Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is finding increasing application in the automotive and medical industry due to its flexibility and excellent characteristics of stability, insulation and self-lubrication, etc. ARBURG and Wacker joined forces at Shanghai new international expo centre from August 13 to 16 to demonstrate all aspects of LSR injection technology in a combined project, including LSR material mixing, feedstock, LSR mould, injection moulding and demoulding. Visitors were able to learn more about the complete LSR injection moulding process during a seminar.
 
The exhibited machine was an ARBURG ALLROUNDER 320 C injection moulding machine with a clamping force of 500 KN. This machine features a special 20 mm diameter screw for LSR processing, a check valve with low-return flow characteristics for precise injection volumes, a highly wear-resistant cylinder and SELOGICA control system. Installed was a 16-cavity mould which produced an LSR O-ring seal in 22 seconds. Wacker provided the LSR material ELASTOSIL LR 3844/50. The advantages of this material, compared to elastomer, are improved airtightness, higher temperature resistance, improved anti-aging and anti-corrosive characteristics, as well as being non-toxic and thus more environmentally friendly.
 
ARBURG injection moulding machines are now widely used in the automotive industry. In the field of LSR injection, ARBURG was the first manufacturer to be engaged in research and development of LSR injection technology and has therefore gained valuable experience in LSR processing, including mould design and injection technology, etc. Besides LSR injection moulding machines, ARBURG is also engaged in other specialised fields of application such as multi-component injection moulding, powder injection moulding, encapsulation of inserts etc. ARBURG, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary in the serial production of injection moulding machines for the plastics industry, assumes a leading position in the world market.