What is Heat Cured Rubber (HCR) silicone?
Heat Cured Rubber elastomers, also known as High Temperature Vulcanizing silicone rubber (HTV), are manufactured using reactive silicone gums, which are essentially long chains with high molecular weight comprising different reactive groups. The commonly used gums are either partially phenylated or perfluorinated vinylated gums. To enhance the properties of HCR, various raw materials are incorporated, such as fumed or precipitated silicas with a high specific surface area to improve mechanical properties, heat stabilizers, and other additives like plasticizers or anti-structuring agents. Cross-linking of the rubber occurs through the utilization of organic peroxides in polycondensation systems or platinum catalysts in polyaddition systems.
HCR Silicone Properties
Heat-cured rubber elastomers offer exceptional properties that surpass those of traditional organic elastomers. They possess remarkable mechanical strength at extreme temperatures, making them suitable for use in a wide temperature range from -50 °C to +300 °C. These elastomers exhibit excellent aging resistance due to their chemical inertness, photo-oxidative stability, and lack of residual reactive groups after curing. Moreover, they can be customized with various additives, allowing for the creation of tailored solutions for diverse applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, oil and gas, construction, and electronics.
One notable application where the benefits of heat-cured rubber (HCR) are exemplified is in electric vehicles (EVs). The ability of HCR to withstand high and low temperatures, coupled with its flexibility for incorporating additional properties, makes it an ideal choice for automotive cable manufacturers. In contrast to other polymers like TPU/TPE and XLPE, silicone rubber HCR offers longer aging times under high temperatures and facilitates easy installation in the increasingly compact spaces found in modern EVs. HCR-based cables meet the evolving demands of the electric vehicle industry, particularly for connecting the engine and the battery.
Furthermore, HCRs exhibit heat resistance and provide fire resistance, with low smoke emissions and non-corrosive, non-toxic combustion gases. They offer reliable insulation and mechanical performance while maintaining a lightweight profile.
Related applications
HCRs (High Consistency Rubbers) possess exceptional properties that make them highly valuable in various industrial applications. They are widely utilized for sealing and piping purposes within fluid circuitry. In construction and aeronautical applications, HCRs are employed for creating strong joints. Similarly, they find extensive use in automotive industry for manufacturing gaskets, boots, and hoses.
Another important application of HCRs is in electrical protection. They are utilized in the production of safety cables and insulators for office equipment and electrotechnical applications. In automotive applications, HCRs are used to manufacture spark plug boots, cables, and connectors.
Furthermore, HCRs have gained significance in the food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sectors. They are employed in the production of tubes and profiled sections, ensuring the safe handling and transport of materials in these industries.
The versatile properties of HCRs have made them indispensable in these industrial applications, providing reliability, durability, and performance across a wide range of sectors.
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