Silicone rubber is a resilient, rubber-like elastomer made up of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Its properties can vary widely depending on its chemical structure and organic groups. All silicone products have a Si-O bond, which offers better electrical insulation, heat resistance, chemical stability, and abrasion resistance than natural rubber. These are ideal properties for industrial high-temperature gasket materials.
Learn more about the features, benefits, and applications of silicone rubber gaskets and seals.
Key Properties of Silicone Rubbers
Silicone’s Si-O chemical structure and strong bonds contribute to its reliable performance. Other features of silicone rubbers are:
● Wide temperature range: The material’s thermoxidative and thermal resistance means it can withstand very low and high temperatures without compromising performance.
● Oxidation resistance: Silicone maintains its structural and chemical properties in the presence of oxygen and ozone.
● Low toxicity: Silicone rubbers have low toxicity and low chemical reactivity, so they do not break down with chemical contact.
● UV resistance: Silicone is resistant to particle and electromagnetic radiation, including alpha, beta, gamma, and UV rays.
● Biocompatibility: Silicone is safe to use in direct contact with humans.
● Mechanical and physical properties: The material is known for its high tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation. Silicone rubbers also provide good optical transparency, electrical insulation, and non-stick properties.
Materials Used in High-Temperature Gasket Fabrication
High-temperature gaskets are fit for use in machinery that encounters high temperatures. Our heat-resistant seals can withstand high temperatures ranging from 350 ˚F (177 ˚C) to 2300 ˚F (1260 ˚C). These seals also perform reliably in operations involving combustible fluids and fire.
We make high-temperature gaskets from a range of high-quality elastomeric materials, including EPDM, silicone, fluorocarbon, fluorosilicone, silicone-coated fiberglass, and conductive silicone. Each material has a unique operating temperature range:
● Silicone: 400 to 500 °F (204 to 260 °C)
● EPDM: over 400 °F (204 °C)
● Conductive silicone: -100 to over 500 °F (-73 to 260 °C)
● Silicone coated fiberglass: 500 °F (260 °C)
● Fluorosilicone: 400 to 500 °F (204 to 260 °C)
● Fluorocarbon: 400 to 500 °F (204 to 260 °C)
Applications of Silicone Seals
These industries and applications rely on high-temperature elastomeric gaskets and seals for daily operations:
● Aerospace
● Automotive
● Appliance
● Construction
● Electrical
● Fastening
● OEM
● Medical
● Mechanical
● Plumbing
Advantages of Silicone Seals
Silicone is a synthetic rubber produced by mixing silicon with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other additives. Unlike other polymers, silicone has a Si-O structure instead of a carbon-based structure. These features give silicone seals the following benefits:
● Acid and solvent resistance: Silicone can resist solvents, acids, bases, oils, chemicals, and water, so it performs well in sealing applications that involve these substances.
● Weather and temperature resistance: Unlike natural rubber, silicone is fit for outdoor gasket applications because it can withstand ozone, UV rays, and high temperatures.
● Versatility: Most silicone sealing applications are found in consumer goods: baking sealants, swim goggles, food storage containers, and appliances. However, they are versatile enough for use in industrial applications as well, such as plumbing components, electrical insulation, automotive seals, and construction equipment.
● Medical safety: Medical applications of silicone seals include incubators, dialysis machines, and pumps. Silicone gaskets are biocompatible and nontoxic, and certain grades are FDA-approved for use in medical settings.
Heat Survival vs. Functionality: The Influence of Heat on Silicone Rubber
Withstanding a heat aging test does not necessarily indicate the rubber’s fitness for a certain application. Most heat aging tests assess elongation and tensile strength as markers of permanent deformation after exposure to high temperatures. However, materials that pass these tests can still perform poorly in real-world applications because of the longer duration of exposure to elevated temperatures.
Even if these temperatures are not as high as testing temperatures, continuous, extended exposure can still cause the rubber to exhibit compression set. Compression set is a level of permanent deformation that a material takes on as a result of a certain period and amount of compression. When comparing different rubber sealing materials, note their test temperatures as well as their compression set properties. Compared to natural rubber, which is heat age tested at 23 ˚C, silicone rubber is heat age tested at about 170 ˚C and retains its functionality and stability above this temperature.
Why Choose Caserta for Your High-Temperature Gasket Needs?
For over 70 years, Thomas A. Caserta, Inc. has manufactured custom high-quality rubber products for clients in critical industries around the world. In addition to high-temperature gaskets and seals, we produce tubing, cords, washers, and bushings. Our experts work with silicone, EPDM, nitrile, neoprene, SBR, and Viton®, and we can customize products according to your unique specifications for size, application, color, and adhesives.
To make high-temperature silicone gaskets, we perform manufacturing processes like die cutting, lathe cutting, and waterjet cutting to produce superior results. As a high-temperature gasket material supplier, we understand the unique needs of various demanding applications and strive to deliver reliable solutions for them. Request more information today to learn more about our products and services.
