Phone: 952-445-1320
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Rubber Industries is designated as an essential manufacturer due to our Medical and Department of Defense manufacturing.
We continue to operate all aspects of our tooling and manufacturing 24x7x365
Viton O Rings
Phone: 952-445-1320
Rubber Industries Inc is a leader in the custom molding of elastomers and custom tooling for five decades. Our work with custom tooling and custom molded pieces has made us the go to experts for the world's largest companies.
- Rubber Industries offers the fastest service for custom molded Viton O Rings.
- Rubber Industries manufactures millions of parts per year, and we offer the fastest custom mold making along with 24x7 manufacturing.
- We mold thousands of different parts and O Rings using Viton (FKM)
- We use custom Viton formulas proven over decades to mold FKM O Rings
- Viton (FKM) O Rings are custom molded parts and expertly molded
- We build all of the tools on-site and have inventory of the materials to mold your FKM (Viton) parts.
- This gives complete control over the quality of your product while adhering to your project timeline without you worrying about managing multiple vendors! We do it all!
- We have the experience of hundreds of thousands FKM overmolded made in our facility for decades so you can be assured of your project finishing on time, within budget, and the best quality for your custom molded Viton project.
Custom Molded Viton O Rings
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Viton, also commonly known as FKM, is very resilient to a wide range of chemicals. Viton O Rings have excellent high temperature performance. Viton (FKM) has excellent chemical resistance including resistance to acids.
Viton (FKM) has a wide temperature range of performance.
The fluorine content can be chosen with Viton (FKM) to further enhance the physical and chemical properties for a custom molded O Ring.
We've perfected each of our manufacturing processes and steps to provide the highest quality parts. we have recently invested millions of dollars into our company and our Asian joint ventures to keep us at the forefront of:
We are the only company in viton molding that can take on your project from start to finish in just a few days including tooling and molding.
Over our fifty years of manufacturing experience, we've learned how to meet our customer's timeline and budget and still provide the highest quality possible.
Our 24/7 by 365 manufacturing schedule makes us the fastest from project start to you receiving your Viton parts.
Viton (FKM) has a wide temperature range of performance.
The fluorine content can be chosen with Viton (FKM) to further enhance the physical and chemical properties for a custom molded O Ring.
We've perfected each of our manufacturing processes and steps to provide the highest quality parts. we have recently invested millions of dollars into our company and our Asian joint ventures to keep us at the forefront of:
- FKM
- Viton
- Silicone
- Liquid Silicone Rubber
- EPDM
- Neoprene
- Chloroprene
- Natural Rubber
- Polyurethane
- NBR
- Nitrile
- Buna N
- HNBR
- XNBR
We are the only company in viton molding that can take on your project from start to finish in just a few days including tooling and molding.
Over our fifty years of manufacturing experience, we've learned how to meet our customer's timeline and budget and still provide the highest quality possible.
Our 24/7 by 365 manufacturing schedule makes us the fastest from project start to you receiving your Viton parts.
Video of Custom Viton O Ring Tooling
Rubber Industries Inc. Saves You Time and Money
Fluoroelastomer (Viton®, FKM) offers a wide range of resistance to chemicals, oil and heat, and often is used for service life above 200°C.
Using a custom design will improve your O Ring performance to assure you the best possible application of your custom molded Viton (FKM) seals and gaskets.
Viton ® is also known as FKM, and made of fluorine based fluoroelastomer and is one of the most versatile and widely used for gaskets, seals, and O Rings. Because of the fluoroelastomer it also has excellent resistance to acids. Viton seals offer enhanced performance in many environments.
Viton® is a trade name for the Chemours brand of fluorocarbon, also known as FKM. FKM is a high-performance elastomer (polymer) with excellent resistance to high temperature, ozone, weather, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, hydraulic fluids, aromatics and many organic solvents and chemicals.
Fluoroelastomer (Viton®, FKM) offers a wide range of resistance to chemicals, oil and heat, and often is used for service life above 200°C.
Using a custom design will improve your O Ring performance to assure you the best possible application of your custom molded Viton (FKM) seals and gaskets.
Viton ® is also known as FKM, and made of fluorine based fluoroelastomer and is one of the most versatile and widely used for gaskets, seals, and O Rings. Because of the fluoroelastomer it also has excellent resistance to acids. Viton seals offer enhanced performance in many environments.
