Articles posted by Jehbco Silicones

At Jehbco Silicones we strive to be up-to-date and compliant with international quality standards to meet our customer’s expectations. In order to adhere to regulations that are stipulated by the European Union Jehbco needs to evaluate and control our raw materials ensuring they comply with the REACH standard.

Chemical risk regulation in factories

REACH is an acronym for “Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals”. It is a standard created by the European Union that drives the creation of more information about the risks of chemical exposure. The principal objective of the standard is to guarantee a high level of protection for human health and the environment.
In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify the hazards associated with the chemicals they use or manufacture and notify the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of these hazards. If there is an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment from the manufacture, use or commercialization of substances at a community scale, restrictions will be established in relation to their use.

Only registered substances to the ECHA can be commercialized in the European Union including chemicals used in industrial processes and those used on a daily basis, such as cleaning products, paint, etc. This is why the standard affects not only producers of goods but also importers of goods outside of the European Union. This includes companies who produce goods or services where chemicals are being used indirectly and are not part of the final product, such as those that are used in the manufacturing process at Jehbco.
The process to comply with ECHA and the REACH standard involves the compilation of technical documentation and especially the characterization of the substance. Broadly, the characterisation of a substance is where a material’s structures and properties are proved and measured. Through this process companies gain more knowledge about the properties and effects of chemicals, ensuring that risks are adequately controlled and that hazardous materials can be progressively replaced by better alternative technologies.
REACH implementation imposes greater responsibility as it encourages companies to communicate the best and safest way to handle chemicals. Just in New South Wales Safe work NSW has reported that there have been more than 6500 injuries in workplaces as a result of poor handling or storage of hazardous chemicals. Eight people died and more than 250 are now permanently disabled in the last 4 years.

References

1. European Chemicals Agency ‘Understanding REACH’, https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/understanding-reach
2. SafeWork NSW, Hazardous chemicals, https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/hazardous-chemical
3. European Chemicals Agency ‘REACH, CLP and biocides for non-EU companies’ https://echa.europa.eu/support/getting-started/enquiry-on-reach-and-clp

Rubber compounds, such as silicone, can be formulated to have a wide variety of physical characteristics. The ASTM D2000 Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications, often shortened to ASTM D2000, is a standardised method used to specify the required physical properties of a vulcanised rubber product.

The ASTM D2000 classification takes the form of an alpha-numeric call out, an example of which can be seen below.

ASTM D2000 M5 GE 706 A19 B37 EO16 Z1

The table below contains the different components of the callout using the callout above as an example, along with a brief explanation of each component.

Table 1: Outline of ASTM D2000 Callout Components

Table 2: Naming Convention of Standard Suffixes

The ASTM D2000 Rubber classification can even be used to differentiate different silicone compounds. For example, the line callout below can be used to describe a hard, high tear strength silicone grade

ASTM D2000 M2 FC 709

Alternatively, the line callout below can be used to describe a soft, high temperature resistant silicone grade.

ASTM D2000 M3 GE 310 A12

The ASTM D2000 rubber classification system is an extremely robust and efficient method of classifying vulcanised rubber materials such as silicone. Jehbco can manufacture compounds to meet most silicone-based ASTM D2000 line callouts.

Please contact our sales team if you would like more information.

What is Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 is an industry renaissance revolutionising manufacturing, known as the fourth industrial revolution. 

It represents a shift within industry toward smarter, digitised systems allows for more control within production lines1. This control is enabled by building smarter communication systems between machines, utilising Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (AI) from data collection within the product line en masse. Analysing and systematically extracting data from the product line in quantities large enough to require specialist data processing and handling is Big Data within the product line1 needing machine learning for data processing.

Industry 4.0 has a heritage defined in revolution from^[1]:

• Industry 1.0 – Mechanisation, steam and water power.
• Industry 2.0 – Mass production and electricity.
• Industry 3.0 – Electronic and IT systems automation.
• Industry 4.0 – Cyber physical systems.

Why is it important?

Using IoT and AI in communication processes within manufacturing; calculations can be made quickly and efficiently guaranteeing responses within specified time constraints, otherwise defined as “real time”, with continuous machine operation monitoring^[2]. This can speed up processes and filter superfluous data ensuring cumbersome processes within the product line are kept to a minimum. 

Real time systems allow continuous monitoring and adjustments, increasing speed and matching customer demands in an economy where transactions are digital and increasingly automated, defining a real-time economy. This continual digitisation of business transactions allows adjustment to the supply chain in real time, when needed, for both manufacturer and client. Costs, company alignment and product value, all benefit from real time actioning and digitisation of transactions.

