Self-Lubricating (Oil-Bleeding) Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) for Reduced Friction Applications

Welcome to our product page for Self-Lubricating Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), also widely known as Oil-Bleeding Liquid Silicone Rubber. This advanced class of silicone material is specifically engineered to provide a continuously low-friction surface, significantly reducing wear, minimizing noise, and extending the service life of components that operate in dynamic contact or demanding sealing applications. By incorporating a specially formulated silicone oil that migrates to the surface over time, these materials effectively eliminate the need for external lubrication in many cases, offering a clean, reliable, and long-lasting solution.

How Self-Lubricating LSR Works

Our self-lubricating LSR formulations contain a controlled amount of specialized silicone oil that is evenly dispersed within the cured silicone matrix. Following the molding process, this internal oil slowly migrates or "bleeds" to the surface of the molded part. This continuous process creates a thin, durable, and regenerative lubricating film that actively reduces the coefficient of friction between the silicone component and any contacting surfaces. The sustained migration of oil ensures that lubrication is maintained throughout the operational life of the part.

Key Benefits of Our Self-Lubricating LSR

Leveraging the unique properties of our oil-bleeding LSR provides several significant advantages for component design and performance:

• Reduced Friction: Provides a consistently low coefficient of friction, minimizing resistance and energy loss in dynamic applications.

• Extended Component Lifespan: The significant reduction in friction and wear leads to dramatically longer component life and decreased requirements for maintenance or replacement.

• Eliminates External Lubrication: In many suitable applications, the need for messy, inconvenient, or potentially contaminating external oils or greases is removed, simplifying assembly and enhancing product cleanliness.

• Reduced Noise: Lower friction often translates directly to quieter operation in moving assemblies, improving user experience.

• Clean Operation: Without external lubricants, parts and surrounding areas remain clean, which is critically important in sensitive industries like medical devices, food processing, or electronics.

• Design Simplification: Enables simpler and more cost-effective designs by removing the need for lubrication channels, external reservoirs, or complex application methods for lubricants.

• Inherently Silicone Properties: Retains the excellent temperature resistance, chemical resistance, UV stability, and electrical insulation properties inherent to silicone rubber.

Product Grades and Technical Data

We offer a range of self-lubricating LSR grades with varying hardness (Shore A) and mechanical properties to suit diverse application needs. The specific oil content, which is a key factor determining the level and longevity of lubrication, can often be tailored to meet precise application requirements. Below are typical properties for some of our standard grades:

Note: The values presented in this table are typical properties for our standard self-lubricating grades. The optimal oil content is a critical design parameter and is typically specified based on the requirements of the specific application, including load, speed, mating material, and environment. Please consult the official technical data sheet for precise specification limits and discuss your specific needs with our technical team to determine the ideal grade and oil content.

Typical Applications for Self-Lubricating LSR

This advanced material is ideally suited for a wide range of components that require low friction, reduced wear, and clean operation in dynamic or contact situations, including:

• Dynamic Seals, Gaskets, and O-rings in pumps, valves, and cylinders

• Automotive Seals (e.g., moving seals in windows, sunroofs, fuel systems)

• Medical Device Components (e.g., syringe plunger tips, peristaltic pump tubing, valve seals, sealing components in drug delivery systems)

• Appliance Parts requiring smooth movement (e.g., seals, sliders in drawers or dispensers)

• Consumer Goods where silent and smooth operation is desired (e.g., hinges, sliders)

• Bushings and Bearings for light to moderate loads

• Connectors and Grommets requiring easy, low-force insertion and removal

• Components used in pneumatic and hydraulic systems

Efficiently Processed via Liquid Injection Molding (LIM)

Our self-lubricating LSR grades are specifically formulated for efficient and high-precision processing using Liquid Injection Molding (LIM). This allows for cost-effective, high-volume manufacturing of complex parts with consistent quality.

Find the Right Self-Lubricating Solution for Your Application

Ready to eliminate external lubrication, reduce friction, and significantly improve the performance and lifespan of your dynamic components? Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your application, including the operating environment, required friction level, load conditions, and mating materials. We can provide detailed technical data sheets, offer expert application support, and assist you in selecting or developing a self-lubricating LSR grade with the optimal oil content for your needs. Request samples to test the superior benefits firsthand. Our technical team is dedicated to providing tailored material solutions.