It is normal if you have questions about the silicone membrane sheet. You need to fully understand them before installing one piece for your vacuum membrane presses. 

Silicone is an amazing and versatile synthetic material that has earned its place in industrial settings. Not only does it have heat-resistant properties, but it also has a high resistance to UV light and chemicals – making it one of the most powerful materials for a broad range of vacuum forming applications.

In this blog post, I’m going to show you the best silicone membrane sheet for vacuum membrane presses. We will also provide tailored advice to help you choose the right one for composite industries.

Now, here we go!

What Is A Silicone Membrane Sheet?

A silicone membrane sheet is a thin, flexible, and transparent sheet made from high-strength silicone rubber, primarily utilized in the shaping and thermoforming processes of solid surface sheets and thermoplastic materials in vacuum membrane presses.

You can use them to fit into various wood laminations and even in composite industries, including the aerospace and automotive sectors. 

Why Are Silicone Membrane Sheets in Great Demand?

Silicone sheets are consistently a popular choice for many applications. Let’s take a look at the impressive features that make them so desirable!

1) Physical features.

Silicon membranes have a high level of wear resistance. Its elasticity to preserve its shape after experiencing a lot of stress is accountable for this. 

Additionally, silicone vacuum membranes exhibit strong resistance to electricity and water.

2) Color options for insignificant impact.

Colors improve aesthetic attractiveness. Silicone rubber sheets are available in many different colors depending on your request. 

However, colors never impact on your normal use. Sometimes, it is just used to distinguish between different manufacturers.

3) Rubber sheeting grades.

Silicon sheets come in a variety of qualities. They include both soft and hard rubber boards. Choose thin gauge silicon rubber sheeting if you need them for thermoforming solid surfaces. 

Yet, you would need to speak with experienced silicone rubber sheet suppliers. They would help you choose a vacuum table membrane that fits your demands.

4) Silicone rubber membranes are available at affordable prices.

Who wouldn’t want to get high-quality goods at the lowest possible cost? Given this, there is a massive demand for silicone sheeting. 

You can buy these membranes at very reasonable prices from a genuine supplier like Deer Hunter.

What Are the Top Considerations about a Silicone Membrane Sheet?

Silicone diaphragms are perfect for both industrial and domestic purposes. It is due to their abrasive nature.

It is also because of their exceptional chemical and physical characteristics. They are reliable in both high and low temperatures. It is because they can conserve temperature. 

Silicon rubber membranes remain resilient even in the toughest conditions, whereas PVCs can be compromised by a variety of factors. This gives silicone an advantage when it comes to durability and long-term reliability.

1) Heat Resistance

Silicon membranes provide exceptional heat resistance when compared to other rubbers. It is because of the inherent qualities of the rubber constituting them. 

So, it makes them excellent materials for applications requiring high working temperature till 250℃.

2) Weathering Resistance

The rubber used in making silicone membrane sheets has high weather resistance. Standard organic rubbers degrade in the presence of the ozone atmosphere. 

Yet, silicone rubbers are almost resistant. Their characteristics hardly alter. It stays intact even after exposing to weathering for an extended period.

3) Cold Resistance

Silicone membranes are capable of withstanding shallow temperatures. As you know, quality silicone rubber can withstand frigid temperatures of roughly -60 to -70 degrees Celsius. 

Likewise, organic rubbers are not as resistant to such low temperatures.

4) Thermal Conductivity

Silicone membranes have excellent heat conductivity. Since they exhibit great thermal conduction, you can use them as heat sink. You can also deploy them as heating rollers.

5) Electrical Properties

Silicon rubber membranes have outstanding insulation qualities. These qualities hold up well at high frequencies and temperatures. 

Moreover, when you submerge them in water or another liquid, they do not show a change in features.

It is why they are ideal for use as electrical insulators. Also, you can use them as insulators for high voltages that need resistance.

6) Resistance to Steam

Long-term submersion of silicone membrane sheets in water reveals their low absorption capacity. However, they keep their electrical characteristics and have high tensile strength. 

So, these membrane sheets do not lose any qualities when they touch steam.

Under high-pressure steam at temperatures above 150 degrees Celsius, siloxane polymer degrades.

7) Resistance to Oil Solvents and Chemicals

At extreme temperatures, silicone membrane sheets offer excellent oil resistance. At temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, they offer more excellent resistance to oil. 

Yet, they might perform worse at temperatures below that. Excellent chemical and solvent resistance is another feature of silicone membrane sheets.

8) High Tensile and Tear Strength

The silicone rubbers have a 11.5MPA tear strength. Therefore, you should enhance the polymer. You can choose suitable fillers to get high elasticity.

These materials work best when creating large, complex molds. They also work best in creating reverse-tapered mold cavities requiring more elasticity.

9) Incombustibility

When you bring silicone membrane sheets near flames, they burn slowly. Although, once they start burning, they don’t stop. 

You can ask the supplier to use silicone rubbers that can become incombustible and fire-resistant. They can do this by mixing tiny amounts of flame retardant in it.

A Buyer’s Guide Before Purchasing Silicone Membrane Sheets

Make sure you consider the following aspects before purchasing silicone membrane sheets.

1) Size

Before buying one, you must know the sheet size required to cover the table’s area. So you can avoid shortages and inconveniences while working on your solid surface materials. You must measure the workpiece’s surface area and thickness.

2) Thickness

It’s crucial to take the rubber’s thickness into account. It will help you when purchasing silicone membrane sheets, and reduce the number of sheets available for selection.

3) Temperature

Working temperature of your vacuum membrane is another element to consider. It is because temperature resistance differs across them. Thus, you must take into account for all types of vacuum membrane presses with working temperature till 250°C.

