Why has silicone rubber become such a key material across industries?
Silicone rubber is one of the most popular materials on the market and is used across numerous sectors and organisations due to its extremely versatile properties. As an expert in the silicone rubber extrusion industry, we have helped clients, projects, and businesses worldwide to create bespoke rubber solutions, providing large-scale solutions and utilising the highest-quality materials available.
In this article, we discuss the properties of silicone rubber, its benefits, and the environments it is best suited to, including some of the popular industries we work with.
What are the advantages of silicone rubber?
The versatile properties of silicone rubber and its ability to adapt to different environments make it the go-to material for industrial, commercial, and domestic applications across the globe. There are countless advantages of silicone rubber, some of which include:
- The ability to withstand extreme temperatures
- Effective sterilisation & hygiene capabilities
- High tensile strength for extrusions & moulding
- Low chemical reactivity
- Extensive versatility & applicable opportunities
Read our article on the advantages and disadvantages of silicone rubber to explore in more detail the pros and cons of this resourceful material.
The properties of silicone rubber and where it can be used
Now that we have outlined the beneficial properties of silicone rubber and its main advantages, we have gone into more detail about each aspect. If you want more information on silicone extrusions or our moulding capabilities, do not hesitate to contact our helpful and friendly team today.
Temperature resistance for a range of industries
One of the main advantages of silicone rubber is that it has a wide temperature range. It is highly resistant and can operate from as low as -60°C to as high as 300°C, benefiting various industries, especially as silicone rubber will maintain a number of its mechanical properties even at more extreme temperatures.
Thermal conductivity for manufacturing
Conducting thermal energy is vital in manufacturing, construction, and civil engineering. Heating rollers and thermal interface sheets utilise specialist grades of silicone rubber, which have a higher thermal conductivity than most other types of rubbers on the market.
Non-reactive materials for food and medical applications
Food and medical industries have strict requirements for the materials they can use as they must meet health and safety recommendations and be safe for use. As silicone rubber is highly inert and doesn’t react with most chemicals, it is the best choice for industries focusing on food and dairy, medical, and pharmaceutical applications.
High tensile strength for extrusions, moulding and calendering
General-purpose silicone might be used for several different purposes, but silicone rubber has a huge advantage because it has better elongation and tear strength, preventing abrasions and being more resistant to fatigue.
Moisture and steam resistance for marine and automotive applications
Silicone polymers can be created as non-porous materials, meaning they will not absorb liquids, making them ideal for water immersion for extended periods. It also means that specially formulated grades can withstand steam up to 150°C, which is useful in many industries like marine and automotive.
Ozone and UV-resistant materials for environmental uses
Weather resistance is a key element in many industries, including environmental projects. Silicone is a weathering-resistant material, reducing ageing from ozone and UV, with organic rubbers being more susceptible to these factors, as the carbon composition can break down and leave the material vulnerable.
Specialist grade silicone production for vital projects
Specific industries, such as rail and mass transit and aerospace, require specialised grades of silicone to meet the high standards required for production. We have specifically formulated silicone to adhere to these exact requirements and can work with your business to create the ideal solution.
Grades of silicone rubber
There is an extensive range of silicone rubber grades available, each providing different benefits, making them more suited for different applications and industries. The grade of silicone available here at Viking Extrusions includes:
- General-purpose silicone rubber
- Weather-resistant silicone rubber
- Heat-stabilised silicone rubber
- High-temperature silicone rubber
- High tear strength silicones
- Inflatable grade silicones
- Steam-resistant silicone rubber
- Platinum-cured silicone
- Liquid silicone rubber
- RTV silicone rubber
- VFR(2)
- VFR 203-803
- Silicone sponge
- Metal-detectable silicone rubber
- Conductive silicones
The properties of silicone rubber are unique to each grade of material, which is why each is suited for different environments and industries, meaning no matter which application or solution you are looking for, Viking Extrusions will have the perfect product for your needs.
Bespoke silicone extrusions
The skills, knowledge, and capabilities amassed by our expert team over the 30 years we have been manufacturing silicone rubber means that we have become the go-to destination for silicone extrusions for clients across the globe.
Additionally, the technical and industry knowledge our team holds allows us to provide our clients with opportunities that aren’t available anywhere else, including the ability to create complex and custom silicone extrusions and moulds, which we can then produce on a large-scale basis. Our experience and proven track record means you can have complete confidence in our services, working to strict and tight deadlines, with no request being too complex or complicated for our team.
We produce industry-leading products and extrusions at a revolutionary rate, utilising the latest technology and innovations to ensure maximum quality, efficiency, and reliability, including rapid delivery times across the UK and Europe.
Using versatile silicone rubber in your project
FDA-grade Silicone rubber is one of the most popular materials for use in a range of industries, including the food, medical, and automotive industries, to name a few. At Viking Extrusions, we work across multiple sectors, producing high-quality and reliable products.
Hopefully, this article has given you a deeper insight into the properties of silicone rubber and the environments that it suits best. You can browse our extensive product range online or contact the Viking Extrusions team to learn more about our high-quality silicone solutions.
