1. Silicone Manufacturers USA

    Looking for silicone manufacturers USA? ElastaPro stands out among U.S. silicone manufacturers by combining technical expertise, diverse product grades, and customer-focused service, making it the best choice for engineers and manufacturers. Contact us to request a quote or to discuss your application.

    Silicone Manufacturers in the USA

    The United States hosts a competitive landscape of silicone manufacturers, supplying industries from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and food processing. These companies produce silicone in various forms—solid sheets, sponge, foam, and uncured compounds—each tailored to specific applications. Engineers rely on silicone for its temperature resistance, chemical stability, and flexibility, making it indispensable for seals, gaskets, medical devices, and high-performance components.

    While many suppliers offer silicone materials, the differentiating factors often come down to grade variety, compliance with standards, and responsiveness to customer needs. This is where ElastaPro excels.

    Why ElastaPro is the Best Choice

    ElastaPro, headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, is a Made-in-USA silicone supplier specializing in solid and cellular sheets as well as uncured compounds. Founded by industry veterans, the company leverages decades of experience to deliver materials that meet stringent specifications across multiple sectors.

    Key advantages include:

    • Extensive Grade Options: ElastaPro offers commercial, general purpose, FDA-compliant, medical (USP Class VI), fuel- and solvent-resistant, electrically conductive, fiberglass-reinforced, extreme temperature, flame-retardant, and metal-detectable grades.
    • Customization: Customers can specify durometer (20–90 Shore A), thickness, width, and even color, ensuring materials fit exact design requirements.
    • Performance: Products withstand temperatures from -65°F to +500°F, resist chemicals, and maintain mechanical integrity under stress.
    • Customer Experience: ElastaPro emphasizes speed, quality, and trust, with on-time deliveries and responsive service.

    This combination of technical breadth and customer-centric values positions ElastaPro as more than a supplier—it is a partner for engineers seeking reliable silicone solutions.

    Criteria Typical U.S. Manufacturers ElastaPro Advantage
    Product Range Limited grades Full spectrum: FDA, medical, conductive, extreme temp
    Customization Standard sizes only Tailored durometer, thickness, width, color
    Compliance General industrial FDA CFR 177.2600, USP Class VI, aerospace-grade
    Service & Delivery Variable Fast, reliable, customer-focused
    Expertise General chemical suppliers Industry veterans with decades of silicone specialization

    Silicone Manufacturers USA = ElastaPro

    For engineers and manufacturers evaluating silicone suppliers in the USA, ElastaPro offers unmatched versatility, compliance, and service. Its transparent silicone sheets, sponge materials, and uncured compounds are engineered to meet demanding applications, while its customer-first approach ensures projects stay on track. In a crowded market, ElastaPro’s combination of technical excellence and trustworthiness makes it the best choice for sourcing silicone materials.

  2. Military Silicones and Fluorosilicones

    ElastaPro makes military silicones and fluorosilicones that meet U.S. military specifications and standards. Collectively, these high-performance materials are sometimes referred to as MIL-SPEC silicones. ElastaPro supplies them as silicone sheets or uncured silicone compound. They’re proudly Made in America and come with a full Certificate of Analysis (COA) for traceability.

    • Uncured silicone compound arrives ready for curing and can be molded, extruded, or calendered.

    ElastaPro produces military silicones and fluorosilcones in accordance with our AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system (QMS). As North America’s largest manufacturer of solid silicone sheet, we’re committed to meeting the highest quality standards while supplying the MIL-SPEC silicones you need with the speed and value you deserve.

    What are Military Silicones and Fluorosilicones? 

    Military Silicones (VMQ), Phenyl Silicones (PVMQ) and Fluorosilicones (FVMQ) are formulated and manufactured to meet U.S. military specifications and standards for products such as seals, gaskets, O-rings, electrical insulation, and vibration damping. They can meet military detail specifications (MIL-DTL) or military standards for rubber products (MIL-R).

    The main difference between military silicones and fluorosilicones is that military fluorosilicones contain fluorine additions that maintain silicone’s excellent high-temperature stability and mechanical properties while offering greater resistance to fuel, oil, and other chemicals. Fluorosilicones tend to be more expensive, but they’re required for some applications.

