Silicone & Elastomer
Materials Guide
Selecting the right material is the most critical decision in any elastomer part. Wrong material = early failure, warranty claims, or regulatory non-compliance. This guide covers the 6 materials we process most frequently.
Quick Selection Guide
Not sure which material you need? Find your application below and jump to the detailed section.
| Your Requirement | Recommended Material | Temp Range | Jump To |
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| Food contact (FDA / LFGB) | FDA Silicone (HTV or LSR) | -60~+230°C | → HTV |
| Medical / biocompatible | LSR (platinum-cured) | -50~+200°C | → LSR |
| High temperature (>200°C) | High-Temp Silicone or FKM | -20~+250°C | → HTV / → FKM |
| Oil / fuel resistance | NBR or FKM | -40~+120°C | → NBR / → FKM |
| Weather / ozone / outdoor | EPDM or CR | -50~+150°C | → EPDM |
| Low compression set (sealing) | Silicone (LSR preferred) | -50~+200°C | → LSR |
| Flame retardant | UL94 V-0 Silicone or CR | -40~+200°C | → HTV FR |
| Conductive / ESD | Conductive Silicone | -60~+230°C | → HTV Cond. |
6 Materials We Process
From medical-grade LSR to industrial FKM — each material serves a specific engineering purpose
Solid Silicone (HTV)
Also called: Heat-Cured Silicone, High-Temperature Vulcanizing Silicone, VMQ
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Available Grades: General Purpose · High-Strength · High-Temperature · Low Compression Set · FDA/Food-Grade · Flame Retardant (UL94 V-0) · Conductive/ESD
Typical Applications: Industrial seals & gaskets · Food-processing equipment seals · Automotive sensors · HVAC gaskets · Consumer bakeware
Why Choose HTV: Widest hardness range (10-80 Shore A), excellent color matching capability, cost-effective for medium to high volume production, proven track record in demanding industrial applications.
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
Also called: Platinum-Cured LSR, Two-Part Liquid Silicone
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Key Advantages over HTV: Near-zero flash · Excellent for thin-wall parts · No post-cure required · Superior optical clarity · Ideal for cleanroom & medical
Certifications Available: FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 · USP Class VI · ISO 10993 · LFGB
Typical Applications: Baby bottle nipples & pacifiers · Medical catheters & seals · Wearable device straps · Food-contact bakeware · IP67/68 electronics seals
EPDM Rubber
Also called: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
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Typical Applications: HVAC weather seals · Automotive cooling seals · Window & door weather-stripping · Steam-resistant seals · Outdoor electrical enclosures
Why Choose EPDM: Unmatched ozone and UV resistance makes it the go-to material for any outdoor or weather-exposed application. Cost-effective for high-volume automotive and construction seals.
Industrial Rubber Compounds
Specialty elastomers engineered for extreme chemical, thermal, and mechanical environments
NBR (Nitrile)OIL & FUEL RESISTANT
Use for: O-rings, hydraulic seals, fuel system gaskets |
FKM (Viton®)HIGH-TEMP & CHEMICAL
Use for: Chemical seals, aerospace, high-temp automotive |
Material Comparison Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of all 6 materials across key performance criteria
| Property | HTV Silicone | LSR Silicone | EPDM | NBR | FKM | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Range (°C) | -60~+230 | -50~+200 | -50~+150 | -40~+120 | -20~+250 | -40~+120 |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 10-80 | 10-80 | 30-90 | 30-90 | 60-90 | 30-90 |
| Oil Resistance | Fair | Fair | Poor | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
| Weather/Ozone | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Excellent |
| Food/Medical Grade | FDA avail. | USP Class VI | No | No | No | No |
| Flame Retardant | UL94 V-0 | Limited | No | No | Limited | Self-ext. |
| Cost Level | $$ | $$$ | $ | $ | $$$$ | $$ |
| Color Options | Unlimited | Unlimited | Black mainly | Black/Brown | Brown/Black | Black mainly |
Legend: Green = Excellent · Orange = Fair/Limited · Red = Poor/Not available
Material Testing & Quality Assurance
Every material batch is tested to ensure consistent performance before production
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Not Sure Which Material?
Tell us your application environment, temperature range, and regulatory requirements. Our engineers will recommend the right material — free of charge.