Da/Pro staff chemists are available to develop custom organic or silicone compounds to satisfy your specific requirements. Compounds are developed to meet specific customer requirements. Da/Pro has in-house mixing capabilities for both organic and silicone compounds. Each batch is tested in the lab and approved before being sent to production. The standard tests for each batch include rheological and physical profiles.
These are checked against limits set for approval or rejection of each compound. Additionally, customer required tests or tests critical to the function of the molded product, are continually monitored in our laboratory. To assure consistent properties of mixed materials, the staff chemists analyze statistically organized data collected by Da/Pro’s software programs.
Our years of expertise in this field can cut your time to market. We can even custom color your products to match existing package requirements or help with your corporate color branding programs.
Conductive elastomers are rubber compounds that have been specially compounded and modified to make the rubber electrically conductive. The level of conductivity of rubber ranges from Insulative to Antistatic to EMI/RFI Shielding to Highly Conductive. The base polymer is an insulating material. Ingredients added to make a rubber compound effect the level of conductivity. By varying the type and amount of ingredients, different levels of conductivity can be achieved. Antistatic compounds have lower conductivity and are used to bleed off static energy. This is important in electrical devices including TVs, computers, cell phones, and any electronic devices that have integrated circuits (IC) chips and other components. EMI/RFI compounds are used to protect by shielding delicate electronic components. Highly Conductive materials provide compounds that can be as conductive as wire. To achieve EMI/RFI and highly conductive silicone compounds, compounding ingredients range from carbon black to graphene to metal coated/plated spheres to metals such as brass, copper, silver plated copper, silver and gold. The highest level of conductivity is silver and gold and cost accordingly.
The base polymer maintains its original characteristics; i.e., conductive silicone compounds still have the chemical properties as a non-conductive silicone compound. The different elastomers are used for the combination of original physical and chemical properties in combination with the conductivity level.
Da/Pro has a variety of compounds that have varying conductivity depending on customer requirements. These include fluid resistant, low and high temperature resistance, environmentally (ozone/oxygen/sunlight) resistant, etc. Some of the compounds include EPDM, Viton/FKM, perfluorintated/FFKM, nitrile/Buna-N, Silicone, Fluorosilicone, Neoprene, urethane.
550°F
-160°F
Fluorosilcone rubber (FVMQ) is a variation of silicone rubber that has been chemically modified to have enhanced chemical resistance similar to Fluorocarbons (FKM). It has all the characteristics of silicone rubber, and even has excellent resistance to many solvents, oils, greases and fuels. It has the same temperature range of silicones, -90 F to 400F. Fluorosilicone compounds process and mold the same as other silicones, but is considered a premium product due to its enhanced fluid resistance while maintaining excellent high and low temperature resistance and resistance to ozone, oxygen and weathering. Because of this, the cost is significantly higher than other silicones.
Typical applications include automotive, aerospace, aviation and anywhere fluid resistance is needed for fuels and oils combined with low and high temperature capabilities.
400°F
-90°F
We offer molding of high temperature plastics including PEEK, Ultem and more. High temperature plastics like PEEK offer stable physical properties, dimensional stability and characteristics that are ideal for electrical applications that can experience increased temperatures. We work with a variety of materials that fall in the high temperature range and can obtain materials that will assist in flame retardance, wear resistance, conductivity, structural reinforcement available in a variety of colors. While most plastics do not hold up to harsh chemicals, high temperature plastics offer more chemical resistance than most.
Overmolding rubber to plastic requires the use of high temperature plastic as rubber molding temperatures can exceed 350°F. We can manufacture the high temperature plastic insert and overmold the rubber. This reduces costs of purchasing high temp inserts from separate suppliers. Using high temperature plastics as inserts in place of metal can also significantly reduce costs where the application allows.