    Military silicones and fluorosilicones also include materials that meet related specifications and standards. For example, some aerospace silicones and SAE International silicones have military applications because of their excellent material properties. Examples include AMS silicones and AMSR25988 fluorosilicones. ElastaPro makes these and other spec-grade rubber materials.

    Types of Military Silicones and Fluorosilicones

    ElastaPro makes MIL-SPEC silicones that meet the following specifications.

    • MIL-DTL-25988
    • MIL-R-25988
    • MIL-R-46089
    • MIL-R-6130
    • MIL-STD-417 TA
    • MIL-STD-670 TE12
    • WS14644

    MIL-DTL-25988

    MIL-DTL-25988 fluorosilicones meet the requirements of a U.S. military detail specification for a fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ) that resists fuels, oils, and high temperature. Materials are categorized by types, classes, and grades.  AMSR25988, an SAE International Standard, superseded MIL-DTL-25988 and is equivalent to the MIL-DTL-25988C, which still appears on some part drawings.

    MIL-R-25988

    MIL-R-25988 fluorosilicone meets the requirements of U.S. military specification for rubber materials that provide oil and fuel resistance, especially in aerospace applications. It contains two types and two classes. MIL-DTL-25988 superseded MIL-R-25988 and was in turn superseded by AMSR25988. Some part drawings still refer to MIL-R-25988, however.

    MIL-R-46089

    MIL-R-46089 silicone meets the requirements of a U.S. military specification for a closed-cell sponge silicone. It categorizes materials by grades, forms, and sheet sizes. ElastaPro makes medium-grade silicone sponge sheet in all three MIL-R-46089 sizes (codes): 12” x 12” (1), 24” x 24” (2), and 36” x 36” (3). ASTM D1056 superseded MIL-R-46089, but it’s still referenced on older part drawings.

    MIL-R-6130

    MIL-R-6130 silicone meets the requirements of a U.S. military specification for a chemically blown cellular rubber, a group of materials more commonly known as sponge rubber and foam rubber. This MIL-SPEC divides materials into types, grades, and conditions (firmness). ElastaPro makes Type II (closed-cell) silicones with medium firmness.

    MIL-STD-417 TA

    MIL-STD-417 TA silicone meets the requirements of a U.S. military standard for solid elastomer materials. The “TA” designation refers to silicones and is followed by a three-digit number. ElastaPro makes MIL-STD-417 TA silicones that range from TA 405 to TA810. Note that ASTM D2000 superseded this military standard and uses FC, FS, FE, or GE instead of TA.

    MIL-STD-670 TE12

    MIL-STD-670 TE12 silicone foam meets the requirements of a U.S. military standard for a closed-cell medium-density silicone foam for seals and gaskets. The TE12 designation indicates a specific firmness and density within the larger standard. This soft, compressible material is used to absorb shock and maintain a seal under harsh conditions.

    WS14644

    WS14655 silicone meets the requirements of a U.S. Navy specification for electrically conductive silicone rubber compounds. It’s divided into types and classes. ElastaPro makes Type III high conductivity, carbon black filled materials. Applications include EMI gaskets, anti-static components, and conductive pads and seals.

    Ask ElastaPro for Military Silicones and Fluorosilicones

    Do you need military silicones and fluorosilicones in high or low volumes? Whether you need a 2-lb. lab sample or 200,000 pounds of production material, we’re ready to help. That’s not all either. In addition to adhesive lamination, ElastaPro offers roll slitting and product development services. Thank you for learning more about us, and we invite you to contact ElastaPro for more information.

  3. ElastaPro’s Total Capabilities: Silicone Manufacturing and More

    Did you know that ElastaPro is North America’s largest manufacturer of solid silicone sheet? Here at our AS9100 Registered, Made in USA manufacturing facility in Santa Fe Springs, California, we also offer cellular silicone sheet and uncured silicone compound. More silicone buyers are learning about us, but there’s still some confusion about our total capabilities.

