Dear Clients,

Welcome to the CRI-SIL October 2009 Newsletter!

It's unclear if the rubber industry, or more specifically, the silicone industry, is still in recession. The question we all want to know is, "will it continue to decline or has it already started getting better?" Some economists say that the United States financial decline has slowed and we have finally rounded the corner.

While talking with customers over the past few months I've seen some surprising changes in our business environment. Many fabricators are starting to see an increase in new or existing business - That is the good news. The bad news is that some of this "new business" is coming at a cost. Many of the RFQ's and quick delivery requests are due to U.S. based businesses closing their doors for good. The combination of a poor economy and increased pressure from overseas suppliers has forced many small/medium sized companies out of business. The results are that many end customers now have nowhere to get the critical parts they need. They're turning to alternate vendors at a quick pace.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel? That remains to be seen. In the meantime, we can continue to address near-term opportunities while simultaneously planning for strategic goals. Innovation, creative thinking, sustainability, efficiency, and providing the best possible customer service available will help all of us ensure long-term viability. To be sure, CRI-SIL is here to assist you in all of your endeavors. We look forward to working with you for many years to come.

Elemental Silicon made from high grade quartz. The basic building block of silicone rubber.

HOW CAN CRI-SIL HELP MAKE YOUR BUSINESS MORE PROFITABLE?

CRI-SIL has the advantage of being an independent compounder. We are not owned by any of the major suppliers. As such, we can mix and match ingredients to give our customers the most robust, economical compounds for their applications. Most of our products start life as various raw silicone polymers, fillers, and additives. We mix these products using several methods including both hot and cold mixing processes. This gives us the flexibility to design an almost endless array of products to meet your demanding applications. Additionally, we have the flexibility to pick and choose various raw materials from several sources. The major suppliers often sell compounds made (for the most part) from their own materials, even if one of the ingredients is not better than a competitor. Our allegiance is to our customer first, not a parent company. We understand that when we service you well, we continue to grow.
As a “small to medium” size company, you will have access to everyone at CRI-SIL from the President to the Receptionist.
CRI-SIL excels in helping customers bring a project from concept to reality. We will work closely with you to develop a fully catalyzed compound and assist in assuring the material processes well at your facility(s). If you prefer to add catalyst or other ingredients at your facility, we can accommodate that request; however, it is usually more cost effective to allow CRI-SIL to provide the complete compound in a pre-form that allows you to efficiently utilize the product.
As the silicone industry continues to group and regroup, you may find that some of your key bases or compounds are being discontinued by a major supplier. CRI-SIL has many direct offsets to these materials already in our formulation database. If you are concerned with having your materials discontinued in the near future, please give CRI-SIL a call to avoid delays or shutdowns. We can help you get offsets qualified quickly.

TECHNICAL TIP

DID YOU KNOW? Silicone HCR's, LSR's, and RTV's are comprised of crosslinked polydimethyl siloxane molecules, fillers and other additives. They all contain linear silicone polymers crosslinked in a three dimensional network. There are many advantages that silicones offer over other elastomers - both synthetic and organic. Additionally, most silicones can be formulated to further enhance some of their unique physical characteristics. The following is a general list of advantageous properties found in polydimethyl siloxanes (silicone):

Silicones remain flexible down to -40°C. In some cases can be formulated to remain flexible down to -55°C. No other organic or inorganic elastomer is capable of maintaining it's properties over such a wide temperature range (except fluoroelastomers, which can be much more expensive).
In hot air, silicones remain stable almost indefinitely up to 180°C. They can be enhanced to 250°C using special additives.
Silicones can be produced as an optically clear product (without yellowing) using addition cure systems. They can also be pigmented into nearly any color (including glow-in-the-dark).
Silicones offer biocompatibility and are usually compliant with USP and FDA regulations.
Silicones are usually formulated as RoHS compliant.
Silicones can be sterilized using gamma irradiation, steam, or ethylene oxide.
Silicones can be formulated to achieve ultra-low compression set at elevated temperatures.
Silicones can be formulated to offer low flammability (and can be enhanced so as not to burn at all), and are non-toxic.
Silicones offer superior electrical insulating properties but can also be made electrically conductive.
Silicones offer good mechanical properties as well as durability.
Silicones are hydrophobic.
Silicones offer excellent release characteristics.
Silicones are ozone resistant.

For more information on this topic, email our Technical Manager, Matt Caldwell at mcaldwell@crisil-silicones.com

DO YOU KNOW THIS PERSON?

John Colburn - Manufacturing Manager. Every material that goes in or out of CRI-SIL is in some way affected by John. He has been with CRI-SIL since the spring of 2000 and has held various positions including Extruder Operator, Shipper/Receiver, Lead Foreman, and lastly as our Manufacturing Manager. John's expertise in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software system coupled with a solid materials background helps keep things running smoothly on the production floor. If you would like to contact John, please email him at jcolburn@crisil-silicones.com.

If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me at mcstevens@crisil-silicones.com or (800) 290-9192 extension 229. I would be more than happy to assist you in any of your endeavors.

Here's to a great 2009!

Best Regards,

Mark C. Stevens
Sales & Marketing Manager
CRI-SIL, LLC
Work: 800-290-9192 x229
Cell: 207-590-8206

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