Dow Corning Corp. was busy during the ACS Rubber Division's International Elastomer Conference and Expo in Cleveland, introducing new products and technologies across its various platforms.
The Midland, Mich.-based silicones material supplier touted two new lines in its fluoro-liquid silicone offerings, introduced a high-consistency gray silicone rubber and showcased its new Xiameter-brand RBL 9200 Series liquid silicone rubbers.
On the fluoro-liquid silicone side, Dow Corning added the Silastic FL 60-9021 F-LSR and Silastic FL 70-9201 F-LSR lines. The 60- and 70-durometer LSRs are added to the 30- and 40-durometer materials already offered in the material family.
The higher durometers of the new materials will allow the firm to sell to potential applications where that hardness is required, according to Gabriel Knee, project manager for high flex fatigue lines. He spoke about Dow Corning's offerings at the expo.
The 60- and 70-durometer Silastic materials offer a nontacky surface, provide excellent resistance against fuels and oils, and can be used for intricate parts, the company said. The FL 60-9201 can be used for diaphragms and membranes, while FL 70-9201 is aimed at O-ring applications.
"The most demand is in aerospace and automotive, and it could be used in oil and gas—anywhere where chemical resistance is required," Knee said.
Dow Corning is producing the lines at a factory in Germany. They are already on the market so the supplier can make and send samples. He said thus far only a limited number of customers have been able to sample it, but the feedback has been positive.