believe a forward-thinking approach is vital to stay at the forefront of rubber extrusion. Emerging Trends in Rubber Extrusion in 2024 As 2024 begins, several trends have stood out in the rubber extrusion industry. These include advancements in eco-friendly materials, improvements in manufacturing automation, and increased demand for rubber extrusions from emerging markets. At ELBEX, ongoing investments in research and development have proven essential for helping us take advantage of these trends so we can better serve our clients. Incorporating Advanced Technology Manufacturing processes are constantly improving thanks to new technologies such as AI and the internet of things. These technologies enable us to automate certain processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality control, and customization capabilities. Sustainability: A Core Focus for ELBEX in 2024 Energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials have long been a focus at ELBEX, but they are even more important in 2024. Current sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled materials and a focus on implementing energy-efficient processes that minimize waste. Expanding into New Markets and Applications New industries and markets represent a major area of growth for rubber extrusion products. Areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will all rely on rubber extrusions, and as such, we must continually research and develop new profiles that will work with these applications. ELBEX’s Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction In the midst of these trends, ELBEX is committed to maintaining high quality standards, as demonstrated through our ISO certification. By taking advantage of the latest industry trends, we can further improve results for our clients and drive meaningful outcomes. With a proactive approach to embracing current and future trends in the world of rubber extrusions, ELBEX is positioned to continue shaping the future of the industry in 2024 and beyond.

Maximizing Efficiency, Minimizing Waste: ELBEX’s Low Scrap Success in Rubber Extrusion

19 Mar, 2024

One of the most important indicators of a manufacturer’s efficiency is its scrap rate — or the percentage of defective products that need to be thrown away or recycled. At ELBEX, we are proud to consistently achieve low scrap percentages with each job we undertake. The Importance of Low Scrap in Manufacturing In manufacturing, scrap can have significant environmental and economic impacts. Unusable products must be recycled and replaced, which means more time, energy, and materials used in the manufacturing process. This can drive up costs for both the business and its clients, while also creating a larger carbon footprint. ELBEX’s Approach to Minimizing Scrap At ELBEX, we implement a wide variety of steps to minimize scrap, starting by using high-quality materials that are less likely to result in defects. We combine this with the latest in rubber extrusion technology and processes and a skilled team that draws on decades of industry experience. Strong quality control systems help us reduce waste at every step of the process. Impact on Quality and Cost-Effectiveness These practices, which help us achieve a low scrap percentage, ultimately result in higher quality products and less waste. This creates cost savings for everyone involved, as production runs can be completed faster and with less material. Reduced energy consumption also means less of an impact on the environment. ELBEX’s Ongoing Commitment to Improvement ELBEX is committed to continuous improvement, including finding new ways to further reduce scrap and enhance efficiency. By embracing new technology and sourcing the highest-quality materials, we can become even more sustainable and cost-efficient. At ELBEX, we believe our low scrap percentage is an indicator of our efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility. While there is always room for improvement, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how it can help you, too.