When you work with liquid silicone rubber, you’re dealing with a material that needs to be curated to showcase its natural properties. LSR molding is finished when you can crosslink the polymer chains of the part you’re making. The final result is heat curated using platinum catalysts that bring you the part designed by the engineering team. This procedure is also known as vulcanizing, and it’s used because LSR requires the mixture of at least two compounds to get the designs you need at specific temperatures.

Why LSR molding is so popular

Plastic is used for many parts and appliances. It has some of the best physical properties of any plastic out there. LSR molding is the only way to go for many parts in the automotive and medical industries these days. The following are some of the most highlighted features by both sectors:

• Silicone can withstand a vast range of extreme conditions. Its purest form cannot be affected by temperatures below 50°C or 250°C under heat.
• Silicone is excellent for dealing with stable temperatures. Its proven resistance has made one too many chefs and manufacturers stop using metal trays for baking or curating anything and switch to silicone trays.
• Silicone has some of the best physiological and hypoallergenic properties of any manufactured material. Silicone never loses shape after cooling down or getting warm. It doesn’t break or bend, either. It also keeps neutrality even after being exposed to dirt and external contamination.
• Silicone can take the blow of any climate without breaking a sweat. It ages incredibly well even if exposed to the oxidant effects of oxygen. It has a proven resilience against UV lights, but extended exposure can dim its clarity.
• The silicone used for LSR molding has the best dielectric properties. The material is a fantastic insulator and blocks any electrical current, no matter how powerful the voltage might be.
• Pure silicone is clear as water, but the material doesn’t have a dense consistency allowing for easy pigmentation if necessary. This means you can get colored silicone pretty quickly.
• Silicone has the lowest rate o viscosity of every resin out there, making it the top choice for the most intricate designs, especially those that are small and complex.
• If you’re working with LSR molding, you can manage large volumes of parts in a single order. If the size is small, you can secure a large stock to avoid placing orders for a few years to keep costs low and profits high.
• The short cycle to get things done with silicone means you can ride your molds to hell and back, make the most of them, and have the best production rates possible.

How would LSR Molding Work?

The LSR molding tool is usually created using a CNC machining device. Since LSR molding is done with low costs materials, the mold doesn’t need to be made with expensive metals. But if your design calls for ejection pins, it’s best to go the safe route and invest in a costly mold. Silicone is poured cold, and the mold can be equipped with heather cartridges to heat the material and get your part done in a breath. Most molds are led with insulation plates to avoid sticking issues and to perform the vulcanizing process in a matter of moments. The holding time is minimal, and the ejection time is quick and efficient.