Choosing the right materials for your application

Material selection for a particular application encompasses complex interaction between the function of the component, the manufacturing process, the cost and shape of the component among other factors. It is therefore important to have a wide understanding of material properties as well as their processing features. We will share how and why we should always pair the materials and processes.

The component’s function should be clearly defined so as to identify the requirements for a given application. E.g. Understanding its peak operating temperatures or if there are any moving parts or heavy vibrations during its operation. Gathering these information before-hand would cut down on wastes, costs, time and effort on trial and error. As such, distinguishing the desirable physical, mechanical and chemical properties is key to achieving the most suitable product.

Some common questions we usually ask our customers are :
- Types of chemicals that may interact with the material during operation
- Lowest and highest temperature range during operation
- Operating environment (outdoor / indoor / cold room / exposures to sea water etc.)

Photo : Silicone tubes are often used in Peristaltic pumps

A good match of the material in your project will reduce costs. As an example, your process involves 65% Nitric Acid and you decide to run it through our silicone tubing. This would cause the silicone rubber tubing to degrade rapidly and go to waste. Similarly, using a poor quality hose on a machinery that operates at high pressure and temperature will likely lead to higher financing costs in maintenance, replacement parts, down-time on the machinery and also precious labour hours on repairs.

To sum up, having a comprehensive understanding on the requirements of your equipment and processes is essential to help you identify an appropriate material that will optimize your operations.

Unsure if silicone is the right material for your application? We're here to help! Contact us now.

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