subject: Silicone Rubber Is One Of The Most Adaptable Materials In The World [print this page] It is vital to choose the right silicone solution for your specific application.
There are silicone rubber solutions that work for almost any industry and application, including silicone sheeting, gaskets, seals, hoses tubing, moulding, extrusions and insulated cables.
Silicone rubber for virtually any application
Silicone rubber is an incredible material. It offers a unique combination of both chemical and mechanical properties, which other types of rubber cannot match.
Non-reactive, stable, and resistant to extreme environments, stresses and temperatures, silicone rubber easily withstands temperatures between 60C to +300C while still maintaining its useful properties.
The mechanical properties of silicone rubber include excellent tensile strength, elongation and tear strength.
Since it is so useful in adverse temperatures, silicone rubber is far superior to any of its counterparts.
Inferior rubber can be susceptible to ozone, UV, heat and other ageing factors which silicone rubber can easily withstand.
Silicone rubber is ideal for many food and medical applications because it is non-reactive to chemicals and environmental factors.
Weathering on silicone rubber
With superb resistance to weathering and environmental influences, silicone rubber changes very little when exposed to the elements.
In addition, silicone rubber is resistant to ozone, oxidation, ultraviolet light, corona discharge, cosmic radiation, ionising radiation and general weathering.
Lifespan of general-purpose silicone rubber
The lifespan of a general-purpose silicone will be roughly halved for every 10C above its intended use.
General-purpose silicone rubber used at high temperatures of around +250C would have a significantly reduced lifespan.
Potentially, this could have a huge impact on the performance of silicone rubber. If you intend to use it at extreme temperatures, seek expert advice on the right silicone material for your specific application.
Specialist silicone rubber materials
Silicone rubber is continuously developed, refined and improved.
Using extensive in-house compounding facilities and technical expertise, bespoke formulations are produced.
In addition to the standard solid and flexible conductors, there is an extensive range of ultra-flexible silicone rubber insulated conductors, designed for optimum flexibility.
This ensures lasting effectiveness in many switch type applications - i.e. relays, mercury switches and probe leads.
Why choose silicone rubber extrusions?
Excellent stability to extremes of temperature: Silicone rubber extrusions keep their properties in temperatures ranging from -60C to 250C.
Exceptional electrical insulating characteristics: Silicone rubber extrusions are extremely strong and have high resistance to dielectric fatigue with low dielectric constants combined with low dissipation factors.
Silicone rubbers properties, combined with its excellent moisture resistance, ensure long-term reliability even when operating under moist and corrosive conditions.
Weathering resistance: Silicone rubber extrusions have excellent resistance to ozone, UV light, radiation, arcing and corona discharge, and will remain relatively unaffected even after long term exposure to extreme weathering conditions.
Low specific gravity: The low specific gravity of silicone rubber extrusions ensures that it is lighter than its equivalent plastic extrusions.
Silicone rubber is extremely inert: Ideally suited to food and medical applications, silicone rubber extrusions do not allow for fungal or bacterial growth.
Silicone rubber is flame retardant: Silicone rubber extrusions, usually, cannot be burnt.
However, an intense fire silicone extrusions would need to be replaced for safety and performance reasons.
