Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) has become a transformative material in the medical device manufacturing industry. It is well-known for manufacturing highly precise, reliable, and safe components. Advanced liquid silicone rubber molding technologies further improve the reliability of the LSR as they allow manufacturers to produce high-quality devices with exceptional precision in a cost-effective manner.
But what is liquid silicone rubber in the first place? LSR is a versatile, two-part liquid elastomer known for its durability, flexibility, and biocompatibility. Let’s see why liquid silicone rubber for mold making is a perfect material for medical device manufacturing.
Why Liquid Silicone Rubber is Ideal for Medical Devices
Liquid silicon rubber is used extensively in the medical equipment for the following reasons:
Biocompatibility
Liquid silicone rubber has high compatibility with the human body. Its non-toxic feature ensures that it can be used safely in applications such as manufacturing wearable health devices, implantable components, and much more.
Durability and Flexibility
The combination of strength and flexibility in LSR allows it to withstand repeated stresses while maintaining its performance. Medical devices usually require materials that can endure frequent use and can adapt to various shapes or movements. The LSR fulfills these demands, which increases the lifespan and use cases of different medical equipment.
Sterilization Compatibility
LSR components can withstand rigorous sterilization methods, including autoclaving, radiation, and chemical sterilization, without losing their performance.
Resistance to Chemicals and Extreme Temperatures
Liquid silicone rubber has excellent chemical resistance to a wide array of acids, alkalis, and solvents, as well as flexibility and stability at extreme temperatures (-50°C to 200°C and beyond), making it versatile for diverse applications in harsh environments.
Advanced Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding Techniques
Innovative molding techniques maximize the potential of LSR, which enables precision manufacturing across a wide range of applications. Some of the top advanced liquid silicone rubber molding techniques include:
Injection Molding
This is the most common liquid silicone rubber molding method, which involves mixing the two components of LSR in a precise 1:1 ratio and then injecting them into a preheated mold through an injection molding machine, and then curing and molding them at a mold temperature of 170 to 200°C.
This method offers unparalleled accuracy and speed, which makes it suitable for producing high volumes of medical components with precise designs.
Liquid Injection Molding
Liquid injection molding builds on the principles of traditional injection molding but is specifically designed to handle LSR. The process ensures uniform material flow and precise molding to reduce waste while producing components with complex geometries.
Compression Molding
This liquid silicone rubber molding technique is known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It involves placing pre-measured LSR into a heated mold and applying pressure to achieve the desired structure. However, this molding technique is mostly used for creating simpler components where high precision is not a critical requirement.
In-Mold Injection Molding
This sophisticated process combines molding and assembly into one seamless operation. By integrating different materials or creating layered structures within the same mould, injection molding enables the production of highly functional and multi-material medical devices.
Overmolding
Overmolding allows LSR to be bonded with other materials, including metals or plastics, to create composite parts with enhanced functionality. This technique is frequently used in medical devices that require soft-touch areas or additional reinforcement for durability.
Applications of Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding in Medical Devices
Liquid silicone rubber molding plays a vital role in modern medical equipment manufacturing. It is used in many applications, such as:
Catheters, Seals, and Valves
Liquid silicone rubber can be widely used in the production of medical catheters, seals, and valves because of its biocompatibility and high flexibility. These components require direct contact with human tissue or body fluids, and LSR’s chemical resistance and antimicrobial properties ensure that it can remain safe and reliable in a variety of environments. For example, LSR catheters provide a soft, comfortable touch while minimizing patient irritation during infusion, drainage, or surgical procedures.
Wearable Health Monitors and Sensors
LSR is a flexible and skin-friendly material, which makes it a perfect component for different types of wearable devices, such as health monitoring bracelets, heart rate sensors, and external wraps for blood oxygen measurement devices. Its excellent flexibility and durability ensure that the device does not cause skin irritation when worn for long periods of time, while its water and sweat resistance make it suitable for a variety of daily activities and extreme environments.
Implantable Components and Drug Delivery Systems
The biocompatibility and chemical inertness of medical silicone rubber make it a trusted material for implantable medical components such as heart valve stents, artificial blood vessels, and drug delivery systems like insulin pumps. Its chemical stability allows for long-term exposure to body fluids or drugs without degradation, and its precision molding capability meets the needs of complex structures to ensure safety and efficiency.
LIKE: Reliable Brand in Liquid Silicone Rubber Solutions
LIKE is a well-known custom silicone mold manufacturer that provides high-quality liquid silicone molding solutions. We specialize in medical-grade LSR molding and offer exceptional manufacturing capabilities such as:
Cleanroom Production
We operate a state-of-the-art 100,000-class dust-free workshop designed to maintain the highest levels of sterility and cleanliness. This facility ensures that every product is manufactured in an environment free from contaminants, which is critical for medical applications.
Strict Quality Control
With ISO 13485 certification, we always adhere to rigorous production standards to ensure that every product meets global medical-grade requirements. All the production stages are carefully monitored to deliver consistent and reliable results.
Industry Compliance
In addition to ISO 13485 certification, we have obtained various certifications for environmental and quality management systems, including Sira and IATF 16949. Our commitment to these compliance ensures that our liquid silicone rubber molding products align with the most demanding industry standards.
Design and R&D Expertise
With a strong focus on research and development, we are equipped with a professional laboratory and quality control center. Our team specializes in creating highly custom silicone molding solutions by offering OEM/ODM capabilities to design and produce medical liquid silicone products based on customer specifications.
Partner with LIKE
Liquid silicone rubber molding offers unmatched benefits for the medical industry by combining safety, durability, and versatility. With advanced manufacturing, strict quality control, and customized solutions, LIKE provides high-quality liquid silicone rubber molding solutions. Partner with us to boost innovation and ensure reliability in your medical device production!
