Avoid direct UV/ozone exposure, sharp objects, or heavy stacking.Do not store with PVC or plasticizers to prevent migrative contamination.
Keep in sealed bags in a cool, dry place (ideal: 10°C–25°C). For Further Assistance:
Please provide:
- Operating temperature range
- Media exposure
- Expected service life
- Certification requirements
- Annual volume estimate
We will supply a Material Selection Guide and Failure Analysis Template tailored to your application.
Silicone is thermoset and not biodegradable. However, it can be:
Physically recycled as filler for low-demand products.
Chemically decomposed to recover silica.
Replaced by bio-based silicone alternatives (partially from renewable resources).
MOQ: Usually 500–5,000 pieces, depending on mold complexity.
Lead Time: 15–25 days for tooling; 3–4 weeks for production after sample approval.
Tooling: Precision CNC-machined molds with optimized parting line design.
Process Control: Adjusted curing temperature/pressure to minimize shrinkage variance.
Post-Processing: Parts conditioned at constant temp/humidity for 24h before measurement.
Thermal Aging: Continuous high heat causes oxidative crosslinking.
Ozone/UV Exposure: Add UV stabilizers or use weather-resistant grades for outdoor use.
Chemical Attack: Swelling in non-polar solvents may lead to subsequent embrittlement.
Material Certificates: Request FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, LFGB, EU 10/2011 compliance docs.
Manufacturing Environment: Parts should be produced in a controlled clean area.
Test Reports: Ask for batch-specific data on extractables, heavy metals, and cytotoxicity (if applicable).
Silicone’s low surface energy and lack of active groups cause poor adhesion. Solutions:
Pre-treatment: Plasma treatment or primer application on the substrate.
Bonding during molding: Use self-adhesive silicone compounds or intermediary adhesives.
Yes. Phenyl silicone rubber (for -100°C to 300°C) or fluorosilicone rubber (for oil/fuel resistance with wide temperature range) can be used. Note: prolonged exposure >250°C will accelerate hardening. Share specific temperature profiles for life expectancy assessment.
Higher raw material cost (silicone raw gum is 2-5x more expensive).
More complex processing (post-curing required, precision molding).
Performance premium (extreme temperature range, chemical stability, biocompatibility).
Flash: Minor process flash can be trimmed. Critical sealing surfaces or dynamic parts must be flash-free to prevent leaks or wear.
Color Variation: Differences between batches do not affect physical properties. Provide Pantone codes for tighter color matching.
Temperature: >150°C or <-30°C continuous use favors silicone.
Media Exposure: Oils/fuels → NBR; acids/alkalis → EPDM or FKM; food/medical contact → platinum-cured silicone.
Mechanical Needs: High tensile strength → natural rubber; low permanent set → silicone.
Certifications: Specify requirements like FDA, LFGB, USP Class VI, RoHS, REACH.
Silicone is an inorganic polymer with a silicon-oxygen backbone, offering superior high/low-temperature resistance (-60°C to 230°C), weathering stability, and biocompatibility. Rubber (like EPDM, NBR) is an organic polymer with a carbon-carbon backbone. Properties vary by type: EPDM resists weather but not oils; NBR handles oils but not ozone. Choose silicone for extreme temperatures or food/medical uses; select rubber for elasticity, abrasion resistance, or specific chemical resistance.