Viton® is a trade name for the Chemours brand of fluorocarbon, also known as FKM. FKM is a high-performance elastomer (polymer) with excellent resistance to high temperature, ozone, weather, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, hydraulic fluids, aromatics and many organic solvents and chemicals.
- Superior custom tooling services: While many of our competitors still make tools out of aluminium to save money, Rubber Industries Inc. chooses robust stainless steel. This means that our tools last longer and produce more consistent results, and because we build the tools and can account for post bake shrink you get a perfect part the first time which gets you to market faster.
- Unlimited capacity: Our Minnesota campus is capable of producing hundreds of thousands of custom molded rubber, synthetic rubber and silicone parts each week, and we have also developed relationships with some of Asia’s most respected manufacturers to provide our clients with virtually unlimited production capacity. We have invested in Asian partners that share our quality first philosophy, which means that our clients can expect the same high standards regardless of where their components are made.
- Rapid prototyping services: Rubber Industries Inc. is probably best known for its swift turnaround times, and this is largely the result of our extremely fast prototyping services. Prototypes are often completed in a matter of hours, and we have even built tools and prototypes from scratch and delivered finished silicone items in less than a week.
- In- house formulation and chemistry: Getting the compound formula right is a crucial step in the molding process, and this is particularly true when the materials being used are as expensive as FKM.
- Expertise: The rubber molding industry has evolved significantly in recent years. Rubber Industries Inc. use the latest compounds from companies like 3M and DuPont and Chemours.
- We never close: 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks a year.
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Our Work With FKM (Viton) And General Information
FKM is a generic term for flouroelastomers. Brand name formulas like Viton, Dyneon, and other formulas from brand name companies are all FKM variants. DuPont was the first company to manufacture an FKM and patented as the product we all know as Viton, today.
There are many different forms of FKM rubber and they're all classified by their different fluorine content. When a manufacturer changes the amount of fluorine in the base formula of their FKM, they change several major characteristics of the end product and this variability allows it to be adapted for use in a multitude of industries and applications.
FKM is used virtually in every type of segment for the most demanding applications due to it being extremely resistant to chemicals. It's also a very expensive material to use and needs to be handled by experts who know what they're doing. If used properly, it is extremely beneficial for applications that are demanding.
FKM is not a straightforward material to mold - and this is where Rubber Industries, Inc expertise saves you time and money.
Because we build the tools and can account for post bake shrink you get a perfect part the first time which gets you to market faster and with less cost to you.
Other companies rely on third-party manufacturers to produce their tooling and they lose the ability to completely control the quality of your part.
There is also a certain financial and timeline risk involved with manufacturing FKM products if the manufacturer doesn't fully understand the material.
Remember that Rubber Industries is known for being the proven experts in the industry molding millions of FKM (Viton) parts and overmolded parts.
FKM is a generic term for flouroelastomers. Brand name formulas like Viton, Dyneon, and other formulas from brand name companies are all FKM variants. DuPont was the first company to manufacture an FKM and patented as the product we all know as Viton, today.
There are many different forms of FKM rubber and they're all classified by their different fluorine content. When a manufacturer changes the amount of fluorine in the base formula of their FKM, they change several major characteristics of the end product and this variability allows it to be adapted for use in a multitude of industries and applications.
FKM is used virtually in every type of segment for the most demanding applications due to it being extremely resistant to chemicals. It's also a very expensive material to use and needs to be handled by experts who know what they're doing. If used properly, it is extremely beneficial for applications that are demanding.
FKM is not a straightforward material to mold - and this is where Rubber Industries, Inc expertise saves you time and money.
Because we build the tools and can account for post bake shrink you get a perfect part the first time which gets you to market faster and with less cost to you.
Other companies rely on third-party manufacturers to produce their tooling and they lose the ability to completely control the quality of your part.
There is also a certain financial and timeline risk involved with manufacturing FKM products if the manufacturer doesn't fully understand the material.
Remember that Rubber Industries is known for being the proven experts in the industry molding millions of FKM (Viton) parts and overmolded parts.
Custom Molded FKM Pictures
The Uses Of FKM
FKM's high resistance to heat and chemical exposure makes it perfect for the toughest applications.
The oil and petroleum industry uses FKM for all of their oil recovery expeditions and for most of the machinery that processes their recovered petroleum. It's ability to be used in demanding environment applications like an oil field, sets it apart from all other elastomers.
