My material is:
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
At Protolabs, there are two types of LSRs available. They all must meet the same basic design rules, but each offers somewhat distinct characteristics:
LSR — The Elastosil LR 3003 series is available in 4 durometer levels, from 30 to 70 Shore A and, like most LSRs, responds well to the addition of pigments. Suitable applications include the production of electrical components for the automotive sector, seals and gaskets for the food industry and wherever a flexible, durable and temperature-resistant polymer is required.
LSR (Optical Grade) —Do you need to make a clear but durable lens or other clear piece? Many injection molders may opt for polycarbonate in the first instance, but optical grade LSR is much more suitable for molding and boasts better optical qualities, ranking right after glass. It is also biocompatible and with its 72 Shore A ranks among the hardest LSRs.
piece with overmoulding
TPE and TPV materials are used regularly by those requiring elastomeric molded parts but they shine especially during two-material molding processes such as co-molding. For example, when you are ready to submit your PolyJet prototype (3D printing) to the next development stage, Protolabs offers many grades of elastomeric materials all belonging to the TPE / TPV (vulcanized thermoplastic / thermoplastic elastomer) family. For example, Santoprene 111-45 TPV offers excellent fatigue resistance and serves as a great cover for smartphones. Likewise, Santoprene 101-73 is used as a steering column cover and to make the surround speakers.
As for TPE materials, Versaflex OM 1040X-1 is soft to the touch, has excellent aesthetics (can be colored) and binds well to polycarbonate or ABS, presenting itself as an excellent choice of material for the gripping surfaces of medical devices. Another clever color TPE is Versaflex OM 6240-1, known for its affinity to nylon. And then there is the Hytrel 3078, considered by some to be the elastomeric equivalent of the Eveready bunny due to its ability to flex, bend and stretch, far superior to that of standard rubber materials.
