Category: Resources

Dow’s portfolio of liquid silicone rubber includes specific LSR formulations, marketed under the SILASTIC™, DOWSIL™, XIAMETER™ and EVOLV3D™ brands. Injection-molding grades, coating grades, a 3D printing grade, electrical grades and optical grades are available, as are LSR color masterbatches.

DOWSIL™ Moldable Optical Silicones provide unprecedented design freedom and performance for challenging applications such as automotive, general, professional and consumer lighting and outdoor displays.

At a time when technical support is becoming tough to find, it’s good to know that 3M maintains state-of-the-art testing and analytical labs, pilot manufacturing facilities, and most important, an experienced staff of application engineers.

For brighter, more energy-efficient, more unique and longer-lasting lighting systems, we highly recommend you take a look at Dow’s innovative, high-performance silicone materials for protection and assembly and secondary optics.

This product comparison guide is designed to address the basic considerations when formulating a fluoroelastomer compound: “What is the environment?” “What is the application?” “What is the manufacturing process?” and “What is the part profile?”  The answers to these questions will help narrow your search for a fluoroelastomer  that can deliver optimal performance.

This manual provides general guidelines that can be used as reference in compounding fluoroelastomers. In addition to data regarding the physical properties yielded by various compounds and processes, the effects of potential contamination and the general requirements of certain types of applications (such as O-rings, molded goods, and extruded compounds) are also discussed. For more specific guidelines for the materials used in specific applications, refer to the 3M™ Dyneon™ Fluoroelastomer Recipe Book.

Are you post-curing your silicone out of habit or necessity? Advances in silicone elastomer technology enable some manufacturers to eliminate this costly step for the first time. For example, a new liquid silicone rubber is the only one that exhibits the same physical profile before and after post-curing. This could potentially make post-curing unnecessary even in industries with strict regulatory requirements.

This comparative study between Millathane® XP-9075 and Millathane® 66 Premilled, along with a modified XP-9075 formulation for improved compression set show that Millathane® XP-9075 provides an excellent combination of oil and heat resistance, plus water and humidity resistance.

The 3M™ Dyneon™ Fluoroelastomers Compound Recipes booklet is a guide for evaluating, processing, and troubleshooting FKM with certain 3M products.

The first step in developing an FKM part is determining a formulation to withstand the part’s future environment. The part’s environment will dictate the physical properties required for your rubber compound. This chart is an excellent starting point for developing that initial formulation.