769°F
-25°F
Thermoplastic materials include ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Polyarylate, CPVC, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), HDPE, Polypropylene, Nylon and Glass-Filled Nylon, Polyester (PBT, PET), Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, Polyetherimide (Ultem) Polyurethane, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Thermoplastic materials are the plastic that we see in everyday life in phones to kitchen utensils. They make up a large volume of consumer products, industrial, and electronic components.
Thermoplastic elastomers include: Santoprene, Kraton, Estane, Pellethane, Hytrel, Sarlink, Polytrope, Elastollan, and Dynaflex. Thermoplastic elastomers differ slightly from thermoplastics. The thermoplastic elastomers have properties that are similar to thermoset (rubber) elastomers. These are a combination of rubber and thermoplastic materials to make a more elastic type of plastic material. These materials have grown in popularity and are used for everything from tool grips to shampoo bottles. These materials have replaced rubber in many instances as a cost effective solution for improving the grip on pens, tools, surgical instruments, as well as adding color identity and slip resistance to a variety of components.
Although Thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastics have replaced rubber in many instances, they cannot replace the resistance to chemical, high temperature, or extreme low temp environments that rubber offers. We offer injection molding and overmolding of thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomer components and high temperature plastic molding of thermoplastics.
558°F
-23°F
Our team of chemists mold TPE elastomer products and overmolded products. TPE elastomers add soft-touch grips, high tech looks, multiple color capability, scents, surface textures and more to a variety of components. TPE elastomer molding is being used in consumer products, industrial products, medical device components, electrical products and in almost every other industry.
Consumer products use TPE elastomers in everything ranging from toothbrushes to shampoo bottles incorporating special effect colors and scent enhanced elements. Sporting goods manufacturers use TPE elastomers to reduce the coefficient of friction with wet surfaces and increase comfort.
Industrial, electronics, and medical OEMs are using TPE to combine housing and sealing components into one, increasing efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs. Vibration dampers and valve/pump combination components also utilize TPE elastomers.
TPE elastomer molding is replacing many rubber/metal and rubber/plastic combinations as a more cost effective solutions. TPE elastomer products have evolved; and TPE materials are made with better elasticity, surface COF, more colors, higher tear strength, more bondability to other substrates and higher heat performance. Many of these properties have improved, but there are still properties that only rubber can deliver.
353°F
-89°F
Medical grade silicone is a level of testing done on silicone materials. Some tests performed to classify medical grade silicone are USP class VI biological testing, histopathology, intramuscular implantation, and tissue cell-culture testing. Other testing could include skin sensitization, pyrogenicity, and hemolysis, although not all tests may be conducted to qualify the material as medical grade silicone. Dow Corning uses the term “medical grade” which has become widely accepted industry practice. Other testing of medical grade silicone is performed to determine compatibility with human implantation. (See Dow Corning Website).
Medical grade silicone is often used in injection molding medical components. Medical grade silicone has properties that demonstrate superior compatibility with human and animal tissue and body fluids. It is an inert material and can be used with implantable devices. It also can withstand extreme temperatures, allowing it to be used in sterilization environments. Medical grade silicone is soft and pliable, making it ideal for contact with human skin. Injection molding of medical grade silicone is cost efficient for high volume or single-use applications. Medical grade silicone can be used in gum form and compression molded for low volume requirements.
450°F
-80°F
Sealing environments that are not exposed to oils, gasoline, kerosene, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated solvents, and concentrated acids are ideal for EPDM rubber gaskets. EPDM rubber is often used in weather seals, and as a source of noise reduction in the automotive industry. EPDM is an excellent source for gaskets or gasket sealing against atmospheric conditions such as sunlight, ozone, wind and rain. EPDM rubber can withstand temperatures ranging from -50°C to 150°C.
302°F
-58°F
Viton® fluoroelastomer is the most specified fluoroelastomer, well known for its excellent (400°F/200°C) heat resistance. Viton® offers excellent resistance to aggressive fuels and chemicals and has worldwide ISO 9000 and ISO/TS 16949 registration.
See the Dupont Website for more information regarding Viton® Fluoroelastomer material.
