Everyone knows Neil Armstrong was the first to step on the moon, but did you know that he had silicone soles on his boots? The study and development of silicone has lasted almost 200 years now, and ever since 1970, it has come in two main forms.
Gum Stock Silicone (or High Consistency Rubber)
The traditional form of silicone, gum stock silicone, has a firmer consistency like a putty. In fact, it was in 1949 that a GE engineer named James Wright developed one of the fastest selling toys in history. This silicone product was called Silly Putty. Gum stock silicone, however, is a one-part system with a shelf life.
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
Liquid silicone, on the other hand, was the inevitable result of the constant improvements in technology. It’s a two-part system with a consistency like petroleum jelly that is mixed as it is used, making it more affordable and customizable. In fact, manufacturers like Si-Tech typically offer liquid injection molding because of its distinct advantages.
Which Silicone Form is Best?
As you’ve most likely guessed, the superior option is liquid silicone. Its affordability and customizability make it a key component in many different industries. In fact, it has become so popular that you will probably even handle it more than once before you finish your day today.
Why Liquid Silicone?
The advantages of liquid silicone include customization, durability, and cost.
Customization – Liquid Silicone Injection has made the process of customization much easier compared to gum stock silicone. Because liquid silicone is injected in a two-part molding system, customization is simple.
Durability – Liquid silicone uses a cross-link bond, making products more durable than gum stock. Products such as rubber keypads undergo significant use, but liquid silicone keypads have held up much better over time.
Cost Effective – Liquid silicone is a far less labor-intensive process, which means it is also less expensive. The main difference is that the cure time for liquid silicone is about 1/3 less than gum stock.
At SiTECH, we only use liquid silicone for all of our products, allowing us to be more dependable in duplicating our processes. We have made silicone products for many industries, and we would love to help you with your next product. Contact us today!
