Wacker shows automotive grade silicones

By David Eldridge, ERJ staff (PRW)

Duesseldorf, Germany -- Wacker Chemie is showing 15 new products on its stand (Hall 6 A10) at K 2010, based on its expertise with silicone materials.

The German company has a bigger stand than at K 2007, said Axel Schmidt, head of the company's silicones division.

Among the new products presented are three for automotive applications.

Its Elastosil R 101 is a silicone elastomer developed for engine mounts. Wacker said its mechanical and dynamic properties remain constant over a wide temperature range. Its working temperature range goes from -50 °C up to 180 °C, which can be improved further with heat stabilisers.

With a Shore A hardness of 25-65, the material has a high rebound resilience that comes close to that of a metallic spring. This elasticity remains constant over the lifetime of the engine, said Wacker.

The materials has been developed for optimised damping behavior and excellent long term fatigue resistance.

Two other silicone elastomers, Elastosil LR 3092/65 and Elastosil R plus 4060, have a very low compression set and high heat resistance and can be used as sealing materials, for example in intercoolers.

Elastosil LR 3092/65 is a rapid-cure, two-component liquid silicone rubber that can withstand temperatures of up to 220 °C. Elastosil R plus 4060 is a one-component solid silicone rubber that has the same basic properties, but with a higher temperature limit. Both can be injection moulded.

From Plastics news (A Crain publication)

Press release listing from Wacker