Thermoplastic/LSR multi-material molding
Thermoplastic refers to thermoplastic resin, while LSR to Liquid Silicone Rubber
This technology enables developing of products in a wide range of fields that were previously impossible, by adhering silicone rubber to thermoplastic resin.
This is a technology to bond thermoplastic resin and liquid silicone rubber (thermosetting), which need mutually different processes, in the same process.
This technology enables product development in a wide range of fields that could not be handled conventionally, by bonding of silicone rubber and thermoplastic resin, which have better physical properties by comparison to elastomers (i.e. permanent compression strain, heat resistance, and electrical insulation).
Product shaping and mold design are easier, since there is no need for joining using anchors, bridges, etc. as bonding is performed chemically.
Features of Thermoplastic/LSR Multi-Material Molding
- ・Enables product realization in fields where conventional elastomers could not be handled (see comparison table)
- ・Enables making molded products that make us of both material characteristics, by putting them together in the same product
- ・Enables man-hour reduction (i.e. assembly, insertion), as bonding is performed in the same process
- ・Enhances design flexibility due to supporting 2-color rotating plate in addition to the conventional 2-color rotating core rotation.
Features of Thermoplastic/LSR Multi-Material Molding
| Compression permanent bending | Heat resistance | Weather resistance | Flexibility | Electrical insulation | Cold resistance | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elastomers | △ | △ | △ | ○ | △ | △ | ◎ |
| Silicone rubber | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | △ |
Adhesive resins
- ・Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
- ・Polyphenylene oxide (PPO)
- ・Polycarbonate (PC)
- ・Nylon 6.66 (PA6.66)
Application examples
-
- ・Automotive connectors (insulation & heat resistance)
- ・Housing gaskets for waterproof terminals
- ・Various grips (soft touch)
- ・Medical parts
