Overview
Silicone Rubber is a high-performance elastomer known for its exceptional temperature resistance, flexibility, biocompatibility, weather resistance, electrical insulation, and chemical stability.
Unlike conventional organic rubbers, silicone is based on a silicon-oxygen molecular backbone, enabling superior performance across extreme temperatures and harsh environmental conditions. Silicone remains flexible at low temperatures while maintaining stability at elevated temperatures, making it one of the most versatile elastomer materials available.
Silicone is widely used in:
- Medical Devices
- Food Processing Equipment
- Automotive Components
- Electronics & Electrical Systems
- Aerospace Applications
- Consumer Products
- Industrial Sealing Systems
- Wearable Devices
Due to its excellent durability, safety, and environmental resistance, silicone is one of the most commonly specified elastomers for demanding engineering applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Silicone |
| Full Name | Silicone Rubber |
| Material Family | Elastomer |
| Density | 1.10–1.50 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Transparent, White, Black, Colored |
| Hardness Range | Shore A 10–90 |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Compression Molding, Injection Molding, Extrusion, LSR Molding |
| Standard Forms | Sheets, Rolls, Tubes, Profiles, Molded Parts |
Chemical Composition
Silicone consists primarily of polysiloxane polymers.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polysiloxane Polymer | Elastic Matrix |
| Silica Fillers | Strength Enhancement |
| Crosslinking Agents | Curing System |
| Pigments | Color Control |
| Additives | Performance Enhancement |
The silicon-oxygen backbone provides outstanding thermal and environmental stability.
Common Silicone Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| General Purpose Silicone | Standard Industrial Applications |
| Medical Grade Silicone | Biocompatible |
| Food Grade Silicone | FDA & LFGB Compliant |
| High-Temperature Silicone | Extreme Heat Resistance |
| Conductive Silicone | EMI Shielding Applications |
| Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) | Precision Molding |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 5–12 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 150–700% |
| Tear Strength | 15–50 kN/m |
| Compression Set | Low |
| Hardness | Shore A 10–90 |
| Resilience | Excellent |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Flexibility | Outstanding |
| Elastic Recovery | Outstanding |
| Tear Resistance | Good |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
Silicone maintains elasticity over long service periods.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.10–1.50 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | Very Low |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.15–0.30 W/m·K |
| Gas Permeability | High |
| UV Resistance | Outstanding |
Silicone performs exceptionally well in outdoor environments.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Continuous Service Temperature | -60°C to 200°C |
| High-Temperature Grade | Up to 250°C |
| Short-Term Temperature Resistance | Up to 300°C |
| Brittleness Temperature | Below -70°C |
Silicone offers one of the widest operating temperature ranges among elastomers.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone | 1.20 | 8 MPa |
| EPDM | 1.15 | 10 MPa |
| NBR | 1.20 | 15 MPa |
| Natural Rubber | 0.93 | 20 MPa |
While not the strongest elastomer, silicone excels in thermal and environmental durability.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Outstanding |
| Ozone | Outstanding |
| UV Exposure | Outstanding |
| Weathering | Outstanding |
| Alcohols | Good |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Petroleum Oils | Moderate |
| Fuels | Poor |
Silicone is ideal for outdoor and environmental exposure applications.
Weather & UV Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| UV Resistance | Outstanding |
| Ozone Resistance | Outstanding |
| Outdoor Durability | Outstanding |
| Aging Resistance | Outstanding |
Silicone can maintain performance outdoors for decades.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Strength | 18–25 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.8–3.3 |
| Arc Resistance | Excellent |
Silicone is widely used as an electrical insulation material.
Biocompatibility
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Skin Contact Safety | Excellent |
| Medical Compatibility | Excellent |
| Food Contact Compliance | Available |
| Hypoallergenic Performance | Excellent |
Medical-grade silicone is extensively used in healthcare and wearable products.
