Common industries that use silicone rolls for a variety of applications include paper and pulp for newspaper printing, commercial printing and paper decoration; industrial manufacturing for printing presses and many types of process and converting equipment for applications such as embossing, laminating and strapping; food and beverage for packaging and bottling applications; electronics for computers, printed circuit boards (PCBs), laser printers and copiers; and poly films for corona processing.

Silicone rubber is a synthetic rubber material that is derived from the same basic skeleton as sand and quartz. Through a series of chemical reactions, these minerals form the basic silicone material. By processing and blending these silicone raw materials during the vulcanization process and cross-linking them, useful products can be formulated, including compounds beneficial to the roll covering industry. Silicone literally means "rubber of the rock". 

Beneficial properties are excellent performance at higher temperatures and very good release characteristics. Drawbacks include limited abrasion resistance and tear resistance. Silicones are often blended with other materials, including Hypalon and EPDM, to improve their toughness while losing little of their beneficial properties. When used properly, silicone is an excellent material for custom molded parts and roller coverings.

This high heat resistance and good release properties make silicone the right choice for many laminating and coating operations.    

Ask us if silicone is right for your application and budget.