By digitisation and digitally quantifying process within the supply chain, efficiency within the processes allow human power in manufacturing to shift. This allows human power to provide more support to the product line. This shift in resources allows for: 

• Efficient organisation actioning and agility in structure to adapt for client needs.
• Better building of company culture.
• Interdepartmental connectivity.
• Maximising production outcomes.
• Deeper understanding of client needs for better problem solving2

By making this shift, production can increase, machine downtime can decrease and customers can receive goods on time, when and where they need it most.

When machine repair is required, smart systems can assist with fast diagnosis and action on the repair. Integrating Augmented Reality (AR) with hardware can make repair logs and finding what needs repair quick and easy2. AR is the next step in training staff to make repairs and assessments on machines accessible and agile to business and staff needs.

How is Jehbco integrating Industry 4.0 into practice?

Since becoming a member of the Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) Jehbco has been gradually incorporating more Industry 4.0 practices into our manufacturing systems. The AMGC has supported higher R&D spending, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) spending and collaborative efforts between manufacturers and research institutions fostering Australia’s Industry 4.0 progress^[3].

Jehbco Silicones is still working towards fully integrating into the business. Starting with machine upgrades for digitised capture of data. These upgrades employ small localised computers designed to take specific inputs to produce specific outputs. These small computers are Programable Logic Controllers (PLC’s) and run many different machines. 

By integrating machine PLC’s to capture run time data we can build automated production and factory schedules allowing for increased monitoring of production and systems output.

Through capturing data and putting it to use we are initiating automated factory scheduling. Looking toward building a future of predictive scheduling and production analysis to optimise factory output, product lead times and delivery in full on time.

If you would like to learn more about the integration of Industry 4.0 into our manufacturing processes please contact us.

References

1. Dassault Systèmes 2021, Digitalization and Continuity. Dassault Systèmes, Viewed 02 February 2021, https://discover.3ds.com/digitalization-and-continuity?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=202101_glo_sea_en_op51508_labl_generic_manuf_ww_bmm&utm_term=manuf-industry4.0&utm_content=search&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx9mABhD0ARIsAEfpavTScy6bKhE-u9lUY_efVdw5BNmG6PypTTIOu8QGBGeXcbo4q0a-K18aApOTEALw_wcB
2. i-Scoop 2021, Industry 4.0: the fourth industrial revolution – guide to Industrie 4.0, i-Scoop, Viewed 02 February 2021, https://www.i-scoop.eu/industry-4-0/#:~:text=Industry%204.0%20is%20the%20current,called%20a%20%E2%80%9Csmart%20factory%E2%80%9D.
3. AMGC, 2021, Advanced Manufacturing a new definition for a new era, viewed 23 February 2021, https://www.amgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Advanced-Manufacturing-a-new-definition-for-a-new-era.pdf

Whether it be designing a new product, or improving an existing piece of equipment, the choice of material is extremely important. It can be overwhelming picking the right material when there are so many options available on the market. We at Jehbco are often asked to help consult our customers on what elastomer is the right choice for their application. 

In this article, we’ll explore the different properties of silicone and electrically conductive silicone (ECS), and what applications each material would be best suited for. Silicone and ECS are both silicone-based products, but ECS is normally impregnated with electrically conductive particles which changes the physical properties of the material. While both elastomers may be used to create similar products, the specific application and environment will ultimately determine whether silicone or ECS will be the better choice for you. The table below summarises some of the key differences between the two materials

It is no surprise that the mechanical properties of silicone and ECS are similar, as they are both silicone-based products. The loading of conductive particles in the ECS material framework is normally not enough to cause any major changes to the fundamental elastic physical properties (tensile strength, compression set, and abrasion resistance) compared to a standard silicone material. However, the conductive particles impregnated within the ECS material provide ECS with a number of different properties that make it very useful for niche applications.

As the name suggests, ECS is electrically conductive, which makes it ideal for use in the electronics industry. ECS can be used a conductor, as well as anti-static and electromagnetic shielding (EMS) applications. This is in stark contrast to standard silicone material, which generally conducts a lot of static and does not provide any EMS capabilities.

Another benefit of ECS is that the conductive particles also increase in the thermal conductivity of the material. ECS can been used in heat exchange components as a heat transfer medium in semiconductor applications. Conversely, standard silicone has good insulative properties and can be used as a heat shield/protective cover for fluid transfer systems.

It is clear to see that there is merit in using either silicone or ECS, depending on the specific application you require and the operational environment.  For help selecting a material consult our applications page and contact us with any questions.

As a common flame retardant material, silicone is one such material that can conform to the most stringent requirements of smoke toxicity tests in a variety of industries. 

When fires break out, it’s often not burns from the fires that cause the most harm, but the resulting smoke. In many instances of deadly fires, it has been the resulting smoke that causes more deaths than the fire itself. The dangers of smoke are widely recognised and strict standards have been constructed within a variety of industries that aim to minimise high quantity production of toxic smoke in cases of fire. 

