Loading page
Urethane casting in Silicone rubber (VMQ)
Silicone rubber (VMQ) is one of the most economical choices for urethane casting: service from about −75 to 400 °f (−60 to 200 °c). On a representative housing at 100 pieces it estimates at about $33.20 per part plus $3,644 tooling, with a lead time of 1–2 weeks. Typical tolerance is About ±0.010 in (±0.25 mm) on features under a few inches; about 0.15% shrink.
- Per part
- $33.20
- Tooling
- $3,644
- Lead time
- 1–2 weeks
Price it in Silicone
Housing · Urethane casting
Order total $6,966
- Tooling
- $3,644
- one-time, spread over the order
- Piece price
- $33.20
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 1–2 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity100100 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
Silicone vs other urethane casting materials
The same housing at 100 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. Silicone is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone rubber (VMQ) | $33.20 | $69.70 | 83 g | 8 MPa |
| Cast urethane (polyurethane) | $34.90 | $71.40 | 83 g | 50 MPa |
Silicone at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 8 MPa2th pct
- Density
- 1.15 g/cm³17th pct
- Max service temp
- 200 °C72th pct
- Elongation
- 400 %97th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Service from about −75 to 400 °F (−60 to 200 °C)
- Food-contact grades to FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and medical grades
- Excellent ozone, UV and weather resistance
- LSR molds precise, nearly flash-free parts in automated cells
- Colorable, translucent and low odor
Watch for
- Low tear and abrasion strength; poor for rubbing dynamic seals
- Swells in fuels, oils and many solvents; use fluorosilicone (FVMQ) for fuel
- Higher cost than EPDM or NBR
- High gas permeability
Urethane casting design rules
0.060–0.120 in (1.5–3 mm) preferred; 0.040 in (1 mm) minimum
Wall thickness
None required; about 0.5° helps on deep walls
Draft
Moderate undercuts are acceptable
Undercuts
Keep sections under about 0.5 in (13 mm)
Avoid thick sections
Rib thickness 50–60% of the adjoining wall
Size ribs like a molded part
Cast in or press in threaded inserts
Use inserts for threads
Questions
How much does urethane casting in Silicone cost?
For a representative part (open housing 140 mm × 90 mm × 36 mm, 2.2 mm wall, 1° draft, 4 bosses, 2 ribs), SSG's estimator gives about $33.20 per part at 100 pieces, plus about $3,644 one-time tooling. All-in with tooling and setup that is $69.70 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is Silicone a good material for urethane casting?
It is when you need service from about −75 to 400 °f (−60 to 200 °c) and food-contact grades to fda 21 cfr 177.2600 and medical grades. Watch for low tear and abrasion strength; poor for rubbing dynamic seals. Of 2 materials run in urethane casting, it ranks 1 on all-in cost for the same part.
What tolerance can urethane casting hold in Silicone?
Typical capability is About ±0.010 in (±0.25 mm) on features under a few inches; about 0.15% shrink. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote urethane casting in Silicone.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.