Although solid silicone rubber is easy to use, it can also be very dangerous when overturned. The most common problem is sticking the mold. If the mold is not preheated or the release agent is not applied properly, the product will stick directly to the mold and cannot be pulled off. The entire mold will be scrapped, and sometimes the surface of the mold will be torn off. The cost of repairing the mold is ten times more expensive than that of rubber material.

The second issue is edge curling. Uneven vulcanization temperature or rapid cooling can cause the edges of the product to curl up and the size to be scrapped directly, especially for thin sheet products where edge curling is almost a common problem.

The third one is bubbles and white spots. The rubber material is mixed with air or insufficiently vulcanized, resulting in a bumpy surface that customers can easily return at a glance. This type of defective product is particularly deadly on light colored and transparent parts, as no flaws can be hidden.

The fourth issue is dimensional instability. The shrinkage rate of silicone rubber itself is difficult to control, and there are significant differences between different formulations. If the margin is not calculated during the mold design stage, the size of the finished product after demolding will drift after a few days. If it is measured as qualified today, it will exceed the tolerance tomorrow.

The fifth one is color change. If the temperature is too high or the time is too long, the product will turn yellow and dark, especially for white and light colored parts. Even a slight yellowing can be seen, which directly affects the appearance grade.

In addition to the pitfalls in the process, special attention should also be paid to operational safety. Do not wear latex gloves or woven gloves to come into contact with the rubber material. Some vulcanizing agents and additives will be absorbed by the glove material, causing local polymerization and heat release, and the temperature will instantly soar to two or three hundred degrees Celsius, directly scalding hands. This is not a joke, it is a real work-related accident that has occurred. If the adhesive splashes into the eyes, do not rub it. Rinse with plenty of water and go to the hospital immediately. There are also storage requirements, and it is best to avoid light, dry, and refrigerate below 25 degrees Celsius. If the humidity is too high, the surface will form a water film that affects curing, and temperature fluctuations will directly affect the vulcanization effect. Every detail is a lesson learned from previous waste and accidents.

Regarding liquid silicone rubber, please refer to our website for details: IOTA Liquid Silicone Rubber