Silicone rubber covers the widest temperature range of common seal materials – about –60 °C to +200 °C in general grades – and can be clear, coloured and very soft. That makes it the choice for oven and appliance door seals, high-temperature gaskets, clear door bottom sweeps and food-box sealing rings (food-contact compounds are specified at order). It costs more than EPDM and has lower tear and abrasion resistance, so it is not ideal where a seal is dragged or rubbed.
Typical properties
| Property | Silicone |
|---|---|
| Typical service temperature | about –60 °C to +200 °C |
| UV / ozone / weather | Excellent |
| Transparency / colours | Clear and any colour |
| Tear / abrasion | Low – avoid sliding wear |
| Hardness range | Very soft to about 80 Shore A |
| Relative cost | High |
Typical ranges for general-purpose compounds, for comparison only. The exact compound, hardness and section decide the real performance – tell us your conditions and we propose a material.
Good choice for
- Oven and appliance door seals
- High-temperature gaskets
- Clear door bottom and shower seals
- Food-box sealing rings (compound to be specified)
Avoid it for
- Seals subject to sliding friction or tearing
- Budget-driven outdoor door seals (EPDM is cheaper)