silicone foam, silicone sponge
Over the past two years, silicone foam has become a particularly challenged material when it comes to lead times. As of this writing, there has been cases where we have waited a year for some silicone foam. Although, it is true, lead times have improved dramatically since the beginning of the year, and the end of 2022.
Continued Challenges
However, considering silicone foam is still a challenging material, I thought it would be a good idea to post a blog about some of the materials that could be used in substitution potentially of silicone foam rubber.
Small Tip on Avoiding Even Longer Leadtimes
Pro Tip: I have said it a thousand times in 2 years, but I’m going to say a thousand, and one times. Do not, if you can help it.. Specify PSA to come straight from an OEM when your die-cutting converter of choice can put it on for you. Why is this? Because the PSA is applied on a made to order basis. If your converter of choice can do it; they may have the material sitting in stock on the shelf. Many converters are authorized 3M converters, who have good adhesive tapes on the shelf.
Silicone Sponge Rubber
Silicone Sponge Rubber – Silicone Sponge Rubber has a lot of the same properties that silicone foam has. However, it is important to point out that silicone sponge, and silicone foam are two different materials. The nuanced difference doesn’t matter to some, but I obsess over it. Silicone Sponge is
-Compressible
-High Temperature range/low temperature range
-Available in the same thicknesses
Low Durometer Solid Silicone Rubber
Soft Silicone Rubber, Low Durometer Materials- Low Durometer SIlicone Rubber materials thickness may have to be adjusted to help with compression ratios, however a lot of these materials at 10A, 20A durometer, and maybe even 30A durometer can be helpful to substitute for silicone foam. Soft Silicone Rubber properties include:
-High/Low Temperature Resistance
-Varieties of Thicknesses
-Compressible
More Information on Gasketing Applications
NEDC does die-cutting, knife-cutting, and waterjet cutting for gasketing applications. For more information on silicone foam or you believe you have an application that could utilize a silicone foam/sponge solution, please contact sales@nedc.com.