    For example, some customers think ElastaPro only fills large orders. Others think we only fill small orders instead. Yet ElastaPro welcomes both types of business. Whether you need a 2-lb. lab sample or 200,000 pounds of production material, we’re ready to meet your needs. Our minimum order quantity is just USD $100, and we can grow with you from laboratory scale to full-scale production.

    That’s not all. ElastaPro offers silicone sheeting in standard and custom sizes and can apply pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) to support peel-and-stick installation. We’re not a gasket fabricator, but we do offer value-added services to fabricators and end-users. Along with adhesive lamination, we provide slitting services and are developing exciting new products.

    Solid Silicone Sheeting

    Solid silicone sheeting from ElastaPro is available in thicknesses from .010” to .500” and widths up to 62”. We calendar up to the some of the widest widths in the industry, and we pride ourselves on offering larger sheet sizes so that fabricators can get more parts per sheet during high-volume production. Our solid silicone sheeting arrives ready for fabrication, but that’s not all we’d like you to know.

    ElastaPro offers solid silicone sheets in standard sizes like 36” x 36”. Yet we can also supply you with custom sheet sizes that we’re ready to quote in multiple quantities. ElastaPro offers solid silicone sheeting in a wide variety of silicone grades, and our specification-grade silicones meet challenging specs and come with a full Certificate of Analysis (COA).

    Adhesive Lamination

    ElastaPro is more than a silicone materials manufacturer. In addition to solid and cellular silicone sheet and uncured compound, we offer adhesive lamination services. The PSAs we apply to silicone sheeting use acrylic, silicone-only, or silicone-acrylic chemistries. Acrylic PSAs are strong and durable, and silicone-acrylic PSAs combine the benefits of both types of materials. Straight silicone PSAs offer the best option for high-temperature performance.

    ElastaPro can also laminate different materials together to build composite structures that are up to 3” thick. Fabrication inevitably comes with constraints, but our lamination capabilities mean we can do far more for you. Our ElastaBond adhesive is a silicone “superglue” that supports the creation of thick composites. Applications include aerospace and HVAC equipment, just to name a few.

    Roll Slitting and Product Development

    The slitting services that ElastaPro offers enable us to slit a master roll of material to a specific width. Examples include solid silicone sheets that are .500” inch thick with a PSA backing. A master roll that’s slit into strips is easy to unwind so that installers can apply the silicone material to an HVAC unit or a recreational vehicle (RV), just to use a few examples.

    Finally, because ElastaPro has an in-house laboratory, we’re able to develop new materials to support silicone applications. Today, ElastaPro is the largest supplier of solid silicone sheet in North America. In 2026, we plan to introduce some new exciting products that we expect will bring great value to our customer partners. Thank you for learning more about ElastaPro, and we invite you to contact us for more information.

  4. Thin Silicone Sheet

    Thin silicone sheet is a high-performance elastomeric material used across industries that demand flexibility, temperature resistance, and durability in compact or precision assemblies. Engineers choose thin silicone sheets when space is limited, sealing tolerances are tight, or lightweight performance is required. These sheets combine the mechanical stability of silicone with the adaptability of thin-gauge materials.

    Contact ElastaPro for thin silicone sheet.

    Material Properties

    Silicone rubber is a synthetic elastomer derived from polysiloxane, a polymer chain featuring alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. This structure gives silicone its unique combination of thermal stability, chemical resistance, and elasticity. Thin silicone sheet retains these base characteristics but in a format designed for precision.

    Key properties include:

    • Temperature resistance: Continuous operation from -60°C to +230°C, with some formulations tolerating even higher peaks.

    • Flexibility and resilience: Excellent elongation and compression set performance, allowing for reliable sealing in dynamic or vibrating assemblies.

    • Chemical and UV stability: Resistance to ozone, oxidation, and most environmental agents, ensuring long-term durability.

    • Dielectric strength: Electrical insulation values exceeding 500 V/mil, making it suitable for electronic and EMI/RFI gasket applications.

    • Biocompatibility (optional): Medical and food-grade thin silicones meet FDA, USP Class VI, and ISO 10993 standards for sensitive environments.

