Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • International Elastomer Show
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • ITEC
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Starting young: Rubber Division targets high schools to fill talent gap
      ChemSpec enjoying busy 2019 with new agreements, division
      view gallery
      18 photos
      Rubber Division honors leaders, students at Business and Awards Meeting
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Rubber Division wraps up 2019 International Elastomer Conference
    • Column: EV hype or reality? Follow the money
      How General Motors puts batteries through their paces
      As e-commerce grows, companies seek best ways to get products to customers
      ContiTech acquires CRP's belt kits program
    • Yokohama releases new E-3 radial tires for scrapers
      Goodyear to roll out online tire retail program in Europe
      Cooper recalls U.K.-made Avon motorcycle tires
      Continental app helps farmers calculate ag tire pressure, load
    • Wacky World of Rubber: Hunting for rubber ducks on cruise ships
      Trelleborg completes Tritec Seal acquisition
      John Grasmeyer focuses on education for NIBA
      Avon marks 2019 as 'transformational' year
    • Hexpol names Ken Bloom president for North America
      LSR technology shines at K 2019
      TPC plant explosion's impact on butadiene market still being assessed
      Monolith appoints chief technology officer
    • Hexpol names Ken Bloom president for North America
      Monolith appoints chief technology officer
      Delta-Energy Group selects new CEO
      John Grasmeyer focuses on education for NIBA
    • As tool makers press to bring back tariffs, other manufacturers push back
      AMBA files formal request to bring back tariffs on Chinese molds
      Auto parts makers pay $23 million to settle price fixing case
      USTMA aims to raise scrap tire recovery rate
    • Goodyear finds traction with soybean oil
      Cassioli expands with sales office in Alabama
      Rodolfo Comerio looks forward as it celebrates past
      Tire Industry Project launches platform for sustainable natural rubber
    • Column: EV hype or reality? Follow the money
      Column: Lessons from Best Places to Work
      Editorial: Cooper Standard a sign of changing automotive times
      Editorial: Hose industry makes big strides in safety focus
    • SSBR, bio-sourced plasticizer for conveyor belt use
      EPDM solution for automotive dense weatherstrip
      High heat resistant EPDMs for auto hose uses
      Rubber standards in today’s world economy
    • Sponsor Content
      Rubber in Transportation and Tire
      Sponsor Content
      Rubber in Wire and Cable
      Sponsor Content
      Process Control Systems Ensure Consistency and Lot Traceability While Protecting Proprietary Formulations
      Sponsor Content
      Reasons for Using Performance Additives
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • LSR technology shines at K 2019
      New Products: Master Bond rolls out thermally conductive epoxy sealant
      New Products: Lanxess introduces vulcanization accelerator
      Covestro's CO2 technology earns Germany's President's prize
    • Wacky World of Rubber: Hunting for rubber ducks on cruise ships
      Wacky World of Rubber: Floating ideas for the future of mobility
      Wacky World of Rubber: Goodyear, rubber industry make parade part of Thanksgiving traditions
      Wacky World of Rubber: How to make your own Halloween mask
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Column: EV hype or reality? Follow the money
      How General Motors puts batteries through their paces
      As e-commerce grows, companies seek best ways to get products to customers
      ContiTech acquires CRP's belt kits program
    • LSR technology shines at K 2019
      Starting young: Rubber Division targets high schools to fill talent gap
      Column: Lessons from Best Places to Work
      New Products: LSR 3D printing technology spotlighted at K Show
    • Natural rubber producers 'extremely concerned' over disease outbreak
      Starting young: Rubber Division targets high schools to fill talent gap
      Kent Elastomer promotes two
      Corrie MacColl details landmark collaboration in Cameroon
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data Store
    • Digital Issue
    • White Papers
  • Events
    • RPN Conferences
    • RPN Live
    • Events Calendar
    • Submit an Event
    • Webinars
    • Past Events
  • Advertise
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 21, 2014 02:00 AM

LSR more prevalent in sealing for life science sector

Chris Sweeney
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    NORTHBOROUGH, Mass.—Liquid silicone rubber has its place in sealing, especially in the life science industry and medical applications.

    LSR's ability to be formed into complex geometries, fast cycle times through injection molding and its closed-loop system are primarily why it is becoming more prevalent in sealing applications for the life science industries, said Jim Hederman, senior product manager for Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, a business unit of Trelleborg A.B.

    The material is injection molded, which Hederman said produces cycle times of about 30 to 45 seconds while compression molding cycle times can range from three to five minutes.

    “It's cost effective in the respect that you have very short cycle times and the level of automation that can be used,” he said.

    “The nature of LSR combined with injection molding makes it attractive from a cost standpoint.”

    LSR also is ideal for automated process because the material can be injected right from the package into the mold without any handling.

    Hederman said Trelleborg's LSR processing machines in Northborough are fully automated, with no operator handling the material until it is completely cured.

    No handling means lower risk of contamination, which is attractive to the life science industry, as Food and Drug Administration cleanliness requirements only are getting stricter, Hederman said.

    He said LSR is used in other sealing industries—medical, biotech and pharmaceutical—but the life science market is the widest application of the material.

    Common products for the material include O-rings, bellows, diaphragms and pinch valves.

    “It transcends itself,” Hederman said. “More food preparation devices are being made from silicone because it can withstand the temperatures. You see it in food and beverage, automotive and baby care. It really transcends many, many markets because of the diverse nature silicone can provide and the applications that it can be used in.”

    Switching from a compression molding or transfer molding process to LSR and injection molding isn't simple. Hederman said manufacturers looking to break into the LSR market need to make sure they have the right kind of expertise because of LSR's different properties.

    “From a manufacturer's standpoint, silicone gives the appearance that you can take your experience from compression molding or transfer molding via press or tools and start making silicone parts,” the executive said.

    “It's not that simple. It's a very complex operation. We've seen so many people start up with liquid injection molding and silicone, and then very quickly back out of the business.”

    In addition to Northborough, Trelleborg operates LSR facilities in Stein Am Rhein, Switzerland; Pernik, Bulgaria; and Madrid, Spain.

    The facilities combine to serve the life sciences, automotive, baby care and industrial industries worldwide.

    Related Articles
    Medical top growth industry for LSR
    Dow Corning expands Silastic offerings
    Wacker introduces new LSR for gaskets
    Dow Corning opens health care application center in Europe
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News Europe
    • Plastics News China
    • Plastics & Rubber World
    • LSR World
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Autoweek
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2019. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • International Elastomer Show
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • ITEC
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Data Store
      • Digital Issue
      • White Papers
    • Events
      • RPN Conferences
      • RPN Live
      • Events Calendar
      • Submit an Event
      • Webinars
      • Past Events
    • Advertise