Silicone Vacuum Hose Extrusion Process

The materials required include silicone rubber (white), as well as auxiliary materials such as reinforcing fillers, pigments (standard colours: red, blue or black), vulcanising agents and additives. If oil resistance is required, fluorosilicone rubber must be used.

For this step, we use an open mixing mill. Place all the materials listed above into the machine and mix them together to soften the compound and ensure it is thoroughly and evenly blended. Care must be taken to control the timing and to carry out repeated cutting, folding, and rolling.

This is the most critical stage for production process. We feed the mixed silicone rubber into the feeding zone, where it enters the screw system and is then compressed into the die head. The die head varies depending on the internal diameter (ID), external diameter (OD) and wall thickness.

In this step, we use a tunnel oven. The extruded silicone tubing enters the tunnel oven, where the temperature is maintained between 180°C and 220°C. Following vulcanisation, the soft silicone tubing transforms into elastic silicone tubing and is fully shaped and hardened.

After vulcanisation, the hose enters the cooling tunnel; water is commonly used as the cooling medium, the purpose being to accelerate the curing process, prevent deformation and improve the surface finish.

We can provide custom label printing; during this process, We will print the customer’s requested logo, part number, SAE standard and temperature marking onto the hose.

Once the silicone vacuum hoses have been manufactured, they proceed to the next stage of quality inspection. We carry out dimensional inspections (ID, OD, wall thickness), vacuum resistance tests, pressure, hardness, heat aging, compression set, ozone resistance, adhesion, and leak tests.

Our standard packaging options include coil packing, plastic bags, cardboard boxes and pallets. We pack the goods in accordance with the agreed packaging method and arrange for their transport, whilst taking photographs for the customer and providing an inspection report.