Carbon dioxide saves cash:
Cold Curing is better than annealing.
A post treatment of silicone parts is often necessary after it has vulcanised, since residual compounds sometimes remain in rubber which were not cross-linked. These generally cyclical silicones are fugitive and only appear on the surface of the rubber after a certain time has passed, subsequently disturbing many processes and applications, e.g. in medical technology, automobile industry, aerospace and electric industries.
With ColdCuring™, undesirable silicon residue as well as other secondary products such as peroxide, chloride compounds and anti-bonding agents, are removed from the parts.
Liquid CO2 has shown itself to be a highly useful solvent for this usage: due to its low surface tension (5 mN/m), it wets the surface material in optimum fashion, penetrates throughout the porous structure of the silicone and dissolves not fully cross-linked compounds (volatiles), without any damage done to the internal structure. The process is a new, fast, effective and inexpensive alternative to hot tempering.
Benefits of ColdCuring™
- Shorter process time to remove volatiles than traditional hot tempering processes.
- Removal of high-molecular residue silicones
- Fulfills requirements in accordance with EN 14350-2
- Treatment of heat-sensitive parts, e.g. 2K parts, parts with heat-sensitive pigments or elements, is possible.
- No aging process during treatment >>the mechanical characteristics and measurements of the parts remain constant.
- No dust formation (SiO2)
- No further polymerisation (Slit-healing is prevented.)
- Parts can be packed immediately after the treatment >>no cooling necessary
- Environmentally friendly: no exhaust gases or silicon steam released into the atmosphere, CO2 is recycled.
- CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, odor-neutral and chemically stable.
Passion is the best power-drive for innovative solutions. And, of course, an ability to see beyond the horizon.
Silcos GmbH · Hans-Boeckler-Straße 28 · D-72770 Reutlingen
Tel. +49 (0)7121 / 93937-0 · Fax +49 (0)7121 / 93937-177 · www.silcos.com