EFFECT OF CYCLIC HEATING ON SILICONE RUBBER MATERIALS FOR ELASTOMERIC TOOLING

摘要

Elastomeric tooling (ET) is used to fabricate composite parts of various sizes and shapes, in orderrnto either intensify or redistribute the pressure during a molding cycle. The material properties ofrnfour commercial ET materials exposed to the actual temperature and pressure cycles followed tornmanufacture composite parts, and in presence of a composite material laminate were measured, inrnorder to assess the material’s longevity under actual service conditions, and ultimately reduce partrndefects due to ET used beyond its optimal conditions. Employing standard test methods and morernrecent equipment, the property changes were measured in the following properties: dimensions;rnhardness; Young’s modulus; compressive stress-strain slope, and strain; color; mark-off.rnTwo types of material response were detected: a) KE1310ST, M4641 featured the most shrinkage,rnand became harder and stiffer in tension and compression than TC40, and V-340; b) TC40, V-340rnshowed the least shrinkage, and became softer and less stiff in tension and compression thanrnKE1310ST, and M4641. In all materials shrinkage, hardness, and color displayed a change raterndecreasing with number of thermal cycles, differently from the other properties. Mark-off werernabsent in all materials.