Inhalation of toxic smoke has disastrous effects on the human body. Immediate effects of smoke inhalation include extreme shortness of breath, cough, headache and nausea. For some toxic compounds, smoke inhalation can also cause disorientation, panic, loss of mental function and fainting, as well as skin, eye and lung damage. Simple asphyxiation in conjunction with incapacitating side effects can lead to an excruciating death. Toxic smoke is frequently produced by burning organic elastomers, which results in many seals and gaskets constituting a fire safety risk.

Figure 1: Silicone burning with very little visible smoke production

Smoke is not only toxic, but in many cases also obscures light and obstructs visibility. This reduction in visibility makes it more difficult for persons to walk around obstacles, or find their way to a safe location. Additionally, this slowing of movement due to visibility means that people are more exposed to hazardous conditions and inhale more potentially toxic smoke. While smoke toxicity is a severe immediate threat to human safety, visual impairment for smoke can similarly lead to increased harm or death in a catastrophic fire. 

Silicone materials do not ignite until fairly high temperatures (>400°C). While burning, silicone products primarily decompose into silica (SiO2) and carbon oxides. The silica is a solid material which deposits on the surface of the material. The carbon oxides at this temperature are usually transparent, and do not significantly impact visibility. As silicones do not contain harmful sulphur or halogen containing substances, their decomposition by-products are largely non-toxic. Fire resistance, including smoke mitigation, can be enhanced by the use of flame retardant silicone grades which have been researched and developed by Jehbco to reach and exceed customer requirements. 

At Jehbco, products have been tested to a variety of smoke toxicity and visibility standards including BS 6853 and EN 45545 for the rail industry, and other testing standards including AS 1530.3 and ISO 5660. The results of all tests performed on silicone rubber have shown outstandingly low toxicity and good visibility results. For BS 6853 Annex B, the weighted R rating 0.27, significantly below the most stringent requirement, R ≤1. Other testing performed were all significantly below required specifications, as expected based on the exceptional material properties and flame retardance, including receiving a HL3 rating under EN 45545-2 R22/R23 testing. 

Before devastating fires have a chance to break out, every design should be carefully assessed to ensure all possible measures to minimise dangers to human safety have been implemented. The replacement of toxic smoke producing elastomers with flame retardant silicones is one such measure that can significantly reduce risk in cases of fire.

For more information on silicones and silicone flame retardance, please browse through our website or contact us.

ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard providing requirements for an effective occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system^[1]. The standard focuses on providing safe and healthy working conditions. This is proactively performed by identifying risks and opportunities, carrying out hazard identification and risk assessments and adding different controls. These actions result in a reduction of risk and hence in an improvement in work, health and safety. ISO 45001:2018 is based on earlier international standards in this area (e.g. OHSAS 18001 or the International Labour Organisation’s ILO-OHS Guidelines etc.)^[2].

The standard is suitable for all types and sizes of organisation^[3]. It uses a high level structure (see Figure 1) which is similar to other ISO standards and in particular the quality management system (ISO 9001:2015) that Jehbco has been holding for the last 20 years. In addition, ISO 45001:2018 closely follows ISO 14001:2015 which is an environmental management system standard that Jehbco is currently implementing. Thus, ISO 45001 can be easily integrated into our existing quality management system and business processes.

The implementation of an OH&S management system brings many benefits to  an organisation. For example, it helps companies to proactively protect the health and safety of their employees and visitors by measuring and reducing OH&S risks. This leads to  less workplace incidents, decreased absenteeism and increased productivity. It would also increase the safety awareness of every employee by encouraging them to take an active role in their own OH&S system and reinforce the commitment of management to proactively improve OH&S performance.

Finally, having an OH&S management system improves the ability of a company to meet legal and regulatory requirements. Furthermore, ISO 45001 certification can open organisation access to new markets through competitive advantage^[4].

Jehbco is currently developing and implementing an occupational health and safety management system which will be integrated into its certified quality management system (ISO 9001:2015). Jehbco aims to get its OH&S management system certified in parallel with its environmental management system by the end of 2020.

To find out more about quality assurance at Jehbco, please read this article.

To know more about ISO environmental certification (ISO 14001:2015), please click here.

References

1. ISO 45001:2018 standard, November 2019
2. International Organization for standardization , ‘ISO 45001 occupational health and safety’, viewed on 20th November 2019, https://www.iso.org/iso-45001-occupational-health-and-safety.htmlhttps://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/flow_control_fluid_transfer/pipe_tubing_hose_fittings_accessories/medical_tubing (accessed 31st October 2019)
3. International Organization for standardization, ‘Occupational health and safety ISO 45001’, viewed on 20th November 2019, https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100427.pdf 
4.  Interlek, ‘ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems Certification’, viewed on 20th November 2019, https://www.intertek.com/assurance/aus-nz-iso45001/