    Manufacturing and Variants

    Thin silicone sheets are produced through calendering, extrusion, or molding processes, depending on the required precision and performance. Calendering yields consistent thickness and smooth surface finish, which is essential for sealing films and membranes. Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) can also be cast into ultra-thin layers with excellent uniformity for optical, electronic, and biomedical uses.

    Engineers can select from several material variants:

    • Solid silicone sheet: Offers mechanical strength and dimensional stability.

    • Sponge silicone sheet and foam silicone sheet: Provide compressibility and conformability where surface irregularities must be sealed.

    • Fluorosilicone sheet: Adds resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents for aerospace and automotive environments.

    • Conductive silicone sheet: Filled with metallic or carbon materials for EMI/RFI shielding.

    • Transparent sheet or translucent sheet: Used in lighting, optics, or display applications where clarity is important.

    Applications in Engineering Design

    Thin silicone sheet is used wherever a durable, flexible, and stable interface is required. Typical applications include:

    • Gaskets and seals: For small enclosures, sensors, and electronics where space and weight savings are critical.

    • Thermal insulation and vibration damping: In electronic assemblies or power systems exposed to heat and mechanical stress.

    • Protective membranes and diaphragms: In fluid control devices, medical pumps, and pressure sensors.

    • Electrical insulation: In high-voltage or sensitive circuitry environments.

    • EMI/RFI shielding layers: When combined with conductive fillers or coatings to prevent electromagnetic interference.

    Advantages for Engineers

    Thin silicone sheet offers several design advantages. It can be die-cut, laser-cut, or waterjet-cut with tight tolerances, allowing engineers to produce precise gaskets, washers, or films. The material maintains elasticity and performance even at extreme temperatures, reducing maintenance needs. Moreover, thin silicone’s low compression set and long service life contribute to overall system reliability.

    From compact electronics to aerospace systems and medical devices, thin silicone sheet represents an ideal combination of performance, precision, and versatility. Its adaptability allows engineers to meet demanding design goals—especially where conventional elastomers fail—making it a cornerstone material in modern high-performance engineering.

  5. Fluorosilicone Rubber: Made in USA, Full COA with Each Batch

    ElastaPro makes fluorosilicone rubber at our Made in USA manufacturing facility in Santa Fe Springs, California. Domestic sourcing can help you to reduce supply chain risk, but that’s not the only reason to buy high-performance materials from us. ElastaPro manufactures fluorosilicone rubber as solid sheets and uncured compound in accordance with our ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified quality management system. Moreover, we offer a full Certificate of Analysis (COA) with each batch.

    Why Choose Domestic Fluorosilicone Rubber?

    Domestic sourcing reduces your supply chain risk by shortening shipping distances, minimizing transportation touchpoints, and allowing for quicker responses to disruptions such as geopolitical disputes, natural disasters, and pandemics. Along with shorter lead times and greater visibility, the benefits include reduced exposure to international trade issues such as tariffs, border closings, and shipping delays. It’s also easier to coordinate and collaborate with a Made in USA manufacturer.

    Even if you can’t visit us in California to meet face-to-face, ElastaPro makes communications easy. Whether you pick up the phone, send us an email, or use the chatbot or contact form on our website, we pride ourselves on quick and responsive service. We’re also available for Teams or Zoom calls and regularly update our website with technical content and descriptions. For example, the fluorosilicone page on our website let you download technical data sheets.

    Why Ask for a Fluorosilicone COA?

    A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document that provides the test results for a specific batch of a material. By contrast, a Certificate of Conformance (COC) simply attests that a material meets requirements. In other words, a COC does not provide batch-level test data. That’s a key distinction in industries like aerospace and defense, both of which use fluorosilicone rubber because of its wide temperature range, superior resistance to fuels and solvents, and ability to meet standards.

    ElastaPro provides a full COA with each batch and includes key specifications such as tensile strength, elongation, compression set, hardness, and temperature range testing. Importantly, our COAs demonstrate that our flurosilicone rubber complies with standards such as AMSR-25988, which was published by SAE International and supersedes MIL-DTL-25988. Older prints may still reference MIL-R-25988, which is sometimes written as MILR-25988 instead.

    What If There’s a Spec Change or Substitution? 

