What are the disadvantages of silicone gaskets?

With its unique properties and versatility, silicone rubber has revolutionised numerous industries. From automotive and aerospace to healthcare and electronics, silicone rubber has become a go-to choice for manufacturers seeking a high-performance material. With its exceptional durability, heat resistance, and flexibility, silicone rubber strips, sheet material and gaskets offer a wide range of benefits that make it suitable for diverse applications.

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Silicone rubber is an elastomer, formed through a curing process. It starts as a gel-like material consisting of silicone polymers, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, before it is exposed to a curing process to convert into a solid, rubber-like material. There are different curing systems used, such as platinum-based curing, condensation curing and peroxide curing. The specific curing process used depends on the desired properties of the silicone rubber and the applications it will be used for. 

Whilst there are many advantages to selecting silicone rubber, it does have certain limitations for some uses. If you are looking for the right material to choose for a certain application, read on to explore the key characteristics of silicone rubber and its pros and cons for different industrial applications.

Conversion into silicone rubber sheet, silicone rubber strips and gaskets

One of the key advantages of this elastomer is that it can be converted into many different products. In addition to rubber sheet material, silicone sheeting can be cut into silicone rubber strips and gaskets for use in a wide range of applications. In addition to cutting, silicone rubbers can also be moulded, extruded and fabricated to manufacture a range of 3D products.

Excellent sealing capabilities

Silicone is an excellent sealing material as it is extremely flexible, with high tensile strength. Whereas rigid gasket materials can break under repeated stress, silicone rubber maintains excellent elasticity, maintaining its desired shape and continuing to function optimally.

Silicone rubber is not only a highly flexible material, it maintains this characteristic when exposed to a range of different conditions, making it an ideal sealing material. One of its key benefits is that it has very good thermal stability, withstanding temperatures as low as -60&#; and as high as 230&#;.

As well as excellent temperature resistance, silicone also performs well under exposure to ozone and UV, and has a high level of resistance to water, along with chemicals and oils. When you consider the above characteristics, it is understandable why it is commonly chosen for use in automotive, aerospace and outdoor applications, where resistance to varying temperatures, environmental exposure and various liquids and chemicals is vital.

FDA and WRAS approved

Silicone rubber is an inert material and can undergo a range of different sterilisation processes, making it an ideal material for medical, food and engineering purposes where sterile conditions are crucial. In addition to being FDA approved for use with food, silicone is also WRAS approved for use with drinking water.

The disadvantages of silicone rubber materials

Whilst silicone is highly versatile due to its many advantages, it does have some limitations. Firstly, whilst highly flexible, some grades of silicone exhibit poor tear strength compared to other elastomers. For applications in abrasive environments, with high levels of mechanical stress, silicone may not be the best suited gasket or sealing material. However, it&#;s important to consider that advancements in silicone technology have led to the development of grades with higher tear resistance.

Another potential con of choosing silicone is that it can be quite costly compared with natural rubber and other elastomers. Whilst choosing silicone rubber may be costly in large quantities, it&#;s important to weigh up these costs against the many advantages that the material brings.

Silicone Manufacturers

If you have questions about silicone rubber strips or sheet material, or are seeking advice on material selection, contact our experienced team today. We are here to provide advice on the best materials for each application, along with the best suited manufacturing methods.

Gaskets are crucial sealing and cushioning materials for various residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Selecting the right kind of polymer for the gaskets is key to preventing repair costs, downtime, and other adverse effects should the sealing fail. 

Silicone and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) are popular materials used for gaskets. However, their properties have different pros and cons for certain applications, so the best material choice depends on your industry or application.

Read on to learn more as we discuss the differences between EPDM vs. silicone gaskets, including their respective properties, compositions, benefits, and applications. 

What Is EPDM?

EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber created by mixing various proportions of ethylene, propylene, and diene. The major component is ethylene, which takes up 45% to 75%, while diene monomers give EPDM its cross-linking structure that provides great flexibility, resilience, and durability. EPDM&#;s molecular mesh structure also gives it superior elasticity and resistance to aging. 