Viton® is a brand of synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer commonly used in O-rings and other molded components. We mold Viton® O-rings for a variety of applications in the aerospace and industrial markets. Viton® O-rings are ideal in oil field applications where Viton® can resist aggressive properties of natural gas and oils. Viton® O-rings come in different families:
550°F
-40°F
Silicone rubber has excellent high temperature properties and can be used in liquid silicone injection molding or as a silicone gum in the compression molding process. Silicone rubber can operate normally from -80°F to +450°F. This makes silicone rubber components ideal in high altitude situations in the aerospace industry or high temperature sterilization environments (e.g. medical applications).
Silicone rubber is used in a variety of industries not only for its extreme temperature properties, but also the superiority to conventional rubbers in properties such as tensile strength, elongation, tear strength and compression set. Silicone rubber is a highly inert material and does not react with most chemicals. This makes it a highly used material in molding for medical applications and implants. Silicone rubber is an excellent electrical insulator and is often used in electrical connector insert applications.
Silicone rubber has a “backbone” of silicon-oxygen links as opposed to organic rubber that has a carbon to carbon backbone, which is a main factor in it’s resistance to ozone, UV, heat and other aging factors.
Phenyl Methyl Vinyl Silicone, a special low temperature grade can go to -160F. It is used in aerospace and military applications requiring extreme low temperatures.
450°F
-80°F
Liquid Silicone Rubber – LSR is the material used in our proprietary liquid injection molding (LIM) process. LSR produces medium to high volume rubber parts more efficiently and economically than other rubber molding processes. Using LSR materials have the following molding benefits:
LSR components range from medical device valves to gas diaphragms.
400°F
-80°F
Our team can custom compound a variety of rubber materials. Neoprene is a brand name developed by DuPont Performance Elastomers. It is a name for a family of synthetic rubbers based on polychloroprene. DuPont developed this family of rubbers as an oil-resistant alternative to natural rubber.
Neoprene Rubber has a wide range of beneficial properties, including:
Because of these properties, neoprene rubber is useful in a variety of applications. Neoprene rubber gaskets and neoprene grommets are used in devices that are exposed to extreme chemicals and temperatures. Neoprene gaskets are often used in automotive and oil & gas industry as a seal against corrosive environments and weather elements. Neoprene grommets are used in electrical connectors in the aerospace and electronic industries.
Neoprene rubber has become a popular material choice in modern applications ranging from clothing to electronic cases.
225°F
-60°F
Our team of chemists can custom compound a variety of rubber materials. Nitrile rubber or Buna-N is a synthetic rubber comprised of a copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene. We use trade names such as Nipol, Krynac, and Eroprene but can also custom compound Nitrile for nitrile rubber o-rings, nitrile gaskets or other nitrile rubber molding components.
Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is a family of nitrile rubber whose physical and chemical properties vary depending on the composition of acrylonitrile. The more acrylonitrile that is in the polymer the higher the resistance to oils but the lower the flexibility of the material. This makes NBR generally resistant to oil, fuel and other chemicals. Our team has molded custom nitrile rubber for seals, grommets, nitrile gaskets, and nitrile o-rings.
Nitrile rubber is more resistant to oils and acids compared to natural rubber but is not as strong or flexible. Like natural rubber it can be attacked by ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters and aldehydes but is generally resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbons.
250°F
-65°F
Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is an elastomeric copolymer that consists of styrene and butadiene. SBR has good abrasion resistance and good stability.
SBR has a glass transition temperature of approximately -55°C
Other names include GRS, Buna S
SBR has an elongation percentage of 450 – 500
SBR has a useful temperature of -65 to 250°F
SBR is not oil, ozone or weather resistant. Not recommended for electrical applications.
Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is commonly used in pneumatic tires or tubes, heels and soles, and gasketing applications.
Our chemists can assist you in determining if SBR is ideal for your application. We will evaluate the specifications of your component and make recommendations on the most effective and efficient solutions.
250°F
-65°F