Caoutchouc de silicone liquide optique :un nouvel élément dans le moulage

Nous proposons de nombreux procédés de fabrication et matériaux pour les pièces prototypes et de production. Mais un processus a un matériau qui se sépare du reste, le caoutchouc de silicone liquide optique (OLSR). L'OLSR est un matériau avancé qui possède de nombreuses propriétés qui en font un choix de matériau préféré par rapport au polycarbonate (PC) et à l'acrylique (PMMA) pour l'éclairage et les pièces optiques. Voici quelques-uns des avantages offerts par OLSR :

Transmission de la lumière

La transmission de la lumière est perdue lorsque la lumière traverse un matériau. Le PC, le PMMA et même le verre subiront une perte de lumière, le verre retenant jusqu'à 95 %, le PMMA environ 93 % et le PC entre 88 et 90 %. Lorsque votre produit nécessite une pièce PC ou PMMA transparente, vous pouvez améliorer la transmission de la lumière à l'aide de l'OLSR, qui conserve jusqu'à 94 % de transmission de la lumière. Et l'indice de réfraction ? L'OLSR a un faible indice de réfraction de 1,42 par rapport au PC et au PMMA, qui sont respectivement à 1,58 et 1,49.

Encore un autre avantage est le facteur de non-jaunissement. Thermoplastics without additives are not UV resistant, which means the parts could yellow and degrade over long exposures to lights and sunlight. OLSR is non-yellowing so it’s great for outdoor fixtures exposed to harsh environments. Heat and Chemical Resistance Because OLSR is durable under temperatures that may be close to exceeding 300°F (150°C), and able to withstand many chemicals that may break down thermoplastics, you can use OLSR in high-power light fixtures, solar power, outdoor fixtures, LED lighting, cleaning fixtures, and many other environments where PC and PMMA may fail.

Injection Molding Resilience

In plastic design, thick and thin parts are not easily achieved without sacrifice. That doesn’t necessarily ring true with OLSR design. You can achieve thick and thin geometries that oftentimes can be as thin as 0.010 in. (0.25mm) and as thick as 2 in. (50mm), all within the same part geometry because you don’t have issues with material flow, sink, or voids.

OLSR is extremely resilient against the molding issue that frequently create problems with thermoplastics, including the ability to create micro details. You also can design in negative draft angles without the need for expensive tooling that normally requires lifters, collapsible cores, and side-actions.

When to Use

As you learn about the benefits of OLSR, the applications where you can use OLSR are numerous:

• Reducing part count in your design with built-in gaskets
• Lenses of all types
• Lightpipes or guides
• Marine and wet environments
• Outdoor and indoor light fixtures
• Low- and high-heat environments
• High impact parts

To learn more about  optical liquid silicone molding and other molding, machining, and 3D printing services at Protolabs, visit protolabs.com . You can also contact us at  [email protected] or 877.479.7541 to speak with one of our knowledgeable applications engineers.