Water-based silicone elastomer enables clean, near-net shape fabrication

Technology Marketing Inc. (TMI, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.) showcases its advanced Sprayomer technology, which powers the company’s Armor-Vac elastomer reusable vacuum bags/membranes. They feature a new 1K water-based silicone elastomer alongside its proven bio-based 1K natural rubber. These seamless, single-component elastomers support near-net-shape fabrication in composites manufacturing — streamlining labor, boosting throughput and advancing sustainability.

The Armor-Vac 1K silicone elastomer is an aqueous emulsion of pre-polymerized silicone particles stabilized in water. Each particle contains a cross-linked silicone network suspended in a surfactant-stabilized system, providing long shelf life and optimal formulation stability. As water evaporates during application, the silicone particles coalesce into a continuous, flexible film that cures into a strong, durable elastomer layer, ideal for complex molds and 3D surfaces.

This system delivers a clean, user-friendly alternative to traditional 2K silicones, eliminating in-process mixing, contamination risks and silicone migration — critical concerns in aerospace and composites fabrication. The cured material is lighter and more chemically stable than 2K elastomers and supports composite cure cycles up to 400°F (204°C). A key differentiator is its high performance with epoxy resins and prepregs, where 2K systems often fall short.

Applied with TMI’s 1K QuickMold/Airmix spray system, the formulation enables consistent and sustainable elastomer membrane creation. It’s also compatible with collapsible liner cup spray guns, brushing or rolling. The Spayomer 1K natural rubber system, protected under multiple U.S. patents, remains a go-to for manufacturers seeking zero-VOC, bio-based sustainable solutions with up to 80% weight savings over 2K materials, offering optimized, user-friendly debulking solutions that TMI says other RVBs cannot match.

Custom debulk table systems are available with flat-sheet or 3D-shaped membranes, with optional heating. Armor-Vac 1K silicone also supports net-shape tailored fiber placement heater systems, enabling precise in situ thermal control.