Translucent Silicone Sheeting & Uncured Compounds
Translucent silicone sheeting is the material of choice for demanding industrial, medical, and hygienic gasketing applications where visual process confirmation is critical. Unlike opaque pigmented elastomers, high-purity translucent silicone allows light to pass through without adding color additives or plasticizers that could leach into sensitive fluid streams.
At ElastaPro Silicone Solutions, we manufacture high-purity translucent silicone sheeting, continuous roll stock, and uncured compounds engineered for extreme thermal stability (-65°F to +500°F), low extractables, and long-term durability.
Manufactured at our Santa Fe Springs, CA facility under an ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100D quality management system, every lot delivers total traceability and consistent mechanical performance.
Need Custom Dimensions, Technical Datasheets, or Material Samples?
We supply continuous rolls, pre-cut sheets, and uncured compounds in thicknesses from 0.005” to 0.500” and custom widths up to 62” with optional pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing.
Request a Quote (RFQ)Translucent vs. Optically Clear vs. Opaque Silicone Sheeting
Selecting the right elastomer grade depends on your requirements for light transmission, purity, and material cost. The table below outlines how translucent silicone compares to other elastomer options:
| Property / Feature | Translucent Silicone | Optically Clear Silicone | Opaque Pigmented Silicone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Clarity | Semi-transparent (Diffuses background / Frosted light transmission) | High optical transparency (~90%+ light transmission) | Opaque (Zero light transmission) |
| Pigment / Fillers | Zero color additives or heavy metals | Specialized high-purity polymer formulation | Contains organic pigments or iron oxides |
| Leachables / Extractables | Ultra-Low (Ideal for high-purity media) | Ultra-Low | Low to Moderate (Depends on color additive) |
| Primary Application | Fluid verification, hygienic seals, sight-glass gaskets | Optical lenses, sight windows, display protection | General industrial environmental seals & covers |
| Relative Cost | Cost-Effective / Standard B2B Grade | Premium / Specialized Optical Grade | Economical / General Commercial Grade |
Supply Formats & Technical Configurations
ElastaPro supplies translucent silicone in two primary manufacturing forms to support both direct component converting and custom molding operations:
1. Cured Translucent Silicone Sheeting & Continuous Rolls
Delivered fully cured and ready for precision die cutting, waterjet cutting, flash cutting, or slitting.
- Standard Widths: 36″ (914 mm), 48″ (1219 mm), and custom widths up to 62″ (1575 mm).
- Thickness Range: 0.005″ to 0.500″ (0.13 mm to 12.7 mm).
- Roll Lengths: Continuous rolls up to 300+ feet depending on thickness.
- Cut Sheet Dimensions: 12″ × 12″, 24″ × 24″, 36″ × 36″, 48″ × 48″, or custom converted die-cut blanks.
- Adhesive Backing: Factory-applied Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) available upon request.
2. Uncured Translucent Silicone Compounds
Raw, uncured silicone formulations ready for compression molding, transfer molding, extrusion, or calendering.
- Base Elastomers: VMQ, FVMQ (Fluorosilicone), and PVMQ base formulations.
- Cure Systems: Platinum-cured (addition cure) for zero volatile by-products and ultra-low extractables, or peroxide-cured for robust high-temperature performance.
- Delivery Form: Supplied off the mill in continuous rolls or pre-formed ~0.250″ sheets with protective poly liners.
Material Grades & Standards Compliance
We compound translucent silicone across a full spectrum of performance grades to match your specific environmental, regulatory, and mechanical demands:
| Grade | Regulatory & Industry Standards | Key Feature / Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Food Grade | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, BfR XV, EFSA | Repeated food contact, beverage transfer lines, dairy processing seals. |
| Medical & Pharmaceutical Grade | USP Class VI, ISO 10993 Biocompatible | Medical device gaskets, fluid manifold seals, tubing interfaces. |
| Commercial / Industrial Grade | General industrial gasketing specs | Cost-effective environmental seals, sight glass gaskets, protective covers. |
| Extreme High-Temp Grade | -65°F to +500°F (-54°C to +260°C) | High-heat oven seals, aerospace/automotive fluid inspection ports. |
| Fiberglass Reinforced Grade | High tensile / tear resistance specs | Dimensionally stable diaphragms requiring light transmission. |
Technical Specifications: Physical & Mechanical Properties
ElastaPro translucent silicone sheeting is available in durometers ranging from 20 to 80 Shore A. Below are representative physical properties for our standard FDA-compliant translucent series:
| Product Code | Durometer (Shore A) | Tensile Strength (PSI) | Elongation (%) | Tear Resistance (PPI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESS20FDA-TRANS | 20 ± 5 | 750 | 850 | 70 |
| ESS30FDA-TRANS | 30 ± 5 | 800 | 800 | 80 |
| ESS40FDA-TRANS | 40 ± 5 | 900 | 750 | 90 |
| ESS50FDA-TRANS | 50 ± 5 | 1,000 | 650 | 100 |
| ESS60FDA-TRANS | 60 ± 5 | 1,100 | 500 | 110 |
| ESS70FDA-TRANS | 70 ± 5 | 1,050 | 400 | 100 |
| ESS80FDA-TRANS | 80 ± 5 | 1,000 | 300 | 90 |
Need custom durometers, specialized colors, or non-standard physical properties? Contact us for custom compounding.
Key Advantages of ElastaPro Translucent Silicone
- Visual Process Verification: Diffuses background light so operators can visually confirm fluid movement, monitor gasket compression, and check sanitary line cleanliness.
- Non-Yellowing UV & Thermal Stability: Platinum-cured grades resist thermal degradation, yellowing, ozone exposure, and outdoor weathering over extended operational life cycles.
- Hygienic & Cleanroom Safe: Formulation is completely free of phthalates, plasticizers, heavy metals, and organic fillers.
- Broad Temperature Operating Range: Retains full flexibility and sealability from sub-zero conditions (-65°F) up to continuous operational heat of +450°F (intermittent peak up to 500°F).
- Converting Ready: Smooth surface geometry accepts acrylic or silicone Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) for fast gasket installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between translucent silicone and clear silicone?
Translucent silicone allows light transmission while diffusing objects behind it (similar to frosted glass). Clear (or transparent) silicone provides optical clarity where distinct objects must remain sharply visible. Translucent grades are typically the most cost-effective solution for standard visual gasketing, fluid monitoring, and seal verification.
Is translucent silicone safe for direct food and beverage contact?
Yes. ElastaPro manufactures translucent silicone grades fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, BfR XV, and EFSA guidelines. Because it contains zero added color pigments, it drastically reduces extraction risks in food, dairy, and beverage processing equipment.
Can ElastaPro supply translucent silicone with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)?
Yes. We supply solid translucent silicone sheet rolls with factory-applied acrylic or silicone PSA backing to streamline gasket converting, eliminate secondary bonding steps, and speed up assembly line installation.
What cure systems are available for translucent uncured compounds?
We offer both platinum-cure (addition cure)—which yields zero volatile by-products and superior clarity—and peroxide-cure systems engineered for cost-efficient, high-volume molding and extrusion operations.