New multi-shot process for liquid silicone elastomers

Midland, Michigan -  A liquid silicone injection moulder has developed a multi-shot process in conjunction with Dow Corning’s QP1 silicone elastomers.

Silcotech North America’s processing system can simultaneously mould nine discrete shapes exhibiting a broad range of durometers, textures and colours using the QP1 materials. Such production is comparable in costs to a single-shot system, according to Dow Corning.

Silcotech is able to employ the full range of QP1 hardnesses in a single application, Dow Corning explains.

“Our close collaboration has delivered results for high-output moulding of intricate medical device designs,” notes Roger Hendrick, application engineer for Dow Corning Healthcare.

“Our customers can now cost-effectively produce finished, highly differentiated components in a single process that integrates materials with different durometers, chemical functional groups, surface textures, colours and other properties,” states Silcotech president Michael Maloney in a news release.

“The potential combinations for designers are virtually endless, and introduce a bold new chapter for competitive differentiation and success in today’s fast-growing global healthcare sector.”