4) Abrasion Resistance

Different rubber formulas have varying degrees of resilience to abrasion. A rubber’s abrasion resistance is its capacity to endure mechanical activity. This activity removes material from its surface.

Silicone membrane sheets offer different high abrasion resistance in all their applications. Therefore, we need to consider this aspect before buying a silicone membrane sheet.

5) Hardness

You can refer to it as the rubber’s shore durometer. Like thermoforming silicone, some rubbers come in extensive ranges of durometers. Others are only available in a limited range.

6) Surface Finish

The appropriate surface finish for dynamic surfaces is 5 to 16 inches. Rougher and smoother surfaces can cause more friction and shorten the sheet’s lifespan. In static applications, you can use harsher finishes up to 64 inches.

7) Cost

It is essential to check if the silicone membrane sheet fits into your budget. First, you should check in with the customer service representatives. 

You will then know if you can afford silicone membrane sheets for different types of vacuum membrane presses.

How to Use a Silicone Membrane Sheet for Vacuum Membrane Presses?

Step 1: Check the sheet

Before placing the silicone membrane sheet, make sure it is unbroken and free of flaws. When fastening the silicone sheet to the metal frame, ensure you do not fold it. 

Avoid fixing it too tight while fastening it to the metal frame.

Step 2: Work on the main surface

Put talc powder on the silicone membrane sheet’s flat side since that is the surface you will be working on every time. It will lessen surface friction and the electrostatic effect. 

While working, arrange the cushion and ensure it stays on the work surface.

Step 3: Fix components at appropriate places

Fix upper wooden components around 15 cm away from the metal frame. Additionally, you should install door panels around 10 cm away from the metal frames. 

You cannot press the door panels and other components again once you have cut the sheets.

Step 4: Ensure the correct pump pressure

Stop the vacuum membrane presses when the pump pressure is low, or you hear an unusual noise.

Step 5: Finish the task

Disassemble it after all the air has been released and resolve any problems you find.

Tips on Using a Silicone Membrane Sheet for Vacuum Press

Taking proper care and caution before handling silicone membrane sheets would be best. 

It is because you want to avoid damaging these sheets before using them. Here are some ways you can handle silicone sheets.

1) Keep them away from Oil and Other Organic Solvents.

Keep silicone membrane sheets away from substances that could harm them. These substances include oils, acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.

2) Keep them away from the sun.

Make sure you keep the sunlight out of reach of your sheets since it can harm membrane sheets.

3) Carefully examine the packaging.

Always double-check the packaging. It will help ensure that the silicone membrane sheets’ package is in good shape. Please feel free to ask your provider for replacements.

4) Make sure they are correctly packed.

Make sure your silicone membrane sheets are rolled up or correctly folded. It will help you to store them properly within carton boxes.

Area of Applications

In the past ten years, Deer Hunter has been focusing constantly on customers’ requests. The key to our success is that we are developing unique products to meet multiple applications.

1) Vacuum Membrane Presses

In the traditional furniture and woodworking industry, vacuum membrane presses are increasingly being used in the aviation, automotive, composites, rigid foil lamination, plastic processing and sublimation industries. In the process of vacuum forming, high tear strength silicone membranes are involved.

2) Laminating of PVC foil

PVC foil is a lamination film, used for indoor decoration and furniture production, like Furniture doors, Kitchen cabinet doors, Wall panels, Plywood, etc. We offer silicon sheet membranes for the thermoforming of solid surface, and thermoplastic materials.

3) Wood Veneering

Thanks to the reliability and elasticity of our silicone and rubber membranes, working with some of the industry leaders in cabinet manufacturing and veneering. You can trust our silicone rubber membranes used in the production of wood veneer and thermofoil door panels in the woodworking industry.

4) Glass Lamination

Depending on durability, temperature resistance and elongation properties, the membrane with an elongation of up to 860% can be used as the basic material of a silicone vacuum bag, which is widely used in the process of making laminated glass.

5) Solar Panels Lamination

Some customers are also choosing our thickness 3mm silicone sheet for their solar panels lamination due to its high temperature resistance. Here, we do not recommend it. For we have a better choice for your selection.

FAQs

1) Where Are High-Temperature Silicone Rubber Sheets Used?

Silicon rubber sheets are incredibly adaptable instruments. As a result, you can utilize them in various types of vacuum membrane presses.

2) Which Material Is Most Commonly Used In Vacuum Forming?

High tear-resistant silicone membrane is the best vacuum press material. Silicone sheets can withstand working temperature till 250 degrees Celsius.

3) How Long Does Silicone Membrane Last?

The lifespan of a silicone membrane is about 5 years. That’s 5 years of shielding the current material from more harm.

4) What Can Damage Silicone?

Relatively few conditions can harm silicones. That’s because they are chemically inert. 

Materials that can harm silicone include concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid. Prolonged exposure to high-pressure steam is also one of them.

5) Is Silicone Rubber Durable?

Silicone rubber is an exceptionally durable material. In addition, it is reliable. Due to its longevity and elasticity, you can rely upon it for a very long period.

Final Thoughts

That’s all about silicone membrane sheets for vacuum presses. 

We offer the best silicone membrane sheets available. We can plan, produce, and deliver the highest-quality silicone rolls. In addition, our silicone membrane sheets are very affordable.

We work with customers to design and create silicone solutions. We do this while having access to a wide selection of silicone grades. You can use these solutions for many applications and unique needs. 

Now, It’s your turn.

For more information, please send messages according to the right table, or contact us via your sales associate, our contact form, our mobile/WhatsApp number +86-13823789007, or email us at sales@cndeerhunter.com