Silicone rubber is versatile. How thick and how pliable a component is depends on its design and the process by which it is made. Liquid silicone injection molding components can be made to fit nearly any template design. They are strong and absorb impacts well. As a result, they are commonly used for buffering shock waves and sound waves in electronics and machines. While often unseen and part of a larger assembly unit, the quality and fit of these pieces is critical to the lifespan of the equipment. Shock resistance is more manageable using liquid silicone injection molding parts, than with plastic materials or with rubber parts made through compression molding.
Types of Protection
Protection from shock damage comes in many different forms and shapes. Created through the liquid silicone injection molding process, delicate parts are buffered by bumpers, dampers and isolators. Components can be mounted on one side, or create a sandwich effect or a cap which protects two or more sides of a device. Another option is to place them as cushions between two objects.
Media and Communications
From DVD players to mobile military computers, devices used in everyday operations are under constant danger of being bumped and dislodged by contact and vibration. Sometimes it’s their interior parts that can become cracked or bent due to friction or intense movement. Silicone rubber components can provide protection for media and communications devices on both the inside and outside through shock resistance. These layers are put on top of metal parts, wiring and plastic pieces in a wide range of products.
Industrial Machinery
Silicone rubber dampers absorb shock and vibrations from energy and elements otherwise surrounding industrial equipment. O-rings, for example, can be placed around a screw to prevent it from loosening and backing out of its hole due to constant vibrations. Heavy machinery that continually punches holes or strikes surfaces would likely damage the components of the machine itself without a damper present. Assembly equipment is another example of parts that could be easily damaged with friction and contact without the use of molded rubber components as a buffer.
Military Equipment Engines
When it comes to propulsion engines, generators and military vehicles, silicone rubber shock absorbers need to fit parts within a very tight tolerance. If the component is too large, it will slip off with repeated impacts. If it is too small, it will be difficult to install or won’t have the desired absorption effects. When military rubber components are manufactured properly, the vibration is minimized and shock isolated. The federal government’s International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) guidelines are in place in part to ensure that parts and equipment manufactured for military use meet strict standards. It’s one reason that it’s important to use silicone rubber manufacturers who are ITAR compliant and can meet the rigors of quality and precision.
The liquid silicone injection molding process can be used to create an almost endless number of components. At SiTECH, we are an ITAR certified manufacturer that can create silicone molding parts to meet your needs for shock resistance. To learn how, contact our office at (757) 887-8488.
