Choose silicone rubber -- the material that works for you

Silicone rubber is an inorganic synthetic elastomer made from a crosslinked silicon-based polymer reinforced with filler. It offers a unique combination of chemical and mechanical properties organic elastomers cannot match.

These properties make silicone rubber the material of choice for applications ranging from bakeware to turbocharger hoses.

Why silicone rubber is the better choice

• Longer service life in adverse environments
• Virtually unaffected by weather -- rain, snow, humidity, ozone, or the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays -- for many years
  • Organic elastomers may become brittle and crack under prolonged exposure to the environment
• Wider operating temperature range -- from -100 to 316ºC (-148 to 600ºF)
  • Organic elastomers soften and deform irreversibly at temperatures >100ºC (>212ºF); they become brittle at temperatures <-25ºC (<-13ºF)
• Inherently good electrical insulating qualities that do not change significantly under exposure to severe environmental stress (heat, cold, moisture, oil, ozone, UV rays)
• Retains its natural flexibility and resilience (resists compression set) across a wider temperature range
• Enhances the comfort and feel of consumer goods
• Excellent sealing performance
• Inert (no taste or smell); many food-contact options
• More choices -- a wide hardness range (from 10 to 80 Shore A), a wide range of color choices (from transparent to brightly colored)
• Better flow properties -- easier to fabricate, increases productivity
• More fabricating options, increased productivity

Let silicone rubber inspire your next design

With the flexibility of silicone rubber, you have endless design options in rubber fabrication. Silicone rubber can be molded, calendered, or extruded in different forms, shapes, sizes, and designs.

If one of our standard silicone materials does not meet your performance and processing requirements exactly, we will tailor or custom compound one especially for you.

Let Dow corning help you fully realize your design opportunities.