Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Sustainable Plastics
  • Rubber News
Subscribe
  • Sign Up Free
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Processor News
    • Suppliers
    • More News
    • Digital Edition
    • End Markets
    • Special Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Resin pricing news
    • Videos
    • Injection Molding
    • Blow Molding
    • Film & Sheet
    • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
    • Rotomolding
    • Thermoforming
    • Recycling
    • Machinery
    • Materials
    • Molds/Tooling
    • Product news
    • Design
    • K Show
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Sustainability
    • Public Policy
    • Material Insights Videos
    • Numbers that Matter
    • Automotive
    • Packaging
    • Medical
    • Consumer Products
    • Construction
    • Processor of the Year
    • Best Places to Work
    • Women Breaking the Mold
    • Rising Stars
    • Diversity
    • Most Interesting Social Media Accounts in Plastics
  • Opinion
    • The Plastics Blog
    • Kickstart
    • One Good Resin
    • Pellets and Politics
    • All Things Data
    • Viewpoint
    • From Pillar to Post
    • Perspective
    • Mailbag
    • Fake Plastic Trees
  • Shop Floor
    • Blending
    • Compounding
    • Drying
    • Injection Molding
    • Purging
    • Robotics
    • Size Reduction
    • Structural Foam
    • Tooling
    • Training
  • Events
    • K Show Livestream
    • Plastics News Events
    • Industry Events
    • Injection Molding & Design Expo
    • Livestreams/Webinars
    • Editorial Livestreams
    • Ask the Expert
    • Plastics News Events Library
    • Processor of the Year submissions
    • Plastics News Executive Forum
    • Injection Molding & Design Expo
    • Plastics News Caps & Closures
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
    • Plastics in Automotive
    • PN Live: Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Polymer Points Live
    • Numbers that Matter Live
    • Plastics in Politics Live
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Plastics Caps & Closures Library
    • Plastics in Healthcare Library
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
  • Rankings & Data
    • Injection Molders
    • Blow Molders
    • Film Sheet
    • Thermoformers
    • Pipe Profile Tubing
    • Rotomolders
    • Mold/Toolmakers
    • LSR Processors
    • Recyclers
    • Compounders - List
    • Association - List
    • Plastic Lumber - List
    • All
  • Directory
  • Resin Prices
    • Commodity TPs
    • High Temp TPs
    • ETPs
    • Thermosets
    • Recycled Plastics
    • Historic Commodity Thermoplastics
    • Historic High Temp Thermoplastics
    • Historic Engineering Thermoplastics
    • Historic Thermosets
    • Historic Recycled Plastics
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • LS Mtron Sponsored Content
    • Conair Sponsored Content
    • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
    • ENGEL Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • Sign up for Early Classified
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
February 09, 2017 01:00 AM

Rogan specializes in when to use LSR vs. other soft materials

Jennifer Karpus-Romain
LSR World
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Reprints Print
    Rogan Corp.
    Some of the most common uses of LSR are for products like medical equipment.

    Northbrook, Ill. — Molding technology has grown rapidly over the past few decades, expanding its capabilities in many markets. The integration of soft materials has changed the game for manufacturers and end users alike.

    Many soft materials can bond to both other soft materials and hard materials. Their bonding abilities give designers an expanded freedom to create a different form of molded products.

    One material revolutionizing the market is liquid silicone rubber because it expands capabilities, while decreasing the need for some secondary operation, according to an official at Rogan Corp., a molder of elastomers and thermoplastics.

    Some of the most common uses of LSR are for handling and the operation of products, such as grips for everything from surgical instruments to hand-held electronic devices.

    Utilizing this material can save manufacturers both time and money, but device makers must determine when LSR is preferable to other soft materials.

    Ritzema

    Benefits

    LSRs are typically used when a customer has biocompatible or temperature application requirements, said Jim Ritzema, Rogan's director of new product development. For silicones, he said Rogan only processes LSRs.

    When manufacturers reach out to Rogan for help with product development, Ritzema said they first ask them if their application requires LSR because it's a material that gives manufacturers options. For example, it's a transparent material with the option to add color if needed.

    “It keeps its properties at high and low temperatures,” Ritzema added.

    LSR also is beneficial because it can be a medical grade that contains the following attributes: thermal stability; low compression set; excellent mold flow; minimal flash; autoclavable; and implantable.

    Comparison

    When selecting a soft material, Ritzema advises manufacturers to work closely with molders and mold builders for optimal results because they have knowledge of how each material performs.

    Some of the most common soft materials in the market today include: LSRs, RTVs (room temperature vulcanization silicone), HCR (high consistency silicone rubber), EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) and PVC compounds.

    Beyond material characteristics, manufacturers also should pay attention to both material price and the overall cost of a project. Adding new materials to production may require additional tooling costs. Consulting experts, from the molder to the material supplier, will help guide a manufacturer to select the best soft material for their needs.

    Each soft material has its own attributes and is best suited for different applications.

    When needing a biocompatible option, manufacturers should look at LSR, HCR or soft PVC, he said. For a material with chemical resistant properties, LSRs and RTVs are suitable. They both also have excellent mold flow properties with a low compression set.

