Appliance Design - May 2008 - (Page 28)

ELASTOMERS Silicone: A Universe of Possibilities “Imagine what can be done with silicone material.” That is the theme of a Web site operated by Dow Corning that asks designers to “expand, explore and inspire” the use of silicones. Dow Corning’s Design Studio Web site, at www.dowcorning.com/design, has been established to link designers with the resources and expertise that they need. “Designers should understand that silicones are not just elastomers,” says Chip Reeves, director, Design Programs, Dow Corning. “The amazing design options found in silicone elastomers are also available in many different forms including foams, films, composite textiles and coatings additives. The broad family of silicone science has many potential uses in appliance design. If designers only know silicones as elastomers, they are missing the opportunities in design.” On the site, designers can utilize a materials database that offers designers information on available materials. Choices can be narrowed by the required properties, and other information to help designers come up with the materials that are needed for a particular application. Other features of the web site include a concept sketchbook, design gallery, and an area to help companies working on green design. Here, designers can find information on environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, manufacturing by-product recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy and carbon sequestration efforts. “We still have most of our information and resources trapped deeply in engineering-oriented web sites and brochures,” says Reeves, in a story on the site that he co-authored with Chris Lefteri, a product designer and author. “Our challenge is to unlock this information and make it accessible.” < Dow Corning’s clear, uncured liquid silicone rubber being poured from a container. achieved that is comparable to those offered by commercial peroxide curable fluorosilicone heat-cured rubber (FVMQ). According to Tim Angle, Momentive’s global marketing manager for consumer goods, appliances, the fluorine atom gives the material the extra chemical resistance. This resistance is measured as a rate of swell, and the rate of improvement has been dramatic. In the past, some silicone elastomers exposed to toluene would swell to twice their size. Now, that swelling rate is about 35 percent, says Angle. Another strength of the material is its cus- tomizability, says Steve Bruner, marketing director with NuSil Technology, Carpinteria, Calif. As mentioned above, silicone chemistry can be modified to impart chemical resistance or enhance thermal performance. Silicones can also incorporate large volumes of fillers such as colors, electrically and thermally conductive additives, without changes to the elastomeric properties. The material can come in an array of material forms: fluids, adhesives, gels and elastomers for lubrication, bonding, dampening, and the formation of molded and extruded parts. Color can be added to the translucent material with little changes to 28 applianceDESIGN May 2008 www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.dowcorning.com/design http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - May 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch New and Notable Displays & Indicators Elastomers Quality & Standards Indoor Air Quality IHHS Highlights New Products Classifieds Design Marts Advertiser’s Index Association Report: PSMA

Appliance Design - May 2008

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