Solid silicone, or silicone rubber, isa chemically inert polymerthat belongs to the group of universal, flexible rubbers. Used primarily in industry, where it is necessary to use products with high resistance to external factors. Other names under which solid silicone can be foundare:

MVQ rubbers whose chemical name is poly(methyl vinyl-siloxane) and short for VMGI
VMQ rubber, chemically: poly(methylyloxane) with vinyl groups
Silicone VMQ Silastic
silicone
Wacker from Silkonkautschuk
Silastomer

Polysiloxanes, especially the first two of these, are multimolecular rubbers, which are organosiloxane polymers. Their chains are made up of silicon and oxygen atoms, they are very resistant, so they can be used in harsh environmental conditions. They will work wherever other technical rubbers can’t handle it.

Solid silicone – advantages

Silicone rubber has a lot of advantages, which is why it is a valued material in industry. The main advantages of solid rubber are:

dielectric properties
very high flexibility and compressibility, although it can deform slightly under high pressure
well passed gases
resistance to twisting, crushing, breaking
subjected to even long-term operation, has resistance to oxidation
resistance to low and high temperatures – continuous operation in conditions from -60 degrees to +180 degrees Celsius, periodically silicone can work in up to +250 degrees
uv and infrared resistance
steam resistance up to 3 atmospheres
non-flammability
long-term storage does not adversely affect its properties
ozone resistance
silicone does not undergo heat and atmospheric aging
physiologically harmless and food-induit
smooth surface allows you to easily maintain hygiene and cleanliness
resistance to many chemicals

Solid rubber silicone – parameters

Before silicone products go on sale, manufacturers are required to test them. In particular, tear and stress strength, deformation, stretching to determine the moment of rupture are checked. These tests provide an opportunity to obtain specific parameters that solid silicone is supposed to achieve. Individual parameters and some methods of determining them:

Shore hardness (Sh’A unit of measure), different ranges, but the silicons in the range 50-70 Shore A work best.
tensile strength (MPa unit of measure), also tested by DIN 53505, DIN 53504-S1 and BS EN ISO 37
tear strength (N/mm unit of measurement), determined by method BS EN ISO 903 and ASTM D624-B
strain test by compression (unit of measure), method DIN 53517 type II and BS 903 pt A6 type B
thermal conductivity (unit of measure W/m x K), checked VDE 0304
point of fragility (unit of measure degrees Celsius), determined by ASTM D746
uv resistance (Gray unit of measure)
electrical strength/dielectric constant/dielectric loss factor/electrical resistivity – all tested by VDE method 0303
operating temperature range (unit of measure degrees Celsius)

Solid silicone – silicone rubber and FDA certified

Current European Union law requires silicone products to comply with FDA Certificate 21 CFR 177.2600 “Rubber products intended for repeated contact with food”. The standards are very strict in terms of contact with drinking water and skin.

Solid silicone – colours and application

Solid silicone can have several colors, each with individual parameters and characteristics characteristic of each other. It is distinguished by white, transparent, black and brick red. Due to its properties, silicone rubber has been used in many industries. Where is solid silicone used?

seals and gasket production
Insulation
food industry
medical industry
packaging industry
Pharmaceuticals
construction and machinery industry

Solid silicone – silicone rubber where it can not be used?

Despite its fantastic properties, solid silicone also has its limitations. It must not be used with strong inorganic acids and bases, organic acids (formic, stearic, acetic), esters and ethers, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (such as toluene and xylene), ketones (acetone), or water vapour above 100 degrees Celsius. Conditionally, it will do well at lower concentrations of acids and hydrocarbons.

Silicone rubber – where will it work?

Solid silicone is highly resistant to mineral oils and lubricants, diluted salt solutions, alcohols (including food alcohols), water up to 100 degrees Celsius, oxygen and ozone, ammonia, margarine, octanoamide, coconut oil, olive oil, caustic soda, table salt, vaseline, sodium carbonate, oxidised water, calcium hydroxide, diesel, or 2-propanol with low concentration.

Solid silicone – plates

Silicone plates can be obtained with many different thicknesses, widths and other parameters. The market offers a really wide range of these products. The thickness of the plate begins at 0.5 mm, through 5 mm, and can end at 50 mm. Widths range from 10-1200 mm, and the length offered by manufacturers is up to 10 m. Solid silicone available from different manufacturers can be white, black, transparent and red. Silicone plates also differ in hardness, which depending on the product offered can reach from 5 to 90 Shore A.