Compression Set Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Compression Recovery | Excellent |
| Seal Retention | Excellent |
| Long-Term Elasticity | Excellent |
| Gasket Performance | Outstanding |
Silicone is widely used for seals and gaskets due to its low compression set.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Compression Molding | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| Extrusion | Outstanding |
| Liquid Silicone Molding (LSR) | Outstanding |
| Overmolding | Excellent |
Silicone is highly versatile for both low-volume and high-volume manufacturing.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM D2000 | Silicone Rubber |
| ISO | VMQ |
| DIN | Silikon-Kautschuk |
| JIS | Silicone Rubber |
| GB/T (China) | 硅橡胶 |
| FDA | Food Grade Available |
| USP Class VI | Medical Grade Available |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheets | Yes |
| Rolls | Yes |
| Tubes | Yes |
| Extruded Profiles | Yes |
| Molded Parts | Yes |
| Liquid Silicone Rubber | Yes |
Typical Applications
Medical Industry
- Catheters
- Respiratory Components
- Prosthetic Components
- Medical Seals
Food Processing Industry
- Food Contact Gaskets
- Baking Molds
- Beverage Equipment Seals
- Food Transfer Tubing
Automotive Industry
- Engine Gaskets
- Ignition Components
- Weather Seals
- Sensor Covers
Electronics Industry
- Keypads
- Insulators
- Cable Protection
- Thermal Interface Components
Aerospace Industry
- Environmental Seals
- Cabin Components
- High-Temperature Gaskets
Consumer Products
- Wearables
- Kitchen Products
- Baby Products
- Personal Care Devices
Advantages
Exceptional Temperature Resistance
Operates reliably from -60°C to 200°C and beyond.
Outstanding UV & Weather Resistance
Ideal for long-term outdoor applications.
Excellent Flexibility
Maintains elasticity in extreme temperatures.
Biocompatibility
Suitable for medical and food-contact applications.
Superior Electrical Insulation
Excellent dielectric performance.
Long Service Life
Resists aging, ozone, and environmental degradation.
Limitations
Lower Tensile Strength
Weaker than many conventional elastomers.
Poor Fuel Resistance
Not recommended for gasoline exposure.
Higher Material Cost
More expensive than EPDM and NBR.
Higher Gas Permeability
Not ideal for high-pressure gas sealing applications.
Comparison with Common Elastomers
| Property | Silicone | EPDM | NBR | FKM (Viton) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate | Outstanding |
| UV Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Poor | Good |
| Oil Resistance | Moderate | Poor | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Flexibility at Low Temperature | Outstanding | Good | Moderate | Good |
| Cost | High | Low | Low | Very High |
Comparison with EPDM
| Property | Silicone | EPDM |
|---|---|---|
| High Temperature Resistance | Better | |
| Low Temperature Flexibility | Better | |
| Food Contact Compatibility | Better | |
| Fuel Resistance | Similar | |
| Cost | Higher |
Silicone is often selected when temperature resistance and biocompatibility are critical.
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Matte Finish
- Smooth Molded Finish
- Textured Finish
Functional Finishes
- Medical Grade Surface
- Food Grade Finish
- Anti-Microbial Surface
Specialty Grades
- Medical Grade Silicone
- Food Grade Silicone
- High Temperature Silicone
- Conductive Silicone
- Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Silicone?
Silicone is a synthetic elastomer based on a silicon-oxygen backbone, known for exceptional temperature resistance, flexibility, and environmental durability.
What is Silicone used for?
Typical applications include:
- Medical Devices
- Food Processing Equipment
- Automotive Seals
- Electrical Insulators
- Consumer Products
Is Silicone food safe?
Yes. Food-grade silicone complies with FDA and LFGB regulations.
Is Silicone biocompatible?
Medical-grade silicone is highly biocompatible and widely used in healthcare applications.
Is Silicone resistant to UV and weather?
Yes. Silicone provides some of the best UV and weather resistance among elastomers.
Why choose Silicone?
Because it combines:
- Extreme Temperature Resistance
- Outstanding UV Resistance
- Excellent Flexibility
- Biocompatibility
- Long Service Life
What is the difference between Silicone and EPDM?
Silicone offers superior temperature resistance and biocompatibility, while EPDM typically provides lower cost and slightly better mechanical strength.
Does GCNOV provide Silicone manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Silicone Compression Molding
- Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) Injection Molding
- Extrusion Services
- Medical Silicone Components
- Food Grade Silicone Products
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production