Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) prototyping is a process used to create prototypes or small batches of parts made from liquid silicone rubber, a versatile and durable material. LSR is a type of silicone polymer that can be injected into molds when in its liquid form, which then cures into a flexible, heat-resistant, and biocompatible rubber material.
Here’s a breakdown of how the process typically works:
Material: LSR comes in two parts (often labeled Part A and Part B), which are mixed together before injection. The mixture is then heated and injected into a mold cavity.
Molding: The liquid silicone rubber is injected into a mold (usually made of metal), where it cures at high temperatures. The mold defines the shape of the part.
Prototyping: LSR is often used for prototypes due to its ability to replicate the final product’s mechanical properties, which can be crucial for testing and refinement. Prototyping with LSR is especially common in industries like automotive, medical devices, electronics, and consumer products because of its flexibility, durability, and heat resistance.
Curing: After injection, the silicone undergoes a curing process, either through heat (in the case of a heat-cured mold) or in some cases, room temperature vulcanization (RTV). This ensures that the rubber sets into a strong and stable form.
Advantages: The material is biocompatible, highly durable, flexible, resistant to extreme temperatures, and non-toxic. LSR prototyping is often used when parts need to endure harsh environments or require tight tolerances.
This method is often used for rapid prototyping or small-batch production because it can quickly create accurate and functional parts without the need for the expensive tooling required for mass production.