FKM is commonly used for specialty items that require custom injection molding, but our most frequently molded items are:
These custom molded pieces are used across several of the world's most prominent industries. This includes:
FKM's high resistance to heat and chemical exposure makes it perfect for the toughest applications.
The oil and petroleum industry uses FKM for all of their oil recovery expeditions and for most of the machinery that processes their recovered petroleum. It's ability to be used in demanding environment applications like an oil field, sets it apart from all other elastomers.
FKM is commonly used for specialty items that require custom injection molding, but our most frequently molded items are:
- O-rings
- Seals
- Gaskets
- Tubing
- Diaphragms
- Bellows
These custom molded pieces are used across several of the world's most prominent industries. This includes:
- Automotive
- Defense
- Medical
- Industrial
- Consumer
Our Custom Tooling Is Unparalleled
For tooling that is 100% custom and of the highest quality, you don't need to look anywhere besides Rubber Industries. Our specialty is in rubber manufacturing, but we are also known for making the highest quality, most affordable, most durable custom tools on the market.
Our tooling isn't made from easily damaged aluminum. Our competition uses it and it's more costly in the long run than just using solid materials to begin with. The aluminum alternative that our competition uses is prone to breaking, losing its form, and not lasting for long.
On the other hand, our steel tooling is built to be a one time purchase. You don't have to worrying about having to pay for replacements, or having your project stalled while new tooling is made. Our 4130 steel tooling can withstand tens of thousands of production cycles and never lose its form and ruin the tolerances of your items.
Our steel tooling starts off at $850 dollars. T
Industry Leading Speed With Our Rapid Prototyping
We are considered the fastest method to get large quantities of parts fast and economically. We keep our doors open and our manufacturing machines running 24/7. This doesn't exclude holidays and weekends either. We keep our business open at all times.
With other companies, this phase can take weeks to complete.
With Rubber Industries, we have the personnel, experience, and business hours necessary to complete a prototype in as little as one day. This gets you out of the prototyping phase and into the production phase as soon as possible.
For tooling that is 100% custom and of the highest quality, you don't need to look anywhere besides Rubber Industries. Our specialty is in rubber manufacturing, but we are also known for making the highest quality, most affordable, most durable custom tools on the market.
Our tooling isn't made from easily damaged aluminum. Our competition uses it and it's more costly in the long run than just using solid materials to begin with. The aluminum alternative that our competition uses is prone to breaking, losing its form, and not lasting for long.
On the other hand, our steel tooling is built to be a one time purchase. You don't have to worrying about having to pay for replacements, or having your project stalled while new tooling is made. Our 4130 steel tooling can withstand tens of thousands of production cycles and never lose its form and ruin the tolerances of your items.
Our steel tooling starts off at $850 dollars. T
Industry Leading Speed With Our Rapid Prototyping
We are considered the fastest method to get large quantities of parts fast and economically. We keep our doors open and our manufacturing machines running 24/7. This doesn't exclude holidays and weekends either. We keep our business open at all times.
With other companies, this phase can take weeks to complete.
With Rubber Industries, we have the personnel, experience, and business hours necessary to complete a prototype in as little as one day. This gets you out of the prototyping phase and into the production phase as soon as possible.
Custom Molded and Overmolded Viton and FKM Products
Fluorocarbon rubber, or FKM as it is also known, was developed by DuPont in the 1950’s to meet the needs of the growing aerospace industry. Aircraft and rocket manufacturers needed seals capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures while under great pressure, and DuPont chemists responded by creating a fluoroelastomer capable of shrugging off abrasive chemicals and maintaining its properties at temperatures as high as 200 degrees Celsius. DuPont named its new elastomer Viton, and the company still markets four families of Viton products through its Chemours spin-off. Since those early days, the formulas used have been improved several times to provide even greater compression, heat and solvent resistance.
Viton has become a generic term for all FKM compounds, which can make ordering fluorocarbon rubber components difficult for those who have not done their homework. At Rubber Industries Inc., we are familiar with all of the various FKM formulations available and will make suggestions when an alternative to Viton, such as 3M’s Dyneon, may have properties that make it more suitable for a particular application or item.
Fluorocarbon rubber, or FKM as it is also known, was developed by DuPont in the 1950’s to meet the needs of the growing aerospace industry. Aircraft and rocket manufacturers needed seals capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures while under great pressure, and DuPont chemists responded by creating a fluoroelastomer capable of shrugging off abrasive chemicals and maintaining its properties at temperatures as high as 200 degrees Celsius. DuPont named its new elastomer Viton, and the company still markets four families of Viton products through its Chemours spin-off. Since those early days, the formulas used have been improved several times to provide even greater compression, heat and solvent resistance.
