What is a silicone rubber gasket?
Silicone rubber gaskets have become widely popular across many sectors thanks to their impressive properties. They are used in both indoor and outdoor applications, serving companies across the world, and becoming core parts of many products/applications.
However, what are silicone rubber gaskets and seals, and why are they beneficial?
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What Is A Silicone Rubber Gasket?
In simple terms, these gaskets are mechanical seals that are made from silicone. This is a synthetic rubber, but it stands apart from many of the other synthetic rubber options on the market.
Silicone is unique in that its molecular chain doesn’t contain any carbon. Rather, it will have silicon atoms and oxygen, both of which alternate along the chain. When this combination is present, it is known as polysiloxane. It is this feature that makes silicone vastly different from other synthetic rubbers as it gives it some special performance characteristics.
What Are The Benefits Of Silicone Rubber Gaskets?
There are many reasons to consider using silicone rubber seals or gaskets in your applications. For one, it is physiologically inert – meaning it is not toxic and cannot act upon the body in a harmful way. Therefore, we see it used in industries such as food, pharmaceutical, and medical.
Aside from this, silicone gaskets have stupendous resistance to heat at 200 degrees Celsius continuously. Essentially, this means it can be exposed to this level of heat for a continued period without suffering or degrading. Furthermore, it can handle 220 degrees Celsius of intermittent heat as well.
Heat resistance is one thing, and silicone gaskets are also resistant to extremely cold temperatures. So much so that the silicone remains flexible and bendy at as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius. This is combined with its resistance to the following:
- UV light
- Ozone
- Weather conditions
Consequently, it’s clear to see why so many outdoor applications will call upon silicone seals; the material is really well-suited to outdoor conditions.
That’s not where the benefits end, for silicone is also an excellent insulator of electricity. Thus, these seals are regularly used when electrical wiring is present, offering protection from the live current.
Finally, silicone gaskets also show very low levels of flammability, alongside shockingly low smoke toxicity. All of these benefits come together to make this a unique synthetic rubber that has numerous uses and can be highly versatile.
Where Are They Commonly Used?
Silicone seals and gaskets can be used across all sorts of sectors. Some of the most popular uses can be found in the following fields:
- Aerospace
- Medical
- Pharmaceutical
- Food
- Mobile technologies
- Energy
High-Quality Silicone Gaskets For All Your Needs
At Munsch & Co/PTM Ltd, we manufacture silicone seals that are made for all of your needs. We can produce silicone gaskets in a range of different colours, hardness and thicknesses. With many years of experience, you can feel comfortable knowing that you are receiving high-quality products that are built to last. All of the ingredients in our silicone products have been thoroughly checked, tested and cleared against the latest update of the CFR21 FDA 177-2600 ingredient listings. For more information, contact us today!
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