Silicone Elastomers

A group of elastomers, made
from silicone, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon, silicones are renowned for
their retention of flexibility and low compression set characteristics,
within one of the widest working temperature ranges for elastomers.

Key Use: Static Seals in extreme temperature situations. Seals for medical devices, compatible with FDA regulations.

Working Temperature Range: - 65 ^oF to + 450 ^oF. (Dry Heat Only).

Features: Especially
resistant to highly, dry heat, in primarily static applications,
special silicone compounds have been manufactured to resist up to 600 ^oF
heat for short time duration. Maximum elevated temperature for
continuos service, however, remains at 450 ^oF .at the opposite end of the
temperature scale, the low limit for silicone flexibility is -75 ^oF.

In
addition to their resistance extremes, silicone is noted for their high
resistance to the aging effect of both sunlight and ozone attack.

Silicone is also fungus rest, orderlies, tasteless and nontoxic.

Limitations: Poor
tensile and tear strength low abrasion resistance and high friction
characteristics preclude silicones from effective sealing use in most
dynamic situation.

Many silicon compound also exhibit
higher than normal mold shrinkage, result in undersized, molded
finished parts (from standard molds).

Unless specially
compounded, silicones swell considerably in aliphatic and aromatic
hydrocarbon fuels. They should also be considered NON- resistance to
petroleum oils, although they can be used in high aniline point oils.

Silicon
is highly permeable to gases, and are generally not recommended for
exposure to ketones (MEK; acetone), concentrated acid, or steam.