    Fluorosilicone specs are subject to change, and suppliers sometimes change the ingredients in their products. That’s why ElastaPro performs a full qualification whenever there’s a spec change or we update a raw material. We also conduct full lot-to-lot verification in accordance with the spec, which contains a table for testing during lot-to-lot qualification work. In the AMSR-25988 specification, Table IV outlines material property requirements.

    Ask ElastaPro for Flurosilicone Rubber

    Do you need spec-grade fluorosilicone rubber with a full COA for traceability? Have you considered how partnering with a Made in USA materials manufacturer can help you to reduce supply chain uncertainty while ensuring quality? For fluorosilicone solid sheet and uncured compound, the name you can trust is ElastaPro. Contact us for proven materials you can depend upon.

  6. Low Durometer Silicone Rubber

    Low durometer silicone rubber is a soft, flexible elastomer that offers excellent sealing and cushioning performance in demanding environments. In engineering terms, “durometer” refers to a material’s hardness, typically measured on the Shore A scale for most silicone compounds. Standard silicone rubber is often in the range of 40–70 Shore A, but low durometer grades typically fall between 10–30 Shore A. This softness gives the material unique functional advantages for sealing, vibration control, and conformability.

    ElastaPro makes low durometer silicone rubber as solid sheets and uncured compound. Contact us for a quote.

    Material Characteristics of Soft Silicones

    Low durometer silicone rubber is composed primarily of silicone polymer, reinforcing fillers, and curing agents. Because it’s less densely cross-linked than harder grades, it has a lower resistance to indentation and greater flexibility. It maintains key silicone properties—including thermal stability, UV and ozone resistance, and excellent electrical insulation—while adding the ability to deform easily under pressure. This makes it ideal for applications where a tight seal is required without high compressive forces.

    Silicone’s temperature performance is another major benefit. Low durometer grades can typically operate between –60 °C and 200 °C, depending on the formulation. This allows them to remain soft and elastic in both high-temperature engine compartments and low-temperature aerospace or cryogenic applications. Their chemical resistance is also strong against water, weathering, and many common fluids.

    Advantages of Low Durometer Silicone Rubber

    The softness of low durometer silicone rubber allows it to conform to uneven or irregular mating surfaces. This reduces the need for extremely tight tolerances or surface finishes to achieve an effective seal. For engineers, this means design flexibility: surfaces can be less precise, yet sealing performance remains high.

    Another key advantage is reduced compression set stress on mating components. Softer silicone exerts lower clamping force on plastic housings or lightweight structures, helping prevent warping, cracking, or fatigue over time. It can also compensate for tolerance stack-ups or surface imperfections more effectively than harder materials.

    Vibration damping is another strength. Low durometer silicone can absorb and dissipate energy, making it useful for reducing vibration and noise in sensitive electronic assemblies or lightweight structures. It’s also often used to protect fragile components from shock.

    Common Applications for Low Durometer Silicone Rubber

    Engineers often specify low durometer silicone rubber for environmental seals, vibration isolators, and cushioning pads. It is commonly used in enclosures for electronics, including aerospace and defense systems, where soft seals maintain protection against moisture and dust. In medical devices, soft silicone is valued for patient comfort and gentle interface with skin or other sensitive materials.

    Automotive engineers use it in gaskets and seals that must accommodate component movement or thermal expansion without leaking. It’s also popular in HVAC and lighting systems where sealing performance must remain reliable despite uneven surfaces or low clamping forces.

    When to Use Softer Silicones

    Low durometer silicone rubber is ideal when components are delicate, surfaces are irregular, or when maintaining a seal with minimal compression force is required. It’s also advantageous in environments with wide temperature fluctuations or when vibration damping is needed.

    However, softer materials may not be appropriate where high mechanical strength or abrasion resistance is required. Engineers should balance softness with durability based on operating conditions.

    In short, low durometer silicone rubber provides excellent sealing, flexibility, and environmental resistance—making it a versatile choice for many demanding applications where conformability and low stress are priorities.