Viton has become a generic term for all FKM compounds, which can make ordering fluorocarbon rubber components difficult for those who have not done their homework. At Rubber Industries Inc., we are familiar with all of the various FKM formulations available and will make suggestions when an alternative to Viton, such as 3M’s Dyneon, may have properties that make it more suitable for a particular application or item.
The professionals at Rubber Industries fully understand the need for rapid prototyping when it comes to providing access to versatile and trustworthy products. We are the experts in the industry that you have come to trust over the last 50 years. Because we build the tools and can account for post bake shrink you get a perfect part the first time which gets you to market faster.
We work hard to give you access to the following types of items all year long, using multiple modern injection presses to meet your specific project requirements:
* Seals and Gaskets
* Bellows and Diaphragms
* Grommets
* Custom Molded O-Rings
* Overmolded Products
* Nitrile Overmolded Items
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good idea of some of the most commonly requested items that the manufacturing team at Rubber Industries works hard to provide. We use high volume injection molding to continuously provide you with the materials and equipment you need to perform all of your most important tasks.
Other elastomers rubber we work with include:
* Nitrile
* EPDM
* Neoprene
* FKM or Viton
We work hard to give you access to the following types of items all year long, using multiple modern injection presses to meet your specific project requirements:
* Seals and Gaskets
* Bellows and Diaphragms
* Grommets
* Custom Molded O-Rings
* Overmolded Products
* Nitrile Overmolded Items
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good idea of some of the most commonly requested items that the manufacturing team at Rubber Industries works hard to provide. We use high volume injection molding to continuously provide you with the materials and equipment you need to perform all of your most important tasks.
Other elastomers rubber we work with include:
* Nitrile
* EPDM
* Neoprene
* FKM or Viton
Advantages of FKM
The use of materials made from FKM can offer many unique advantages when it comes to the completion of your next important project. Consider the following benefits associated with the use of FKM as a manufacturing agent:
* Chemical Stability
FKM provides a great deal of stability in its unique chemical makeup. It also does not react strongly to other common chemicals that are frequently found in all types of professional settings.
* Resistance to Extreme Temperatures
Many professional, consumer, and military settings experience a great degree of extreme temperatures. Thankfully, many innovative materials like FKM are quite resistance to frequent and extreme temperature changes.
* Resistance to Weather Aging
Extreme weather conditions can create aging to many different materials. This will cause these materials to wear out far earlier than they should under other circumstances. Materials such as FKM provide exceptional resistance to weather-related aging.
* Resistance to Oily Substances
FKM also displays incredible resistance to oil, grease, and similar fat-based substances. As a result, it can be highly effective in automotive, military, and medical situations.
* Impermeability to Gases
Materials are often exposed to many different types of gases in specific situations. These gases can sometimes cause a breakdown of sensitive materials. Since FKM is fairly impermeable to these gases, it can be useful in many different settings and industries.
How is FKM Used?
Even though FKM is an expensive material you need experts to mold this material into the various items that you require for your projects. Our experienced production team can cater to even the most demanding applications in order to give you access to the items you need to get the job done right each time.
Items made from FKM can be used in both personal and professional settings where long-lasting materials that come into contact with harsh agents are required.
At Rubber Industries, we understand your demand for high-quality items made with utmost precision and skill. Who will you trust with this very expensive material and all the additional items you require access to? Let our 50 plus years of service and experience be your guide when it comes to completing your next urgent project.
The use of materials made from FKM can offer many unique advantages when it comes to the completion of your next important project. Consider the following benefits associated with the use of FKM as a manufacturing agent:
* Chemical Stability
FKM provides a great deal of stability in its unique chemical makeup. It also does not react strongly to other common chemicals that are frequently found in all types of professional settings.
* Resistance to Extreme Temperatures
Many professional, consumer, and military settings experience a great degree of extreme temperatures. Thankfully, many innovative materials like FKM are quite resistance to frequent and extreme temperature changes.
* Resistance to Weather Aging
Extreme weather conditions can create aging to many different materials. This will cause these materials to wear out far earlier than they should under other circumstances. Materials such as FKM provide exceptional resistance to weather-related aging.
* Resistance to Oily Substances
FKM also displays incredible resistance to oil, grease, and similar fat-based substances. As a result, it can be highly effective in automotive, military, and medical situations.