EPDM rubber is resistant to heat, cold, ozone, steam, electricity, UV rays, abrasion, and water, so it is preferred for various outdoor and harsh environments. Some of its applications include non-slip coatings for decks, cooling system hoses, roofing, HVAC systems, plumbing, and window and door seals in vehicles.

Pros & Cons of EPDM 

Here is an overview of the advantages of using EPDM gaskets:

• Lower cost than silicone

  : EPDM is a great choice if you are looking for a cost-effective option with excellent performance in harsh outdoor conditions.

• Water resistance

  : EPDM is more resistant to water than other rubbers, so it&#;s a popular choice for roofing and plumbing. 

• Steam resistance

  : This rubber can function in steam conditions up to 392 °F without air and remains stable in high temperatures. 

• Abrasion and weather resistance

  : EPDM rubber has excellent resistance to abrasion and can withstand the degrading effects of ozone, weathering, and UV ray exposure. 

• High tensile strength

  : EPDM has a higher tensile strength compared to silicone and other polymers. 

EPDM has some disadvantages in certain applications:

• Not food-safe

  : EPDM rubber is unsafe for food applications due to its chemistry and formulation. 

• Does not withstand automotive fluids

  : EPDM breaks down with exposure to automotive fluids such as hydrocarbon fuel, grease, and oil.

What Is Silicone Rubber?

Silicone or polysiloxane is an inert synthetic compound available in different forms, including rubber, resin, or oil. Silicone rubber is manufactured by extracting silicon from silica, passing it via hydrocarbons, and combining the resultant material with chemicals to form the rubber. It&#;s a polymer that contains silicon, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and sometimes other elements.

Silicone is highly flexible and temperature-resistant. It is also gas permeable, nonstick, hypoallergenic, flame-resistant, and chemically inert. These properties make silicone a popular choice for adhesives, sealants, medical applications, insulation, cookware, and lubricants.

Pros & Cons of Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber gaskets provide the following benefits:

• Suitable for a wide range of applications

  : Silicone is highly versatile and ideal for a wide range of applications. 

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• High thermal resistance

  : It can withstand extremely high (482 °F) and low (-67 °F) temperatures. 

• Food-safe

  : Silicone is safe to use in food and beverage processing applications due to its unique chemistry.  

• Resistant to automotive fluids

  : Silicone does not degrade with exposure to automotive fluids. 

• Good compression set

  : The material has an even better compression set than EPDM.

• Long lifespan

  : Silicone has a longer lifespan, saving on replacement costs and reducing equipment downtime. 

The material has some drawbacks if these factors influence your project:

• Expensive

  : Silicone costs more based on the specific material formulation. 

• Swells when exposed to water

  : Silicone is not suitable for water-based applications because it swells when exposed to water.

EPDM vs. Silicone Properties

Here&#;s a comparison table summarizing the differences between EPDM and silicone gaskets:

EPDM Silicone Temperature Range

-40 °F to 302 °F (-40 °C to 150 °C)

-67 °F to 482 °F (-55 °C to 250 °C) 

Weather Resistance

Excellent

Excellent when modified

Oil Resistance

Poor

Great

Tear Strength

Great

Good

Abrasion Resistance

Good

Poor

Ozone/UV Resistance

Excellent

Excellent

Dielectric Properties

Poor

Excellent

Flame Resistance

Good

Great

Acid/Alkali Resistance

Excellent

Poor

Tensile Strength

14 MPa

5 MPa

Industrial Rubber Gaskets From Fournier Rubber & Supply

While gaskets are relatively inexpensive components, it&#;s important to choose the right gasket material for your specific use. Most gasket failures occur because the material is wrong for that environment. So, before choosing either EPDM or silicone rubber as a gasket material, you should first consider the extent to which these factors will influence gasket performance: 

• Abrasion

• Pressure 

• Temperature

• Electromagnetic interference

• Chemicals, UV, and ozone 

For help choosing the perfect gasket material or to start your project, request a quote from Fournier Rubber today.

For more information, please visit Custom Silicone Gaskets.