Silanes Solutions - Plastics and Rubber - Glossary

To find the definition of a term, click on the corresponding first letter of the word above.

Adhesion. The degree of attachment or bonding of one substance to another.

Autoclave Vulcanization. A method of curing rubber with the use of steam.

Combustible. Capable of uniting with air or oxygen in a reaction initiated by heating, accompanied by the subsequent evolution of heat and light. Capable of burning.

Condensation. The process of changing from a gas or vapor to a liquid.

Contaminants. Something that makes a surface or substance unclean, pollutes, soils, stains from an outside source.

Coverage Rate. Quoted either as square feet covered by a gallon (50 ft2/gal) or as gallons used per square (2 gal/square). (A square is 100 square feet.)

Cure. To change the properties of a plastic or resin by chemical reaction, which, for example, may be condensation, polymerization, or addition; usually accompanied by the action of either heat or catalyst or both, and with or without pressure.

Cure Time. The time required to complete the cure process.

Curing. The degree of vulcanization of the rubber; also known as Heat Aged Curing

Elastomer. A material capable of elongating at least 100% and recovering its original dimensions.

Elongation. Lengthening or stretching ability to accommodate movement.

Extrusion. Continuously forcing rubber through a die that forms it into the desired size and shape.

Flash Point. The flash point of a liquid is the lowest temperature of the liquid at which it gives off vapor sufficient to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or within the vessel used.

FSR. Fluorosilicone Rubber

FVMQ. ASTM standard for silicone that has good oil and fuel resistivity (Fluorosilicone Rubber); VMQ is the ASTM standard for general purpose and high strength silicone rubber

HCR. High Consistency Rubber (Heat Cured Rubber)

Heat Aged Curing. The degree of vulcanization of the rubber.

HVA/Hot-Air Vulcanization. A method of curing rubber with the use of hot air.

Impact Resistance. Ability to withstand mechanical or physical abuse under severe service conditions. Resistance to blows, bumps and shocks incidental to use.

Injection Molding. A process for curing or molding parts by injection of rubber into a cavity.

LSR. Liquid Silicone Rubber

Molding/Moulding. The method of heat curing rubber by using compression, transfer or injection molding equipment.

MQ. ASTM standard for general purpose and high strength silicone rubber; also known as VMQ

PMQ. ASTM standard for extreme low temperature service silicone rubber; also known as PVMQ

Polymer. A chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed essentially of repeating structural units.

PVMQ. ASTM standard for extreme low temperature service silicone rubber

Scorch. The premature vulcanization of the rubber - before the flow of rubber in the mold is complete.

Solids Content. The percentage of nonvolatile matter that may be measured in volume orweight.

Solvent. Any substance, usually a liquid, that dissolves other substances. Incoatings, normally a liquid organic compound used to make a fluid coating applymore freely.

Tensile Strength. The force per unit area that is applied at the time of rupture of the specimen. It is calculated by dividing the breaking force in pounds by the cross-section of the unstretched specimen in square inches.

Transfer Molding. Unvulcanized rubber is placed in a chamber (called a pot), usually at the top of the mold, and the assembly is placed in a press. The press applies pressure to a piston-like plug in the open end of the pot, clamping the halves of the mold together and forcing the rubber to flow through the heated mold.

Viscosity. The property of resistance to flow exhibited within the body of a material.

VMQ. ASTM standard for general purpose and high strength silicone rubber

Vulcanization. The rubber cures when it is heated to the required temperature; peroxide decomposes to form free radicals that react with the organic groups in the silicone polymer.