* Impermeability to Gases
Materials are often exposed to many different types of gases in specific situations. These gases can sometimes cause a breakdown of sensitive materials. Since FKM is fairly impermeable to these gases, it can be useful in many different settings and industries.
How is FKM Used?
Even though FKM is an expensive material you need experts to mold this material into the various items that you require for your projects. Our experienced production team can cater to even the most demanding applications in order to give you access to the items you need to get the job done right each time.
Items made from FKM can be used in both personal and professional settings where long-lasting materials that come into contact with harsh agents are required.
At Rubber Industries, we understand your demand for high-quality items made with utmost precision and skill. Who will you trust with this very expensive material and all the additional items you require access to? Let our 50 plus years of service and experience be your guide when it comes to completing your next urgent project.
The Demand for Custom-Created Items
We understand that no two projects are the same. We offer access to the following customization skills so that you get the exact items you need every time:
* Custom Injection Molding
* Custom Tooling
* Custom Colors
* Custom Molded Items
We use many different manufacturing techniques to create the professional and highly customized items required by these various industries. Steel tooling is the most cost effective manner in which we create many of these innovative tools. Other manufacturing techniques include the following:
* Compression Molding
* Transfer Molding
* Custom Silicone Injection Molding
* Rubber Injection Molding
We understand that no two projects are the same. We offer access to the following customization skills so that you get the exact items you need every time:
* Custom Injection Molding
* Custom Tooling
* Custom Colors
* Custom Molded Items
We use many different manufacturing techniques to create the professional and highly customized items required by these various industries. Steel tooling is the most cost effective manner in which we create many of these innovative tools. Other manufacturing techniques include the following:
* Compression Molding
* Transfer Molding
* Custom Silicone Injection Molding
* Rubber Injection Molding
The Advantages of FKM Compounds
Fluoroelastomers like Viton and Dyneon are more expensive than nitrile rubber or neoprene, but they remain extremely popular despite their high cost. Manufacturers in virtually all industries continue to demand FKM compounds because they provide benefits that other formulations simply cannot deliver. These advantages include:
Fluoroelastomers like Viton and Dyneon are more expensive than nitrile rubber or neoprene, but they remain extremely popular despite their high cost. Manufacturers in virtually all industries continue to demand FKM compounds because they provide benefits that other formulations simply cannot deliver. These advantages include:
- Superior heat resistance: Originally developed for jet and rocket engine seals, bellows and O-rings, FKM can withstand constant temperatures of more than 200 degrees Celsius and brief exposure to heat as high as 315 degrees Celsius. This makes the substance an ideal choice for automotive fuel and cooling system components.
- Steam resistance: FKM is not bothered by steam, which has made the substance the preferred choice for residential and commercial cooking applications.
- Long-term savings: While FKM compounds may be expensive, they can save manufacturers money in a number of ways. More durable products that last longer do not have to be replaced as often, which stretches service intervals, lowers maintenance expenses and reduces replacement part costs.
- Chemical and solvent resistance: FKM polymers resist a broader range of fluids than standard fluoroelastomers. They withstand aromatic hydrocarbons and acids as well as oil and steam, which makes them a natural choice for the most demanding applications like engine bays.
- Resistance to high pressures: DuPont developed Viton to provide reliable seals at extreme altitudes, and this aerospace provenance continues to pay dividends. The substance is commonly used today to seal and provide cushioning in the high pressure systems found in facilities ranging from manufacturing plants to oil and natural gas extraction and refining operations.
The Disadvantages of FKM Compounds
While there are many reasons to choose FKM polymers for custom molded or overmolded items, there are factors that should be considered before selecting a substance like Viton or Dyneon for your next project. These factors include:
While there are many reasons to choose FKM polymers for custom molded or overmolded items, there are factors that should be considered before selecting a substance like Viton or Dyneon for your next project. These factors include:
- The price: FKM costs more than other elastomers, so items made out of it usually cost more to produce. However, this is not always the case. At Rubber Industries Inc., we mold thousands of different shapes with Viton or other FKM compounds every day, and our manufacturing efficiencies make using these substances surprisingly affordable. We are the experts in this area, and we have invested millions in recent years into multiple modern injection presses to meet your specific project requirements. These are the latest and most sophisticated machines on the market, and they are designed to reduce waste to an absolute minimum. This can be a very desirable trait when working with substances as expensive as Viton or Dyneon.
