Silicone rubber is a versatile and high-performance material widely used in various industries, from food processing to aerospace. There are many types of Silicone Rubber available including White FDA Approved Silicone Rubber, Silicone Sponge Rubber, MF775 Silicone Rubber, Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber, Metal Detectable Silicone Rubber and Fluorosilicone Rubber.
Each grade of silicone rubber offers unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of silicone rubber in detail, their properties, and the industries that benefit from their use.
FDA Approved White Silicone Rubber
FDA Approved White Silicone Rubber is manufactured to comply with FDA (American Food & Drugs Association) standards, making the material safe for food contact and medical use. This type of silicone rubber offers a wide operating temperature range from -60°C to +230°C, allowing it to perform exceptionally in both high and low-temperature environments. The hardness rating of 60°±5 Shore A provides a balance between flexibility and firmness which is essential in creating effective seals and gasksets.
Additionally, FDA-approved silicone rubber boasts excellent resistance properties. It is highly resistant to ozone, oxidation, UV light and weathering, making it durable and long-lasting in outdoor or harsh environments. Its tensile strength of 7.9 Mpa and elongation at a break of 340% ensures that it can stretch and flex effectively without breaking, helping to maintain its integrity over long periods of use.
Applications of FDA-Approved White Silicone Rubber
FDA-approved silicone rubber is commonly used in the food and beverage processing industries. This is due to the material’s compliance with the stringent FDA standards, ensuring it is safe for contact with food and drink, making it ideal for gaskets, seals, hoses and tubing used in food processing equipment. In the medical field, FDA silicone rubber is used for medical devices and implants, whilst in pharmaceuticals it’s employed for sterile manufacturing and packaging processes.
Silicone Sponge Rubber
Silicone sponge rubber features a closed-cell structure that provides exceptional compressibility and water resistance. This type of silicone rubber typically operates within a temperature range of -60°C to +200°C, making it suitable for both high and low-temperature applications. Its closed-cell structure prevents water absorption, ensuring that it maintains its sealing properties even in wet environments. The material’s hardness is generally around 42°±5 Shore A, making it soft enough to compress yet firm enough to provide a reliable seal.
In terms of resistance, silicone sponge rubber is highly resistant to ozone, oxidation, and UV light, similar to FDA-approved silicone rubber. This resistance makes it suitable for outdoor applications where exposure to the elements is a concern. Its tensile strength, although lower than solid silicone rubber, is adequate for applications requiring flexibility and cushioning.
Applications of Silicone Sponge Rubber
Silicone sponge rubber is commonly used in the automotive and aerospace industries. It is ideal for gaskets, seals, and vibration-dampening components due to its ability to compress and form tight seals, preventing leaks and reducing noise. In the electronics industry, silicone sponge rubber is used for thermal insulation and as a cushioning material to protect delicate components. It is also used in industrial applications where a durable, flexible, and water-resistant sealing material is needed.
HT800 Silicone Sponge Rubber
HT800 silicone sponge rubber is a specialist grade known for its versatility and enhanced sealing capabilities. It operates within a temperature range of -55°C to +200°C, making it suitable for extreme temperature environments. This medium-firmness silicone combines the lightness and compressibility of foam with the enhanced sealing capabilities of sponge rubber, providing an excellent balance for various applications.
One of the key properties of HT800 silicone sponge rubber is its flame retardancy. It is resistant to fire, making it a safe choice for applications where fire safety is a concern. Additionally, it offers excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, and UV light, ensuring durability and longevity even in harsh outdoor conditions. Its tensile strength of 310 kPa and elongation at break of 80% provide exceptional flexibility and durability for demanding applications.
Applications of HT800 Silicone Sponge Rubber
HT800 silicone sponge rubber is widely used in the aerospace and defence industries. Its flame-retardant properties make it suitable for use in aircraft and military vehicles, where safety is paramount. It is also used in the automotive industry for gaskets, seals, and insulation, where it provides both thermal and acoustic insulation. In the electronics industry, HT800 silicone sponge rubber is used for thermal management and as a cushioning material for delicate components.
MF775 Flame Retardant Silicone Rubber
MF775 flame retardant silicone rubber is a high-performance material designed for use in environments where fire safety is critical. It operates within a temperature range of -70°C to +250°C, making it suitable for extreme temperature applications. This silicone rubber has a hardness of 68°±5 Shore A, providing a firm yet flexible material that can withstand significant stress and deformation.
This grade of silicone rubber exhibits low smoke and low toxicity characteristics, making it ideal for enclosed environments where human safety is a concern. It is resistant to weathering, ozone, UV light, and various chemicals, ensuring long-lasting performance in harsh conditions. Its tensile strength of 9 Mpa and elongation at a break of 270% provide excellent mechanical properties, making it suitable for demanding applications.
Applications of MF775 Flame Retardant Silicone Rubber
MF775 silicone rubber is primarily used in the mass transit industry, particularly in the construction of passenger trains. Its flame-retardant properties and low smoke emission make it a safe choice for use in enclosed environments where fire safety is paramount. It is also used in other industrial applications where fire resistance is critical, such as in building construction and aerospace.
Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber
Electrically conductive silicone rubber is a premium-grade silicone that balances electrical conductivity with the protective properties of silicone. It operates within a temperature range of -62°C to +260°C, making it suitable for high-temperature sealing applications. This silicone rubber is typically filled with carbon particles, which provide its conductive properties. It has a hardness of 70°±5 Shore A, offering a firm and durable material for various applications.
This type of silicone rubber is resistant to weathering, ozone, and UV light, ensuring durability in outdoor and harsh environments. Its tensile strength of 700 psi and elongation at break of 200% provide excellent mechanical properties, allowing it to maintain its integrity under stress.
Applications of Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber
Electrically conductive silicone rubber is widely used in the electronics industry. It is used for EMI shielding, electrical connectors, and cable insulation, where its conductive properties are essential. It is also used in the aerospace and defence industries for applications requiring both electrical conductivity and high-temperature resistance.
Metal Detectable Silicone Rubber
Metal-detectable silicone rubber is manufactured from FDA-approved ingredients and features iron powder to aid in the identification of foreign particles within the food processing and pharmaceuticals industry. It operates within a temperature range of -60°C to +200°C, making it suitable for a variety of applications. This silicone rubber has a hardness of 60°±5 Shore A, providing a balance between flexibility and firmness for effective sealing.
This grade of silicone rubber is resistant to weathering, ozone, and UV light, ensuring durability in harsh environments. Its tensile strength of 7.0 N/mm2 and elongation at break of 400% provide excellent mechanical properties, making it suitable for demanding applications.
Applications of Metal Detectable Silicone Rubber
Metal-detectable silicone rubber is primarily used in the food and beverage industry. Its FDA approval ensures that it can safely come into contact with food, and its metal-detectable properties help prevent contamination by allowing for the easy detection of foreign particles. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry for similar reasons.
Fluorosiilicone Rubber
Fluorosilicone rubber is a high-performance silicone grade that offers superior resistance to fuels, oils, solvents, and harsh chemicals. It operates within a temperature range of -60°C to +260°C, making it suitable for extreme temperature environments. This silicone rubber has a hardness of 63°±5 Shore A, providing a firm yet flexible material that can withstand significant stress and deformation.
This grade of silicone rubber is resistant to weathering, ozone, UV light, and various chemicals, ensuring long-lasting performance in harsh conditions. Its tensile strength of 7.3 Mpa and elongation at break of 319% provide excellent mechanical properties, making it suitable for demanding applications.
Applications of Fluorosilicone Rubber
Fluorosilicone rubber is widely used in the aerospace and military sectors. Its resistance to fuels, oils, and chemicals makes it ideal for use in aircraft and military vehicles, where it is used for gaskets and seals. It is also used in industrial applications where exposure to harsh chemicals is common, such as in chemical processing plants.
Where to Buy Silicone Rubber Online
Looking to purchase silicone rubber for your specific application needs? At Delta Rubber Limited we offer a comprehensive range of standard and specification silicone rubber grades, available in various forms to suit diverse requirements. Whether you need rubber sheets, cut-rubber strips, washers, gaskets, seals, extrusions, or tubing, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of the silicone rubber grades and their available forms:
- FDA Approved Silicone Rubber – We offer FDA-approved silicone rubber in sheet form, with thicknesses ranging from 1mm to 6mm thick. Additionally, solid silicone rubber strips are available in 5-meter lengths, manufactured to your desired widths if required.
- Silicone Sponge Rubber – For applications requiring silicone sponge rubber, Delta Rubber Limited offers cut rubber strip form, with thicknesses from 1.5mm to 6mm thick and widths from 10mm to 50mm wide. Self-adhesive options are available for ease of installation.
- HT800 Silicone Sponge Rubber – HT800 silicone sponge rubber is available in both sheet and cut strip forms. Sheets come in thicknesses from 0.8mm to 3.2mm thick, with standard sizes measuring 915mm wide and lengths from 1 meter to a full 10-meter roll. Self-adhesive backing is standard for cut strip options.
- MF775 Silicone Rubber – We supply flame retardant MF775 silicone rubber in sheet form, with a choice of sheet sizes (500mm or 1000mm wide) and various thicknesses. Custom lengths are also available.
- Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber – Electrically conductive silicone rubber sheets are offered in varying thicknesses, with sheet sizes 500mm wide and lengths ranging from 2 meters to a full 10-meter roll.
- Metal Detectable Silicone Rubber – Our buy-online blue metal detectable silicone rubber sheets are sold in any length from 1 meter to 10 meters, with thicknesses from 1.5mm to 3mm thick and a standard width of 1.2 meters.
- Fluorosilicone Rubber – All blue fluorosilicone rubber sheets have a thickness of 3.2mm and are available in pre-cut sheet sizes measuring: 500mm x 450mm, 914mm x 450mm, 1000mm x 450mm, and 1000mm x 914mm.
For all your silicone rubber needs, trust Delta Rubber Limited to deliver quality products tailored to your specifications. Visit our website to explore our full range of silicone rubber grades and place your order with ease. For more information on Silicone rubber, read our blog ‘What is Silicone Rubber?’.