    For instance, LSRs are resistant to compression sets, keeping its shape where a thermoplastic elastomer eventually would form to the set. The LSR material does not compromise the seal because it will not compress over time.

    Beyond its inherent capabilities, the major function of LSRs serve the medical market because it's a medical grade product, whereas other soft materials are not.

    “We needed to expand our quality procedures so we could become ISO 13485 registered,” Ritzema said about Rogan's medical grade LSR.

    However, if a manufacturer does not need a medical grade product, they should not pay for it, he said. Some of the characteristics to pay attention to when choosing the material is temperatures, tolerances and bonding requirements.

    Ritzema said there is no benefit in choosing the most technically advanced product if a less expensive one meets the manufacturer's and end user's needs.

    Markets

    As stated, LSRs are most notable in the medical market.

    “There are so many great attributes to LSR that lends itself to medical devices,” said Ritzema.

    LSRs can provide a seal into medical device products or cases. LSRs also can be sterilized, so products previously were disposable do not need to be anymore, saving the end user money. Because of its sterilization capabilities, there are huge growth opportunities for LSRs in medical products, such as grips, handles and soft-touch buttons, he said.

    Beyond medical devices, Ritzema said there are dental applications that also benefit from LSR. For instance, Rogan worked on a grip for a dental scraper that allows for comfortable use and for a way for the water to travel up.

    Ritzema also said there are potential opportunities in the automotive and technology markets.

    While automotive is typically an HCR market, he said, there are some applications that warrant LSR. The company has not yet embarked into automotive, but he knows there are suitable applications.

    Additionally, while Rogen has not yet produced molds for the technology market, Ritzema has seen LSR used in cell phone and speaker covers because of its good UV protection and abrasion resistance.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Conference covers advances in materials, machinery, cold runners
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

    Most Popular
    1
    Redline buys Georgia-based Quality Holdings
    2
    Mattress maker Purple continues fight against takeover
    3
    Ineos workers in Ohio on strike
    4
    Redline's ‘outrageous cultural behaviors' retain top employees
    5
    Material Insights: Polypropylene production — both virgin and recycled — in the spotlight
    SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe today

    Subscribe to Plastics News

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI 48207-2997

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1723

    Resources
    • About
    • Staff
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Media Kit
    • Data Store
    • Digital Edition
    • Custom Content
    • People
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Sitemap
    Related Crain Publications
    • Sustainable Plastics
    • Rubber News
    • Tire Business
    • Urethanes Technology
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Processor News
        • Injection Molding
        • Blow Molding
        • Film & Sheet
        • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
        • Rotomolding
        • Thermoforming
        • Recycling
      • Suppliers
        • Machinery
        • Materials
        • Molds/Tooling
        • Product news
        • Design
      • More News
        • K Show
        • Mergers & Acquisitions
        • Sustainability
        • Public Policy
        • Material Insights Videos
        • Numbers that Matter
      • Digital Edition
      • End Markets
        • Automotive
        • Packaging
        • Medical
        • Consumer Products
        • Construction
      • Special Reports
        • Processor of the Year
        • Best Places to Work
        • Women Breaking the Mold
        • Rising Stars
        • Diversity
        • Most Interesting Social Media Accounts in Plastics
      • Newsletters
      • Resin pricing news
      • Videos
    • Opinion
      • The Plastics Blog
      • Kickstart
      • One Good Resin
      • Pellets and Politics
      • All Things Data
      • Viewpoint
      • From Pillar to Post
      • Perspective
      • Mailbag
      • Fake Plastic Trees
    • Shop Floor
      • Blending
      • Compounding
      • Drying
      • Injection Molding
      • Purging
      • Robotics
      • Size Reduction
      • Structural Foam
      • Tooling
      • Training
    • Events
      • K Show Livestream
      • Plastics News Events
        • Plastics News Executive Forum
        • Injection Molding & Design Expo
        • Plastics News Caps & Closures
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
        • Plastics in Automotive
      • Industry Events
      • Injection Molding & Design Expo
      • Livestreams/Webinars
        • PN Live: Mergers and Acquisitions
      • Editorial Livestreams
        • Polymer Points Live
        • Numbers that Matter Live
        • Plastics in Politics Live
        • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Ask the Expert
      • Plastics News Events Library
        • Plastics Caps & Closures Library
        • Plastics in Healthcare Library
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
      • Processor of the Year submissions
    • Rankings & Data
      • Injection Molders
      • Blow Molders
      • Film Sheet
      • Thermoformers
      • Pipe Profile Tubing
      • Rotomolders
      • Mold/Toolmakers
      • LSR Processors
      • Recyclers
      • Compounders - List
      • Association - List
      • Plastic Lumber - List
      • All
    • Directory
    • Resin Prices
      • Commodity TPs
        • Historic Commodity Thermoplastics
      • High Temp TPs
        • Historic High Temp Thermoplastics
      • ETPs
        • Historic Engineering Thermoplastics
      • Thermosets
        • Historic Thermosets
      • Recycled Plastics
        • Historic Recycled Plastics
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • LS Mtron Sponsored Content
      • Conair Sponsored Content
      • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
      • ENGEL Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • Sign up for Early Classified