- Only moderate low temperature resistance: While coping with soaring temperatures is an FKM defining feature, the substance struggles when exposed to bitter cold. This is because the substances hardens and loses its elasticity when it becomes cold. Standard FKM polymers are suitable for use in temperatures of minus 25 degrees Celsius, but special compounds have been introduced in recent years that retain their properties at far lower temperatures. For example, LTFE 6400X, which is a kind of Dyneon, is suitable for use in temperatures of minus 60 degrees Celsius. Rubber Industries Inc. may suggest using FKM in cold environments when components will be used in static rather than dynamic applications and the compound has been formulated for low temperature exposure.
- FKM can be difficult to work with: FKM is not a straightforward material to mold, and those unfamiliar with its unique properties often find it difficult to produce satisfactory results. Who will you trust with this very expensive material? If you are looking for decades of knowhow, a long list of Fortune 500 clients and experience of hundreds of thousands FKM overmolded to stainless custom parts, save yourself from possible frustration and disappointment by calling Rubber Industries Inc. first.
Choosing the Right FKM Compound
FKM is expensive because it is the result of research and development costing billions and is difficult to produce. It is designed to offer benefits that other elastomers cannot provide, but not all formulations offer the same levels of heat, pressure and fluid resistance. Some FKM formulations are designed for the most demanding environments while others offer less durability for a lower cost. FKMs are divided into classes based on either their fluorine content, their chemical composition or the way their molecules are linked.
FKM is expensive because it is the result of research and development costing billions and is difficult to produce. It is designed to offer benefits that other elastomers cannot provide, but not all formulations offer the same levels of heat, pressure and fluid resistance. Some FKM formulations are designed for the most demanding environments while others offer less durability for a lower cost. FKMs are divided into classes based on either their fluorine content, their chemical composition or the way their molecules are linked.
- Viton: Chemours sells more than 25 different forms of Viton for use in various environments. They are sorted according to their fluorine content, curing method and viscosity. Viton with APA is easier to work with because it offers improved flow and is more resistant to mold. Viton Extreme lacks these features but offers the ultimate protection against high temperatures and abrasive chemicals.
- Dyneon: 3M also sells several forms of Dyneon. Compounds with higher fluorine levels are better at resisting chemicals while lower viscosity formulations are more appropriate for complex or intricate items. How a substance is cured can also affect its performance. Manufacturers concerned about chemical resistance may choose substances cured with peroxide, but Bisphenol-cured polymers provide more impressive compression set resistance.
- FFKM: Perfluoroelastomer contains even more fluoride than traditional FKM, which means that it is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 325 degrees Celsius. It also resists a wide range of corrosive fluids and offers near universal chemical compatibility. However, it is even more expensive than FKM and may not always be required. This is because many of FFKM’s benefits can be obtained for far less by choosing one of the newer DuPont or 3M formulations such as Viton Extreme.
How FKM Components Are Made
Rubber Industries Inc. has developed a reputation in recent years for producing FKM components of the highest quality, but we also offer a wide range of other high volume injection molding services. Other elastomers rubber we work with include nitrile, EPDM, silicone and natural rubber. Our state-of-the-art Minnesota facility uses the compression molding, transfer molding and injection molding processes to create molded items in high volume or low volume production runs, and it is up to our engineers and manufacturing experts to decide the most cost efficient way to proceed. The three processes have a number of advantages and disadvantages that make them either appropriate or unsuitable for molding substances like FKM.
Rubber Industries Inc. has developed a reputation in recent years for producing FKM components of the highest quality, but we also offer a wide range of other high volume injection molding services. Other elastomers rubber we work with include nitrile, EPDM, silicone and natural rubber. Our state-of-the-art Minnesota facility uses the compression molding, transfer molding and injection molding processes to create molded items in high volume or low volume production runs, and it is up to our engineers and manufacturing experts to decide the most cost efficient way to proceed. The three processes have a number of advantages and disadvantages that make them either appropriate or unsuitable for molding substances like FKM.
- Compression Molding: Placing uncured rubber preforms into a heated mold and then closing the mold to cure the preform with heat and pressure is the oldest way to make molded rubber and silicone items, and it is still a good choice for low to medium volume runs of FKM items. This technique is often used for making components out of Viton or Dyneon because it minimizes waste, which is important when expensive polymers are being used. Using the compression method also saves money because tooling can normally be completed quickly so turnaround times are fast. This is an area where Rubber Industries Inc. really shines as we are known for offering the fastest prototyping and custom tooling times in the industry. We also make our tools out of robust stainless steel instead of cheaper but less durable aluminum because steel tooling is the most cost effective solution over the long term. We work hard to make sure that we are the fastest from design to shipping you parts, and we continue to invest millions into the latest presses and machines to make sure that we stay one step ahead of the competition.