Industries Served
- Aerospace
- Appliance
- Automotive
- Construction
- Electrical
- Fastening
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
- Plumbing
Materials Used
These are the most common material but we are not limited to them:
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) - Excellent weatherability, good high and low temperature resistance, and low gas permeability. Resistant to ozone, steam, water, alcohols, and brake fluids. Poor resistance to petroleum oils, and diester lubricants. Temperature range: -60°F to 280°F.
Neoprene - Good general purpose elastomer, with moderate oil, ozone and water resistance. Resistant to freons, high aniline points oils, mild acids. Not recommended for phosphate esters, ketones, brake fluids. Temperature range: -65°F to 260°F.
Nitrile - Excellent resistance to petroleum products, excellent compression set; resistant to oil, water, silicone greases and oils. Not recommended for halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, ozone and sunlight. Temperature Range: -65°F to 275°F.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) - General purpose elastomer, good adhesion to various substrates, good abrasion resistance, good resiliince. Resistant to brake fluids, alcohols, water. Not recommended for solvents, oil/gas, sunlight. Temperature range: -65°F to 225°F.
Silicone - Best overall temperature range of elastomers currently available. Excellent resistance to dry heat, as well as, resistance to low temperature, brake fluids, high aniline point oils. Not recommended for some dynamic applications due to poor tensile strength and tear. Poor in petroleum oils and ketones. Temperature range: -150° to 500°F.
Viton® - Outstanding resistance to the effects of heat, chemicals, and solvents. Viton® has good tensile, resistance and low compression set. Limitations include poor low-temperature properties, limited hot-water resistance and shrinkage. Temperature range: -50° to 600°F.
Quality
At Thomas A. Caserta, Inc. our quality objective is to provide our customers with quality service that meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. Our highly trained and experienced production operators and strict quality control procedures enable us to consistently deliver defect-free products.
What is guillotine rubber cutting and how does it work?
Guillotine rubber cutting is a method of creating shapes, strips, and gaskets out of rubber. The process entails using a guillotine cutting machine to cut through a sheet of rubber material by pressing it with a blade. The blade is guided up and down along the length of the rubber sheet to achieve the desired shape or size. The rubber is then cut into small strips, circles, rectangles, and other shapes depending on the application's needs.
When cutting through rubber sheets, the guillotine cutting process uses a sharp blade that creates a clean cut with minimal deformation along the edges. The blade can be adjusted to create different thicknesses depending on how much force is applied and how deep it enters the material. This adjustable feature allows for more creative cuts, such as jagged edges or complex curves.
Benefits of using guillotine cutting over traditional methods
Guillotine cutters give businesses advantages, making them increasingly popular in industrial environments. The following are some of the key benefits of using this advanced technology:
- Efficiency: Guillotine cutters reduce the time and effort required for rubber cutting compared to manual or die-cutting methods. This means that production can be completed faster and more efficiently, leading to cost savings due to reduced labor hours. In addition, these machines offer precise cuts consistent from one product to another, ensuring quality and accuracy throughout the production process.
- Safety: Guillotine rubber cutting is the safety it provides. These machines are designed to provide an ergonomic working environment for their operators and reduce the risk of accidents or injuries due to manual handling. With these advanced tools, businesses can maintain a safer and more efficient production line.
- Cost savings: Guillotine cutters offer cost savings in materials due to their highly precise nature. This means less material will be wasted during rubber cutting as exact measurements can be achieved with each guillotine cut. The resulting increase in efficiency leads to higher profits for businesses that utilize this technology.
Applications of the guillotine cutting method for rubber washers
The guillotine cutting method has many applications in a variety of industries.
In the aerospace industry, rubber washers can be used for airtight seals between components and to prevent vibration or damage to electrical wiring.
In appliances, rubber washers are an integral part of refrigerators, stoves, and other large home appliances. The automotive industry uses rubber washers to cushion parts when attached; this helps create a snug fit that reduces rattling and wear and tear on the equipment.
In construction, rubber washers are often used as gaskets between two metal parts and help provide a water-resistant seal between them. For example, buildings may use rubber washers with mounting hardware to ensure that rain and moisture do not damage the walls from the inside. The electrical industry also relies on rubber washers for insulation and to protect wires from vibration or possible short-circuiting.
Fastening components can be easily secured with various rubber washers, creating a secure fit that will stay in place over time. Many OEMs also use this method to create custom solutions for their product designs; for example, they may choose specific shapes, sizes, or materials to ensure that every part fits together perfectly without gaps or loose areas.
Plumbing is another area where rubber washer-cutting methods are handy. Using this cutting process to size up the exact diameter of each washer needed, plumbers can create a tight seal with no room for leakage, ensuring that the pipes and joints remain watertight.
