Silicone pioneer Momentive Performance Materials Inc. (MPM) is introducing new advanced silicone elastomer solutions at NPE2015. In addition to exhibiting a new, lowvolatile, self-lubricating liquid silicone rubber (LSR), MPM will highlight recent advancements in fiberreinforced LSR and anti-static heat cured rubber (HCR) materials within the company’s families of Silopren* and Silplus* elastomers. These product lines have been generating significant interest among component manufacturers seeking single material solutions to fulfill multiple design requirements. “These new products show Momentive’s continued commitment to innovation in the elastomers market. Also, these inventions will continue to help our customers solve the unique design challenges they face in the global marketplace,” said Tim Angle, MPM Elastomers commercial director for the Americas. Following is an overview of the recent innovations.
New, No Post Cure, Low-Volatile, Self-Lubricating LSR
MPM’s Silopren LSR 3376/50 features very low volatile levels without post-curing. It is engineered to help automotive manufacturers produce electrical connector seals that meet increasingly stringent safety specifications. Silopren LSR 3376/50 is the first product in MPM’s new low-volatile, self-lubricating LSR family. It has 3% oil content and contains less than 350 ppm of total volatiles. The material typically has a nominal hardness of 50 Shore A, a low compression set of 16% and it can be easily colored. This lowvolatile product was developed to meet new stringent global automotive specifications.
Fiber-Reinforced LSR
Applications requiring the features of silicone rubber and the strength of fiber reinforcement – such as wrist bands for wearable electronic devices – can obtain this combination of mechanical properties by utilizing MPM’s Silopren Matrix 70 fiber-reinforced LSR. Compared to standard LSR of the same hardness, fiber-reinforced LSR has demonstrated 30% higher torsion resistance and 100% higher modulus. These properties may save manufacturers the cost of incorporating a fabric layer into their products. Silopren Matrix LSR exhibits excellent UV resistance and can be easily colored to meet aesthetic needs. These products may also be considered for use in some healthcare applications such as wearable electronics or diaphragms pursuant to certain FDA regulations and ISO 10993.
Anti-Static HCR
Manufacturers using materials that employ carbon black fillers to remove static charge face obvious limits on color or translucence for their end-products. MPM’s Silplus 30 AS anti-static silicone rubber overcomes such limitations. The first in MPM’s Silplus anti-static product category, this heat cured rubber can reduce electrostatic charge and decrease dust pick-up, making it an excellent candidate to consider for use in keyboard covers, elastomeric keypads and buttons, soft-touch features on devices, and other consumer electronic applications. Sealing applications also can benefit from this HCR material. Its strength and good compression set properties produce flexible and reliable seals.