Silicone Parts and Seals

• Products
• Silicone Parts and Seals

One Versatile Material

Innovative Silicone Formulations

Apple Rubber has pioneered the development and production of high-performance silicone components for diverse industrial applications, including medical devices, automotive systems, aerospace engineering, electronic assemblies, and beyond. Our expertise spans from basic sealing solutions to intricate silicone geometries, leveraging cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to consistently deliver silicone parts that meet stringent quality and performance criteria.

Types of Silicone

• General Purpose Silicone (VMQ)
  • Chemical composition: Polydimethylsiloxane
  • Key properties: Excellent thermal stability, good electrical insulation, low compression set
• Low Temperature Silicone (PVMQ)
  • Chemical composition: Polymethylphenylsiloxane with phenyl groups
  • Key properties: Enhanced low-temperature flexibility, improved solvent resistance
• Oil Resistant Silicone (FVMQ)
  • Chemical composition: Fluorovinylmethylsiloxane (Fluorosilicone polymer)
  • Key properties: Superior resistance to hydrocarbon fluids, improved chemical resistance
• Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
  • Chemical composition: Polydimethylsiloxane (Two-component platinum-catalyzed silicone)
  • Key properties: Low viscosity, rapid cure rates, excellent biocompatibility

Manufacturing Methodologies

Silicone elastomers are processed through various techniques depending on their molecular weight and viscosity:

• High Consistency (HC) silicone: Utilized in compression molding, transfer molding, and rubber injection molding
• Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR): Primarily processed via injection molding

Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) Technology

LSR represents a pinnacle in silicone material science. Through precise formulation and additive incorporation, LSR can be engineered to exhibit a wide range of properties:

• Electrical characteristics: From highly insulative to electrically conductive
• Thermal performance: Maintains flexibility from cryogenic temperatures (-76°F) to extreme heat (400°F)
• Optical properties: Achievable transparency levels from translucent to opaque, with custom colorization options including photoluminescent variants
• Biological interactions: Fungal resistance coupled with biocompatibility and non-toxicity

The versatility of silicone rubber enables its application in environments where conventional elastomers fail, from sterile medical facilities to harsh industrial settings.

Advanced Molding Capabilities

To meet the growing demand for complex silicone components, Apple Rubber has invested in state-of-the-art molding technologies:

• Injection Molding: Ideal for high-volume production of intricate parts with tight tolerances
• Compression Molding: Suitable for larger components and specialized formulations

Our advanced processes ensure consistent production of even the most geometrically complex silicone parts and seals.

Key Performance Attributes of Silicone Elastomers

Thermal Resilience

• Operational temperature range: -155°F to 400°F
• Minimal property degradation across temperature extremes

Mechanical Characteristics

• Elongation at break: Typically 300-900%
• Flexibility: Excellent low-temperature performance
• Hardness range: 10-80 Shore A

Environmental Durability

• UV resistance: Minimal degradation under prolonged exposure
• Ozone resistance: Excellent
• Moisture and steam resistance: Superior to many organic elastomers

Chemical Compatibility

• Resistant to: Water, dilute acids, oxidizing agents, ammonia, isopropyl alcohol
• Moderate resistance to hydrocarbon fluids
• Incompatible with: Concentrated acids, strong alkaline solutions, and most organic solvents

Regulatory Compliance

• ASTM D2000, AMS, MIL-R standards
• Food Grade – FDA 21 CFR 177.2600
• Medical Grade – USP Class VI and ISO 10993
• UL Listing – JMLU2, UL 157, UL 94

For detailed specifications, custom formulations, or application-specific inquiries regarding our silicone components, please contact Apple Rubber's materials engineering team.