Silicone Extrusions
Silicone extrusions serve many industries, from food processing to aerospace. They are known for their versatility, durability, and reliability. In settings where other materials fail, silicone extrusions consistently perform, making them a reliable choice for challenging applications.
Silicone extrusions are long, flexible shapes made from silicone rubber. They are made through a process called extrusion, where prepared silicone material is pushed through a specially designed die, which is an opening that shapes the final profile. This process creates continuous lengths with a consistent cross-section, whether it’s a solid cord, a hollow tube, or a custom gasket. After extrusion, the silicone is cured through a process called vulcanization. This important step locks in the shape and improves its mechanical properties, such as flexibility, heat resistance, and tensile strength.
How the Process Works at Jehbco
- Material Preparation (Milling):
The process starts with preparing the raw silicone compound. At Jehbco, we add catalysts, curing agents, and pigments to meet specific customer needs. This milling process turns blocks of raw rubber into sheets of rubber with the necessary additives. Jehbco provide silicone in many colours and hardness levels, including hospital-grade and general-purpose options, allowing customers to choose the right fit for their application. - Extrusion:
The pre- prepared silicone is fed into an extruder, which is a machine that uses a rotating screw mechanism to push the material forward. As the silicone travels through the machine, it is forced through a precisely engineered die (There are two dies — one to craft the outer diameter and one to craft the inner diameter) creating the desired profile under closely monitored pressure and temperature. The result is a continuous, uniform extrusion, ready for curing. - Curing (Vulcanization):
The extruded profile then passes through a curing unit, typically a heated chamber or oven. This step cross-links the silicone molecules, setting the shape and enhancing strength, elasticity, and heat resistance. At Jehbco, the extruded rubber goes through a HAV (Hot Air Vulcanization) Belt, followed by additional curing in a high-temperature oven as needed. - Post-Processing & Quality Control:
Once cured from HAV belts, the extrusions pass through a cutting machine located at the end of the HAV belts, when required to cut the extruded profiles in to desired lengths. We conduct comprehensive quality checks at this stage — including profile verification, dimension measurement, surface inspection, bubble detection, and hardness testing to ensure every product meets strict quality standards. - Finishing & Packing:
Once the extruded parts are cooled, they are either packed as-is or joined and assembled to suit specific customer needs. Some of the hospital grade and general-purpose extrusions will undergo further vulcanization process in the dedicated ovens which will further enhance their stability.
Types of Silicone Extrusions
- Solid Silicone Extrusions:
Dense and robust, ideal for applications requiring high strength and minimal compression.
- Sponge/Foam Silicone Extrusions:
Lightweight and compressible, perfect for cushioning, vibration dampening, and soft sealing.
- Platinum-Cured Silicone Extrusions:
Offer superior purity and mechanical performance, making them ideal for medical, pharmaceutical, and potable water applications.
The field of silicone extrusion continues to evolve with cutting-edge innovations:
- Fluoro silicone Extrusions for enhanced chemical resistance
- Conductive Silicone for EMI/RFI shielding
- Reinforced Profiles for structural and high-strength applications
As industries push for sustainable and high-performance materials, silicone extrusions are proving to be an essential component in modern engineering solutions.