Silicone engineering guides
Six long-form references on cure systems, process selection, material grades and the regulations that govern food-contact and medical silicone parts.
Use these guides to prepare engineering questions and document requests. Verify the relevant standard, current edition and finished-part requirements for your project.
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Guide
Silicone vs NBR, EPDM and FKM: a sourcing checklist
Silicone is a rubber family. Compare specific compounds against temperature, fluids, movement and contact requirements before choosing an elastomer for a custom part.
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Guide
LSR vs HCR / HTV: choosing a silicone molding route
LSR and HCR describe silicone material forms. HCR is also called HTV; compression, transfer and injection describe processing routes, not separate material grades.
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Guide
21 CFR 177.2600: silicone food-contact procurement
For repeated-use rubber food-contact articles, check the formulation, intended use and applicable extractives requirements in 21 CFR 177.2600. A cure-system label is insufficient.
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Guide
Medical-grade silicone: evidence for component buyers
A “medical-grade” label is not approval for a device or an implant. Evaluate the exact material and finished device against its intended use and biological risks.
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Guide
Silicone part tolerances: what to put on the drawing
Silicone tolerances depend on feature size, compound, molding or extrusion process and measurement conditions. Agree them for the specific part before tooling.
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Guide
ISO 13485 for silicone manufacturers: certificate checks
For a medical silicone sourcing project, verify who holds the certificate, which site and activities it covers, and how the proposed work fits that scope.
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Sourcing
Custom silicone parts: an RFQ checklist for OEM buyers
Prepare a custom silicone parts RFQ with drawings, material requirements, order quantities, validation documents and a quotation comparison checklist for OEM buyers.
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Send a drawing and the technical question you need reviewed.
Start an RFQ