One of the various varieties of industrial rubbers is silicone rubber. This material is available in sheets, tubes, liquid, and other forms that enable it to be employed in applications ranging from aerospace to medical to construction, taking characteristics like flexibility and temperature resistance from plastic and rubber. We’ll go through the fundamentals of silicone rubber in this guide.
What Is Silicone Rubber?
Silicone, also known as polysiloxane in science, is a rubber that falls into a gray region. It is a synthetic elastomer that combines the traits of rubber and plastic. Since elastomers are typically referred to as rubbers, silicone is also frequently referred to as rubber. Silicone can make rubbery objects, hard solids, and liquids. Even though they are two different materials, silicon and silicone often need clarification. Know the Silicone rubber price (ยางซิลิโคน ราคา, which is a term in Thai) on this site.
Silicone Rubber Types
Groups of organic molecules, such as methyl, give silicone rubber flexibility. Silicone and oxygen form the foundation of silicone rubber. Depending on the use, different types of silicone rubber have other characteristics.
- The acronym MQ stands for methyl groups. These are the original, fundamental varieties of silicone rubber.
- VMQ stands for methyl vinyl groups, which have excellent compression characteristics. Since vinyl aids in vulcanization, these types of silicone rubber are most frequently utilized.
- Methyl phenyl groups are added to the rubber to enhance its performance in cold temperatures.
- Oil, gasoline, and solvent are more chemically resistant to fluoro, vinyl, and methyl (FVMQ) groups.
Depending on the production method, three primary silicone rubber forms exist among the families of silicone rubber variations.
Silicone Rubber Properties
Temperature resistance and flexibility are the mechanical attributes of silicone rubber that are most effective. Depending on the kind, this material may withstand temperatures between -150 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit without melting or becoming brittle. Its maximum elongation is 700%, and its tensile strength ranges from 200 to 1500 PSI, which is outstanding for rubber.
Additionally, it has good metal bonding properties, is electrically insulating, heat and flame-resistant, rebounds, and compresses reasonably well. Due to its UV, ozone, and general weather resilience, silicone rubber performs well outdoors. It is also weather-resistant, hypoallergenic, and gas permeable while maintaining its popularity in medicinal applications. This material can be found in food and beverage applications for both consumer and industrial use since it is more unreactive, unlike many nonstick and stain-resistant plastics. Silicone rubber is utilized in transportation because it is lightweight and dampens vibration and noise in its sponge state.
