Here at Viking extrusions, a common question that we get asked is ‘what temperatures can silicone withstand?’ Well, there is not exactly a definitive answer as they have so many unique and general purposes.
Silicone rubber can withstand extreme temperatures, whereas other polymers such as polyurethane, nitrile and polyacrylate can not. Being able to withstand both low temperatures and high temperatures is truly what helps it to stand out amongst other rubbers.
Silicone seals and gaskets typically have a high temperature limit of 400° F to 450° F and a low temperature limit of -65° F to -100° F. This makes silicone the preferred material for applications with demanding temperature requirements.
What is silicone made of?
When discussing the temperature range of silicone, it is important to understand how the material is made and what the material is made of.
Silicon is a synthetic polymer made from the chemical element silicon. Silicon is the raw chemical element and silicone is the rubber material.
Silicon is most commonly found as silica which is an oxide of silicon. While primarily derived from silicon, the silicone formulation also includes hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.
In order to make silicone, silicon and silicon dioxide compound silica must be isolated from each other. To do this they heat quartz sand to temperatures up to 180 C. Then there are multiple processes to go through where silicon and methyl chloride are combined and heated. It is then distilled into a polymerised siloxane known as polydimethylsiloxane which can then be polymerised.
How hot can silicone get before it melts?
Due to its impressively wide temperature range, silicon does not melt as a result of temperature alone.
Most plastics begin to melt when met with high temperatures. Silicone, however, exhibits unique behaviour when in high-temperature environments. Silicone does not have a melting point but instead remains solid until combustion occurs. At extreme temperatures (above 200 C) silicone slowly begins to lose its mechanical properties, becoming harder and more brittle.
This process is further accelerated when met with even higher temperatures of over 300 C. While there is no set temperature for high-temperature silicone auto ignition, it generally occurs at around 450 C.
What temperatures can silicone rubber Withstand?
FAQ
How heat resistant is silicone?
What is the heat capacity of silicone rubber?
What temperature is silicone safe until?
What is the best rubber for high heat?
What temperature can silicone rubber withstand?
Silicone rubber, unlike the majority of other rubbers, can withstand extreme temperatures way above 200°C and down to as low as -60°C without deforming.
What temperature does silicone rubber melt?
Silicone begins to lose elasticity and hardens over time. Silicone becomes harder but remains unmelted. Exact behavior may vary depending on grade and composition. The melting temperature of silicone rubber spans from approximately 1000°F (537.778°C) to 2577.2°F (1414°C), highlighting its ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
What temperature can silicone withstand?
It offers outstanding high-temperature resistance, with some compounds able to withstand temperatures up to 305 °C. Although suitable for applications involving exposure to UV, ozone and weathering, silicone is not recommended in use with specific temperatures and may not always offer the mechanical properties required.
What type of rubber withstands extreme temperature?
Silicone is the number one extreme temperature rubber available. It offers outstanding high-temperature resistance, with some compounds able to withstand temperatures up to 305 °C.