An alternative method to 3d printing with silicone is a process called liquid injection molding or lim and when used for silicone also known as liquid silicone rubber injection molding or lsr lim.
Can we 3d print rubber.
Can we 3d print rubber.
For 3d printing you require a material that becomes fluid controllably.
Thermoplastic elastomers also known as tpe s are basically a type of plastic that has been engineered to mimic the crucial qualities that made rubber so attractive.
When rubber vulcanizes it becomes solid and holds its shape.
After undergoing that transformation rubber can never become fluid again.
However rubber will never become fluid again after vulcanizing.
Liquid injection molding is a manufacturing method that molds materials into different shapes and is a method that can produce parts in high volume.
When re heating rubber it will burn.
Amongst many other characteristics that rubber possesses it is an organic material its properties cannot be influenced by external factors.
During vulcanization the rubber becomes solid and firmly holds onto its shape.
The good news is that it is possible to 3d print parts with a rubber like material.
As designers continue to grapple with the possibility of 3d printing rubber we tell you whether it is achievable or not and go into detail discussing alternative rubber like 3d printing materials.
3d printing in our rubber like materials using our fine detail service also gives you a range of shore a values using the polyjet digital materials technology.
3d printed rubber parts can be used in place of molded rubber for just about any application.
In fact these 3d printing materials are excellent substitutes for rubber.
So the fact that rubber undergoes vulcanization for improving its elasticity and strength means that it can never exist in a fluid state.