Technical Properties of SM-40 Brown
- material: silicone rubber;
- compound: A-SU 40-79;
- hardness: 42 Shore A;
- elongation: up to 700%;
- operating temperature: up to 250 °C;
- available thicknesses: 1, 2 and 3 mm;
- width: 1600 mm;
- surface: smooth;
- colour: brown.
SM-40 Brown combines the flexibility required to conform to shaped workpieces with the thermal stability needed for demanding industrial processes. The smooth surface provides uniform contact with the workpiece and does not leave a textile pattern on the processed material.
Applications of SM-40 Brown Silicone Membranes
SM-40 Brown is suitable for a wide range of vacuum, forming and heat-processing applications, including:
- vacuum pressing and membrane pressing;
- thermoforming;
- veneering and laminating shaped wood-based components;
- forming solid-surface materials;
- processing composite materials;
- manufacturing curved and profiled parts;
- sublimation;
- heat-transfer processes.
The combination of flexibility and temperature resistance allows the same membrane grade to be used for conventional vacuum pressing and forming as well as processes involving repeated exposure to elevated temperatures.
SM-40 Brown vs SM-40 Transparent
Both SM-40 Brown and SM-40 Transparent are flexible silicone membranes suitable for vacuum pressing, thermoforming, laminating and composite processing. The main differences are their operating temperature, finished hardness and transparency.
SM-40 Transparent has a hardness of 40 Shore A and an operating temperature of up to 200 °C. Its transparent surface is useful when visual inspection of the workpiece beneath the membrane is required. SM-40 Brown has a finished hardness of 42 Shore A and withstands temperatures up to 250 °C, making it the preferred option for sublimation, heat transfer and other higher-temperature processes.
For applications below 200 °C, either material may be suitable depending on the process requirements. When temperatures can exceed 200 °C, SM-40 Brown provides the required additional thermal resistance.
Choosing the Appropriate Membrane Thickness
SM-40 Brown is available in 1, 2 and 3 mm thicknesses. The appropriate thickness depends primarily on workpiece geometry, required flexibility and mechanical load during the production cycle.
- 1 mm — maximum flexibility for detailed shapes and applications with relatively low mechanical loads;
- 2 mm — a versatile option balancing flexibility, handling and durability for regular industrial use;
- 3 mm — increased stability and mechanical resistance for larger workpieces and more demanding operating conditions.
Temperature alone should not determine membrane thickness. Workpiece geometry, sharp edges, pressure, cycle duration and production frequency should also be considered when selecting the appropriate material.
1600 mm Wide Silicone Membranes and Cut Lengths
SM-40 Brown is supplied in a standard width of 1600 mm and can be ordered in the required length. Available 1, 2 and 3 mm thicknesses make it possible to select the membrane according to the flexibility and mechanical requirements of the application.
If you are unsure which thickness is suitable for your process, contact us with the required dimensions, operating temperature and application details. We can help you select the appropriate SM-40 Brown membrane for your production requirements.
