Why Use Silicone Rubber for Such Composites

The entire group of rubbery silicones exhibits a vast spectrum of unique properties rarely superceded by any other rubber. In most cases silicone rubber provides the best choice in terms of processability, mechanical properties, high performance and material cost. 

TPE thermoplastic elastomer ++ = very good + = good - = negative 

As for silicone rubbers other than LR, most of the above mentioned points apply, too. Silicone HTV rubbers can be delivered in a wide variety of preforms which allows the processor to optimise the production process. Such preforms range from blocks and strips to coils and even pellets, use of the latter allowing a more or less continuous operation. 

Another, useful property of silicone rubbers is their unique electrical behaviour. Silicone rubbers, if processed correctly exhibit extremely high volume resistivity, high dielectric strength and excellent tracking and arcing resistance. This is also the reason why substantial quantities of silicone rubbers are used by the cable, cable accessory and insulator and electronics industries. 

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