- Transfer molding: When molded components are made using the transfer process, the uncured compound is placed into a transfer pot and then pushed into the mold by a heated plunger. This makes the method ideal for complex parts made in molds with many cavities, but it also creates far more flash and waste. This means that the transfer process may not be the best option for FKM components. It is generally seen as offering a good combination of the benefits of the compression and injection processes.
- Injection molding: Custom injection molding is the fastest method to get large quantities of parts fast and economically. The injection process is perfect for mid to high volume runs of rubber or synthetic rubber components in a variety of custom colors as well as rubber to metal overmolded items. The injection process is known for reliably producing consistent molded items, and Rubber Industries Inc. has multiple modern injection presses to meet your specific project goals. Quick high volume capability with injection molding is also ideal when using expensive polymers like FKM because preforms are not needed and flashless molding and tooling keeps waste to an absolute minimum.
Overmolding Components With FKM
FKM is frequently used for overmolding because metal components like gears, rollers, bumpers, stops and shafts that are either partially or completely encapsulated in rubber are often placed in harsh environments or expected to work under great stress. Rubber Industries Inc. has a great deal of experience in this area and has used overmolding techniques on items made out of metal alloys such as aluminum, stainless steel and brass as well as glass and various types of plastic.
Precision is often crucial during overmolding as the components being encapsulated in rubber are generally expected to perform very demanding roles. This is why the high volume injection molding method is how these items are usually made. Custom injection molding is also popular because it can be used to produce items in custom colors, which is a common request when manufacturers want rubber grips or pads to really stand out. However, the overmolding process is delicate and mistakes can be costly. When the bonds formed are not strong enough, the rubber molded onto metal or plastic substrates can peel away and cause failure. This is a huge concern for manufacturers as this kind of issue can ruin reputations for quality and engineering that have taken decades to build. Failing bonds can also be a safety hazard when rubber is molded onto items to prevent injuries or electric shocks.
Rubber Industries Inc. avoids these problems by maintaining the highest manufacturing standards, purchasing the latest and most efficient presses and other equipment and concentrating all of its operations under a single enormous roof. The overmolding process involves the following steps:
FKM is frequently used for overmolding because metal components like gears, rollers, bumpers, stops and shafts that are either partially or completely encapsulated in rubber are often placed in harsh environments or expected to work under great stress. Rubber Industries Inc. has a great deal of experience in this area and has used overmolding techniques on items made out of metal alloys such as aluminum, stainless steel and brass as well as glass and various types of plastic.
Precision is often crucial during overmolding as the components being encapsulated in rubber are generally expected to perform very demanding roles. This is why the high volume injection molding method is how these items are usually made. Custom injection molding is also popular because it can be used to produce items in custom colors, which is a common request when manufacturers want rubber grips or pads to really stand out. However, the overmolding process is delicate and mistakes can be costly. When the bonds formed are not strong enough, the rubber molded onto metal or plastic substrates can peel away and cause failure. This is a huge concern for manufacturers as this kind of issue can ruin reputations for quality and engineering that have taken decades to build. Failing bonds can also be a safety hazard when rubber is molded onto items to prevent injuries or electric shocks.
Rubber Industries Inc. avoids these problems by maintaining the highest manufacturing standards, purchasing the latest and most efficient presses and other equipment and concentrating all of its operations under a single enormous roof. The overmolding process involves the following steps:
- Preparation: Components are prepared for overmolding in two ways. The item is first cleaned and degreased to remove any contaminants that could interfere with the process, and then it is sprayed with a substance that is activated by heat.
- Into the mold: Once it has been prepared and primed, the item to be encapsulated in FKM is placed inside the mold. Chaplet pins or a series of special magnets are used to hold it in place depending upon whether complete or partial encapsulation is desired.
- Curing: The mold is then closed and a combination of heat and pressure vulcanizes the polymer and bonds it to the metal, plastic or glass component. Rubber Industries Inc. are the overmolding leaders, and we generally use the injection process for FKM overmolding because it is the fastest method to get large quantities of parts fast and economically.