Posted in Silicone Recycling

Uncured Liquid Silicone

Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is high purity platinum cure silicone that is known for its excellent quality and bio-compatibility. Owing to its low compression set, great stability and ability to resist extreme temperatures of heat and cold, it is favored by manufacturers for the production of medical device and medical parts.

The Chemistry That Makes LSR Such An Outstanding Material

LSR is a synthetic silicone elastomer with a backbone of alternating silicone and oxygen atoms and methyl or vinyl side groups that provides it unique properties such as excellent thermal and oxidative resistance, low surface tension, low temperature flexibility, and good dielectric properties. The fast cure cycles and improved performance properties of liquid silicone rubber make it a good choice for small molded components esp. in the medical industry.

Use of Liquid Silicone Rubber

LSR was first produced about 25 years ago. In 1999, the global market consumed approximately 170K tons of silicone elastomers. Unlike most thermoplastic elastomers (TPRs and TPEs), LSR remains flexible and elastic beyond -70°F and retains its properties up to 450°F. Liquid silicone rubber is a good candidate for gaskets, seals and cushioning pads in portable communications, data acquisition instruments and ruggedized electronic devices where outdoor conditions are demanding. Cured LSR does not out-gas volatiles and plasticizers- which has made it friendly to electronic assemblies that were formerly required to be “silicone free”.

Medical Grade Silicones

Medical grade silicones are best suited for bio-compatibility and are appropriate to be used for medical applications. Medical grade liquid silicone rubber can be extruded into tubes, strips, solid cords, and it can be molded into custom shapes and designs.

The healthcare plastic device market already represents over $4 billion in sales in North America. Demand for healthcare devices continues to grow as the population ages. In the U.S., nearly 13,000 individuals are expected to turn 60 each day over the next 20 years. In fact, sales of LSR for medical application in North America alone are expected to increase 50% by 2015.

Uncured Silicone Rubber

With the high use of LSR, there are also byproducts (those left over raw materials that cannot be pump out of the original package) such as uncured silicone rubber is used to make silicone formulations which can be used as adhesives, sealants, gels, coatings, dips and encapsulation compounds. These formulations have useful characteristics such as extended temperature range, high thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and etc. Uncured LSR are available in small quantities usually packaged in tubes, syringes and jars.

Uncured Silicone Rubber Recycling

The conventional method of recycling uncured silicone rubber is incineration which is extremely expensive. However, there are companies who help in recycling such uncured LSR at an affordable rate. Eco USA are expert in recycling most types of silicone, siloxane bearing by products including cured rubber, uncured rubber, solids, liquids, oils and gels, foams, hose, belting and silicone treated fabrics.

Instead of using the traditional method of landfills, Eco USA uses environmental friendly and innovative alternatives for recycling material into raw material substitute and reusing it effectively. They attack the disposition of process materials and recycle the material into a raw material substitute, and recover all materials generated utilizing energy recovery. Thus, they help in reducing carbon foot print, now you do not need land fill space and still save energy, and decrease emission of green house gases.

Eco USA specializes in silicone recycling, with a higher reusable yield of the scarp material. Eco USA keeps all environmental requirements under consideration during their recycling procedures. Silicone Materials which they recycle are; silicone rubber, GUM, HTV, RTV, LSR, sealant, silicone fluid.
For quick and convenient disposal of uncured LSR, contact Eco USA today. They provide pick up service of recyclable material for their clients and that will reduce the transportation cost considerably and save you a lot of money!