Silicone rubber (VMQ)
Silicone is Exonel's specialist material. It stays elastic from roughly −60°C to +225°C, resists UV and ozone, and insulates well. We compression-mould and extrude it into seals, gaskets, O-rings, grommets, profiles, cords, tubing and sponge, with food-contact, medical-application and flame-retardant compounds available on request.
Indicative ranges. The exact grade and hardness are matched to your application.
Six base polymers, compared.
Temperature range, hardness and resistance for typical commercial compounds of each polymer. Ratings run from A (excellent) to X (not suitable).
| Material | Temp range (°C) | Hardness (Shore A) | Oil | Fuel | Acid | Base | Water / steam | Ozone / weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone (VMQ) | −60 to +225 | 20 to 90 | C | D | C | C | B | A |
| EPDM | −45 to +150 | 30 to 90 | X | X | A | A | A | A |
| FKM (Viton-type) | −20 to +200 | 50 to 95 | A | A | A | C | C | A |
| NBR | −40 to +120 | 20 to 100 | A | B | C | B | B | D |
| Neoprene (CR) | −40 to +120 | 15 to 95 | B | C | C | B | B | B |
| SBR | −50 to +100 | 30 to 100 | X | X | C | B | B | D |
Key: A Excellent · B Good · C Fair · D Poor · X Not suitable
Figures are the typical range across commercial compounds. Special grades extend several of these limits: silicone to −117°C and +260°C, FKM to −40°C, NBR to −57°C. Figures are indicative and are confirmed for your application before tooling.
Sources: o-ring.info, Basic properties of elastomers; Mykin Inc, Rubber properties; Delta Rubber, Rubber material comparison guide; GMORS, VMQ silicone (silicone temperature range).
Where it earns its place.
Widest temperature range
Elastic from deep cold to high heat, one of the broadest ranges of any common rubber.
Outdoor life
Ozone, UV and weather ageing without hardening or cracking.
Electrical insulation
High dielectric strength that holds across the temperature range. Flame-retardant grades available.
Food-contact and medical applications
Food-contact and medical-application grades can be compounded on request. Certification, where required, is arranged by the customer.
Extruded and moulded.
Extruded
Profiles, cords, tubing, strips and sponge in continuous section.
Moulded
Gaskets, seals, O-rings, grommets and bespoke parts to drawing.
Where it fits.
Lighting and LED
Heat and weather-resistant seals for sealed luminaires.
Electrical and switchgear
Insulating and flame-retardant seals and grommets.
HVAC and appliances
High-temperature gaskets and profiles.
Food and medical
Sealing components for food-contact and medical applications.
Where we would point you elsewhere.
Oils, fuels and solvents
Standard silicone swells in mineral oil and fuel. Use FKM or fluorosilicone (FVMQ).
High-abrasion dynamic duty
Silicone is best for static sealing. For dynamic wear, NBR suits better.
Common questions
What does VMQ mean?
What temperature can silicone rubber handle?
Do you supply silicone for food-contact or medical applications?
Is silicone good outdoors?
Can silicone be used with oils or fuels?
Need a silicone part?
Send your RFQ
Tell us what you need. Fields marked * are required. Everything else helps us recommend the compound.
Exonel Industries makes custom moulded and extruded rubber components in Howrah, Kolkata, West Bengal, and supplies manufacturers across India. We work in six base polymers, Silicone, EPDM, FKM, NBR, Neoprene and SBR, formulated into hundreds of compounds. Compounding, tooling and production are done in-house. Send a drawing, a sample or a specification for a quote.
