How To Select The Silicone Rubber Row Material | Types Summary
- Share
- Issue Time
- Aug 27,2024
Summary
There are many types of silicone rubber, conductive silicone rubber/liquid silicone rubber/food grade silicone rubber. Do you know their differences and uses? Today I have compiled the advantages and disadvantages of 8 types of silicone rubber raw materials on the market, follow me.
How To Select The Silicone Rubber Raw Material
Due to their unique chemical and physical properties, silicone materials are used in many industries. Silicone can be classified according to their characteristics, processing methods and application. Here is a brief introduction to the most common types of silicone rubber:
1.General Silicone Rubber
It is mainly used in everyday items, industrial components, electronic products etc. It is resistant to both high and low temperature, ageing, elasticity and electrical insulation.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Temperature range |
-60degC up to +200degC
|
||
Hardness range |
Typically, Shore A is 20-80. This range is suitable for products that have different hardness requirements.
|
||
Physical properties |
Good flexibility and elasticity, resistant to UV and oxidation, ozone.
|
||
USE | Gaskets, seals, keyboard keys and household appliance parts. | ||
2.Food-Grade Silicone Rubber
Applications： Used on products that are in direct contact with foods, such as seals, kitchenware, and baby products.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Nontoxic and Odorless |
Free from harmful substances and compliant with the food safety standards of FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), and LFGB.
|
||
Temperature range |
-40degC up to +230degC. Suitable for use in microwaves and dishwashers.
|
||
Easy To Clean |
Smooth Surface, Resistant to Oil Stains, Good Antibacterial Properties
|
||
USE | Silicone tablewares, baking molds for baby pacifiers and silicone food containers. | ||
3.Medical-Grade Silicone Rubber
Applications： Used for medical supplies and devices, such as catheters.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Biocompatibility |
Highly compatible with human tissues, minimizing the risk of rejection or allergic reactions.
|
||
High purity |
No additives. Non-toxic and odorless. Meets strict medical industry standards.
|
||
Sterilization tolerance |
Able to withstand different sterilization methods such as autoclaving, ethylene dioxide, and gamma rays.
|
||
USE | Medical catheters (catheters), surgical instrument handles (handles), implants, drug delivery system, etc. | ||
4.Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
Applications： Used for precision-molded parts such as automotive, medical, and electronic components.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Liquid form |
Silicone at room temperature is in a liquid state, which allows for easy injection molding and high fluidity.
|
||
High-Precision Molding |
Ideal for complex-shaped molds, which result in products with high precision and consistency.
|
||
High transparency |
This silicone is often transparent, making it ideal for semi-transparent or clear products.
|
||
Excellent temperature resistance | Wide temperature range, usually from -60degC up to +250degC. | ||
USE | Baby products, medical devices, keyboards keys, automotive seals etc. | ||
5.High-Tear Silicone Rubber
Applications：Used in products that require high strength and durability such as seals, protective parts for industrial applications, etc.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
High Tear Resistant |
High tear resistance, resistant to wear and fatigue, ideal for applications that have dynamic loads.
|
||
Elastic retention |
Maintains good shape and elasticity even under high pressure.
|
||
Weather Resistant |
Excellent resistance to UV, Ozone and Weathering. Suitable for outdoor use.
|
||
USE | High-strength seals, industrial belts, automotive protective parts, etc. | ||
6.High-Temperature Silicone Rubber
Applications: Ideal for high-temperature products, such as industrial oven gaskets and heat-resistant seals.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Excellent high-temperature resistance |
Can use long-term for environments between 250degC and 300degC. Some specialized silicones can tolerate even higher temperatures.
|
||
Superior chemical resistance |
Resistant against oils, acids and alkalis.
|
||
USE | High-temperature gaskets, heat-resistant tubing, industrial oven components, etc. | ||
7.Conductive Silicone Rubber
Applications： Used for electronic products like buttons, conductive connectors and touch panels.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Conductivity |
This is achieved by adding conductive fillers to silicone (e.g. carbon black or silver powder).
|
||
Flexibility & Elasticity |
Preserves the flexibility and elastic of silicone, while maintaining conductivity.
|
||
Stability |
Conductivity stable, suitable for use over a long period of time in electronic components.
|
||
USE | Buttons for mobile phones, buttons on remote controls, conductive connectors etc. | ||
8.Oil-Resistant Silicone Rubber
Applications：Used for products that come into contact oil, such as automotive gaskets and industrial machinery seals.
|
Characteristics
|
|||
Oil Resistant |
Excellent resistance against mineral, vegetable and synthetic oils. Suitable for applications that require oil contact.
|
||
Aging Resistant |
Maintains performance without cracking or deteriorating over time.
|
||
USE | Automotive engine seals, oil tank gaskets, industrial equipment protection parts, etc. | ||
Each silicone type has different properties and applications. It is important to choose the correct silicone material for the project in order to ensure the durability and safety of the end product.