Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
Selection Guide
The term "silicone" covers a large group of materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts in which vinyl-methyl-silicone(VMQ) is often the central ingredient. These compounds can be synthesized with a wide variety of compositions and properties. Silicone seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts do not demonstrate the greatest tensile strength or wear resistance, but remain relatively unchanged over a very large temperature range. For these reasons, silicone seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are excellent for extreme temperatures in static applications. However, the low strength and wear resistance of silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts causes the seal to fail in many dynamic applications.
TKF Tech carries a range of silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts, and we are happy to custom tailor a seal to meet your application requirements! In addition to standard compression molding, silicone can also be injection molded in it's LSR (liquid silicone rubber) form. Silicone seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are popular in applications where extreme temperature fluctuations are common, such as the automotive and aerospace industries. Additionally, many silicone compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are physiologically neutral making them ideal for the medical and food industries.
Speak with a TKF Tech engineer or consultant for a product recommendation based on your needs.
Common names include: VQM (Silicone), PVMQ Trade Name: Silastic®, Elastosil®, Thermoflex®, Wacker, DOW Corning, DOWSIL.
Features of Silicone
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts can be compounded to meet FDA, USP Class VI, USDA, 3-A and Canada AG
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have excellent heat and compression resistance, excellent flexibility, good electrical insulator
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have excellent resistance to oxygen, ozone and sunlight
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have excellent resistance to animal and vegetable oil and grease
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are physiologically neutral and good resistance to fungal and biological attack
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are available in multiple compounds to meet performance and cost requirements
Limitations of Silicone
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are not recommended for dynamic applications since it has low strength, poor abrasion resistance and high gas permeability
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have poor resistance to concentrated solvents, oils, concentrated acids, diluted sodium hydroxide, hydrocarbon based fuels, and aromatic mineral oil
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have poor resistance to aromatic Hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene), aromatic mineral oil, acids and alkalis
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have poor resistance to superheated water or steam over 250°F
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Silicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have a Service Temperature Range of (varies with application): -90°F to 500°F (-68°C to 260°C). Depending on compound and application.
Please consult a TKF Tech Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
TKF Tech is a proud partner of Canyon Components, LLC and can provide Canyon Components materials, O-rings, and custom parts. Click here to see what Canyon has to offer.