Elastomers are more commonly known as rubber products, and are used in a very wide range of industries. Their well-known flexibility makes these materials ideal for creating seals and other formable products that can be used in industrial settings, as well as medical settings. But with the many elastomer options out there, what makes one better than another?
Examples of Rubber Silicone Extrusions
Depending on the desired application, certain elastomeric materials will have properties more in line with what you need. Silicone rubber in particular is an excellent choice for numerous jobs because it continues to perform well even under extreme conditions. For example, in your personal life you may have noticed that a common rubber band will lose elasticity and become brittle in cold temperatures. This can lead the band to snap when it’s supposed to stretch. Silicone can withstand much lower temperatures than many other materials without compromising it’s flexibility. It also does well in high heat conditions. So for applications that involve high or low temperatures, or both, silicone is a good choice.
Similarly, silicone is flame retardant and can therefore be used in settings where flammability may be an issue. In the consumer electronics sector for example, you’ll want to use materials that will self extinguish quickly. This makes silicone ideal for sealing or joining components in computers and small appliances. It’s also great for cooking products like commercial ovens and food carts, and for the automotive industry where exposure to high temperatures is common.
And because of silicone’s permeability and durability, the material is also uniquely suited for the medical device industry. It is frequently used for medical implants, drug delivery systems, and wearable devices. It can stay securely in or on the body without breaking down, while at the same time allowing the appropriate substances to flow freely through the material.
The applications for silicone tubing and sealing are endless. For more information about the industries that benefit most from this product, visit our page about Rubber/Silicone Extrusions. We are a trusted manufacturer of silicone elastomers with an ISO 9001:2008 Certified facility. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about these products. Feel free to call us at 203-744-7265 for additional information.
Since 1966, we’ve been making the world’s best high precision extruded, molded, and fabricated elastomeric goods. Everyone at Vanguard is committed to the highest quality and to a customer service that is second to none. In summary, our days are pretty full. Between engineering manufacturing, quality testing, and fielding orders and quotes, we really don’t have that much in the way of free time!
That being said, we want to take a quick break to spend some time asking you, our readers and customers, some pertinent questions. We know the capabilities of our rubber and silicone seals, gaskets, O-rings, and tubing from A to Z, but it’s always nice to know how these devices are being used in actual, in-development projects and applications. There’s always the chance that there are new, exciting uses for our products that we haven’t anticipated. On that note, it’s your turn to let us know how and why you’re using your Vanguard products, or at least the sorts of products that Vanguard specializes in. We’d also love to hear if there is any way we can improve our products and services; if there is any way we can become a better and more responsive company. We’re relying on you, the everyday users of our products, to fill us in on what we don’t know! In the end, we never want to stop growing and innovating, and a key component of that is being open to solid, intelligent feedback from the people you serve.
So leave a comment here on the blog, send us an email, or just pick up the phone and give us a call. We’ll enjoy hearing from you!
Three decades ago, solar energy usage on a broad scale to power large sections of the population seemed to be a pipe dream. Based upon the technology of the day, it was assumed that “direct conversion” solar cells could never be efficient enough to generate enough power to make their use commercially feasible on a large scale, and their costs made wide scale use unrealistic. Further, solar reflector, collector, and steam turbine technologies of the time were not advanced enough to warrant consideration for use in multi-megawatt power plants.
Over the past several years, the technological landscape has changed considerably with respect to solar energy. Direct conversion solar cells are becoming less costly to the point where many individual residential installations make economic sense. Further, reflector and turbine technology has now advanced to the point where it is now feasible to build solar power plants that can generate greater than 250 megawatts of power. Industrial sites that utilize steam power are now using solar collectors to augment their traditional steam generation, thus reducing their dependence on traditional fossil fuels or electricity.
From a materials and applications standpoint, these installations present some daunting challenges. The most effective solar installations are located in areas of intense solar radiation and wide temperature swings. Take for instance the largest solar installations in Asia and in Australia. These are located in areas where the average solar radiation can approach 7 kWh/square meter/day and the temperature can go from close to freezing all the way to well over 100F. Any material that is used in these systems must not only hold up to long periods of high heat and radiation without degradation, but must also be adaptable to the low temperature exposure as well. Further, the weather environment in these installation locations can be among the most brutal on earth, with weather phenomenons such as brutal sandstorms or torrential tropical rains.
To that effect, Vanguard Products has provided solar energy developers with high-quality silicone materials that can withstand the intense heat, wind, dust-storms, and UV radiation over the long haul, while providing consistent reliable sealing and fluid transport. Our ability to tailor our custom silicone extrusions, moldings and tubing from both the design and materials standpoint has made us a “supplier of choice” for these types of applications. Further, we are able to provide long term durable options with respect to mounting and installation, such as high performance pressure sensitive adhesive mounting. We are looking forward to continuing and growing our supply to this industry in the future in support of the global efforts to increase the use of renewable energy.
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