Silicone molding

Overview

Silicone processes span platinum-cured LSR injected into heated molds, room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) casting into urethane or composite soft tools, and compression molding for gaskets. Each path balances tooling cost, surface detail, and mechanical properties.

When to choose

• Elastic sealing, damping, or biocompatibility requirements across wide temperature swings.
• Medical or food-contact grades where platinum-cure chemistry and ISO 10993 alignment matter.
• Bridge quantities before hardened steel thermoplastic tooling or urethane casting fills the gap.
• Thin membranes, keypad webs, and intricate shutoffs that exploit silicone stretch.

Design rules

• Specify Shore hardness and tear strength targets—silicone stiffness spans an enormous range.
• Avoid sharp internal corners; generous radii reduce tearing during demolding.
• Plan gate vestiges and flash lines—cosmetic surfaces should be mapped relative to tool splits.
• Validate shrink models separately from plastics; silicone behaves unlike TP melts.

FAQ

• LSR vs RTV: LSR suits higher volumes and tighter repeats; RTV suits prototyping and low volumes.
• Can silicone replace TPU? Sometimes—for temperature or chemical resistance—but mechanical damping differs.
• Does Uretyco compare silicone vs injection molding? Yes—based on quantity, tolerance, and cosmetic goals.