Choosing A Silicone Extrusion Manufacturer

When you’re looking for a manufacturer of silicone extrusion profiles, there are many factors to consider, such as manufacturing processes, experience, and breadth of capabilities. It’s important to weigh these factors to ensure you get the right supplier for your project.

But first, let’s define what the extrusion process is and how it works.

The extrusion process

Silicone is a polymer made up from siloxane, colorless rubber-like substances. The silicone compound enters the extruder and is fed into different flutes in a revolving screw. The screw carries the silicone into the die, and the material raises in temperature and pressure. The silicone is then forced through the die into a formed profile. The material then travels onto an oven where it is cured with radiant heat.

There are many applications for extruded silicone, from sealants to rubber bumpers. Silicone is temperature resistant from -60 C to +200 C, and is resistant to oil, chemicals, and water, and can be produced in a wide variety of colors.

Fluorosilicone is especially resistant to pressure, heat, and corrosives such as acids, alkalis, fuels, and oils.

Applications for extruded silicone

Automotive: Spark plug wires, intake systems, wiring harnesses, gaskets, and airbag parts.

Aerospace: Gaskets, door seals, wiring harnesses, gap filler to mitigate vibration.

Construction: Gaskets, O-rings, roofing, door sealants, plumbing.

Cookware: Utensils, molds, steamers, egg poachers, gloves, trivets, kitchen mats.

Medicine: Seals, gaskets.

Personal care: baby bottle teats, earplugs.

Choosing a supplier

When shopping around for a supplier of silicone extruder profiles, it’s good to find at least a couple of companies so you can compare and contrast their processes and see which is the best fit for you.

Capacity: How much product can they make during a set amount of time? You need to find a supplier that is the right size for your project. Not only can your order be too small for a large manufacturer, but the same order could be too large for a regional or local manufacturer. Find a supplier that specifies minimum order size and their willingness to accept orders of your size.

Experience: Find a supplier of silicone extruder profiles that has years, preferably decades, of experience with all types of clients. This way, with a strong track record of satisfied clients, you know you can expect your silicone extrusion profile project to be successful.

Location: Don’t limit yourself to American manufacturers. There are distributors in the USA who have access to manufacturers globally, with a significant portion of them being in China. This can save you money in the short and long term.

Relationship: Work with a silicone extrusion supplier that is willing to act as a knowledgeable consultant as well as just a manufacturer. It helps with your project when your manufacturer can give you direction on what you can do with your designs, how to improve them, and how to get them produced in the most economical way possible.