Silicone Bonded to Aluminum
Custom Rubber Corp. has developed significant expertise in bonding silicone to a number of substrates, particularly aluminum. The process requires very exact adhesive application, which is challenging because the adhesive is clear and nearly impossible to see once it's applied.
After the adhesive application, the aluminum inserts have to be handled with extreme care - the oil from human hands can cause the bond to fail, as can any lint from cotton/kevlar insulating gloves.
The inserts are pre-heated in a callibrated oven for a specified amount of time. Too long and the adhesive starts to activate before the part is molded. And, if the pre-heat is too short, the adhesive may not reach activation temperature during molding. Both cases result in adhesive failure.
After molding, the parts are carefully trimmed while they cool down. The bond is not completed until the entire part, including the aluminum, reaches room temperature.
The rubber parts pictured are not in stock or for sale. These are examples of custom-manufactured products that illustrate Custom Rubber Corp.'s capabilities. Contact us with information on your needs.