General Purpose (FDA) Silicone Rubber

Reliable, Safe, and Versatile: General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber

For applications requiring a dependable and compliant elastomer suitable for contact with sensitive goods, General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber is the industry standard. This versatile material combines the inherent beneficial properties of silicone with strict adherence to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, specifically FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, governing rubber articles intended for repeated use in contact with food. This ensures the material is non-toxic, tasteless, and will not transfer harmful substances, making it an ideal choice for a wide array of uses in hygiene-critical industries. Available in a range of hardnesses, our general purpose FDA silicone offers a balanced combination of mechanical strength, temperature resistance, and environmental stability for diverse applications.

Key Features of General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber

• FDA Compliant: Meets the stringent requirements of FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for rubber articles in repeated contact with food, ensuring safety and suitability for food processing and handling applications.
• Wide Temperature Range: Offers reliable performance across a broad temperature spectrum, typically from -50°C to +180°C, allowing for use in both hot and cold environments.
• Excellent Physiological Properties: Non-toxic, tasteless, and odourless, making it safe for use in sensitive applications without affecting the quality of contacted materials.
• Good Mechanical Properties: Possesses a good balance of tensile strength (typically 9.0 – 10.0 N/mm²), elongation at break (440% – 1000% depending on hardness), and tear strength (around 26 N/mm), providing durability and flexibility.
• Broad Hardness Range: Available in a range of Shore A hardnesses, from 20° to 80°, allowing for customisation to meet specific flexibility and compression requirements.
• Environmental Resistance: Exhibits excellent resistance to UV light, ozone, and weathering, ensuring longevity and performance in various environmental conditions.
• Hydrophobic Nature: Naturally repels water, which can be beneficial in moist environments.
• Sterilisation Resistant: Can withstand common sterilisation methods, such as autoclaving, without significant degradation of properties.
• Versatile Colour Options: Can be easily pigmented to a wide variety of colours to meet specific identification or aesthetic needs, while also being available in translucent or white.

Applications of General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber

The combination of FDA compliance and versatile properties makes general purpose FDA approved silicone rubber suitable for a multitude of applications across various industries:

• Food Processing and Packaging: Used extensively for seals, gaskets, tubing, conveyor belts, and moulded components in machinery that comes into direct or indirect contact with food and beverages.
• Medical and Healthcare Devices: Employed in components such as tubing, seals, stoppers, and non-implantable parts where biocompatibility and sterilisation resistance are required.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Used for seals, gaskets, and transfer tubing in equipment involved in the production and handling of pharmaceutical products.
• Appliance Seals and Gaskets: Provides safe and durable sealing solutions in domestic and commercial appliances, particularly those involved in food preparation and storage (e.g., oven door seals, refrigerator gaskets).
• Water Purification and Dispensing: Utilised for seals, gaskets, and tubing in water filters, dispensers, and plumbing systems.
• General Industrial Sealing: Applied in various industrial settings where a clean, non-reactive, and temperature-resistant seal is needed.

Industries Utilising General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber

General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber is a cornerstone material in industries where hygiene, safety, and regulatory compliance are paramount:

• Food and Beverage Industry: From processing plants to packaging facilities, ensuring safe and hygienic handling of consumables.
• Medical and Healthcare Industry: In hospitals, clinics, and manufacturing of medical devices, guaranteeing biocompatibility and sterilisation capabilities.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: In drug manufacturing and processing, maintaining purity and preventing contamination.
• Appliance Manufacturing: In the production of both domestic and commercial appliances, particularly kitchen and food-related equipment.
• Water Treatment and Plumbing: Ensuring safe and reliable sealing in systems handling potable water.
• General Manufacturing: In various sectors requiring a reliable, safe, and temperature-resistant elastomer for diverse applications.

By choosing General Purpose FDA Approved Silicone Rubber, manufacturers across these industries can confidently implement a material that meets stringent regulatory standards while offering the robust performance and versatility required for a wide range of essential components, contributing to product safety and reliability.