Rubber Compression Molding: Compounds, Mold Design, Curing
Rubber parts production through compression molding.
Rubber Molding
Compression molding is the oldest method for rubber parts. NBR: oil seals, O-rings. EPDM: weather seals, gaskets. Silicone (VMQ): high-temp, medical. FKM (Viton): extreme chemical/high-temp. Mold pre-heat to 150-190C. Cure time 5-20 min depending on section thickness. Draft angle 2-5 degrees for demolding. Shrinkage: 1.5-3% depending on compound.
| Rubber | Temp | Hardness | Tensile | Cost/kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBR | 150-170C | 50-90 A | 10-20 MPa | $3-5 |
| EPDM | 160-175C | 40-80 A | 8-16 MPa | $2.5-4 |
| Silicone | 165-185C | 30-80 A | 6-12 MPa | $8-15 |
| FKM | 170-190C | 60-90 A | 10-18 MPa | $25-50 |