  7. Conductive Silicone Sheet FAQs

    Conductive silicone sheet is a specialized elastomeric material designed to combine the flexibility and environmental resistance of silicone rubber with electrical conductivity. Unlike standard silicone, which is an electrical insulator, conductive silicone sheet is engineered by incorporating conductive fillers—typically carbon, silver, nickel, or other conductive particles—into the base silicone polymer. This creates a versatile material that provides reliable electrical grounding, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection while maintaining the softness and resilience of silicone.

    This article from ElastaPro provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about conductive silicone sheet.

    What is the Material Composition and Structure of Conductive Silicone Sheet?

    The base polymer is high-quality silicone rubber known for its thermal stability, weather resistance, and flexibility. Conductive performance is achieved by dispersing conductive particles throughout the silicone matrix. The type, size, and concentration of these fillers determine the sheet’s electrical properties, including volume resistivity and shielding effectiveness.

    • Carbon-filled silicone provides moderate conductivity at a lower cost and is often used in general EMI shielding applications.

    • Nickel-graphite filled silicone offers improved shielding and corrosion resistance.

    • Silver-aluminum or silver-plated fillers provide the highest conductivity levels and are used in mission-critical applications such as aerospace or defense electronics.

    The result is a sheet material that can function both as a gasket and as part of an electrical grounding or shielding system.

    What are the Key Performance Characteristics?

    Conductive silicone sheets maintain many of the physical advantages of standard silicone rubber. They can typically operate in temperatures ranging from –60 °C to 200 °C without losing flexibility or performance. They are resistant to UV exposure, ozone, and most environmental stressors, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

    Electrical properties are a key differentiator. Depending on the formulation, conductive silicone can achieve volume resistivity levels low enough to meet EMI and ESD protection requirements for electronic enclosures. The material’s surface remains pliable, allowing it to maintain good electrical contact under low compression forces.

    Another important characteristic is stability over time. Unlike some conductive coatings or films, conductive silicone maintains its performance through repeated compression cycles and environmental exposure.

    What are the Advantages of Conductive Silicone Sheet?

    For engineers, the main advantage is the ability to achieve both environmental sealing and electrical conductivity in a single material. Conductive silicone can replace the need for separate seals and conductive components, simplifying assembly and improving reliability.

    Its softness and conformability allow it to create a reliable EMI shield even when mating surfaces are uneven or subject to tolerance variations. Because it exerts lower clamping forces than metal gaskets, it is particularly useful in lightweight enclosures or sensitive assemblies where excessive pressure could cause damage.

    What are Some Common Engineering Applications?

    Conductive silicone sheets are widely used to fabricate EMI gaskets, grounding pads, and conductive seals. They are frequently die-cut or waterjet-cut into custom shapes for electronic housings, communications equipment, aerospace and defense systems, and medical devices.

    They are also used in equipment that must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations, such as shielding seams, joints, and access panels in electronic enclosures. Their thermal stability makes them suitable for use near heat-generating components without loss of conductivity.

    When Do You Use Conductive Silicone Sheet?

    Engineers should consider conductive silicone sheet when both environmental sealing and EMI/ESD protection are required. It is ideal for gasketing around electronic enclosures, especially in applications where weight, space, or assembly simplicity are concerns.

    However, for extremely high current-carrying applications or where mechanical wear is high, metal-based solutions may be more appropriate.

    In summary, conductive silicone sheet is a high-performance material that blends electrical conductivity with the proven reliability of silicone elastomers. For engineers, it offers a practical and efficient solution for EMI shielding and grounding applications in demanding environments.

    Contact ElastaPro for conductive silicone sheet.

  8. Medical Grade Silicone Sheets

    Medical grade silicone sheets are specialized elastomeric materials engineered to meet stringent performance, safety, and biocompatibility standards required in healthcare and medical device applications. Unlike general-purpose silicone, medical grade silicone undergoes rigorous formulation control, manufacturing oversight, and testing to ensure it is safe for prolonged contact with human tissue, fluids, or medical environments. These sheets offer a unique combination of chemical stability, softness, flexibility, and cleanliness—qualities that make them essential in critical sealing, cushioning, and interface applications.

    Contact ElastaPro for medical grade silicone sheets.

    Material Composition and Standards

    Medical grade silicone sheets are made from high-purity silicone polymers with minimal additives, ensuring low levels of extractables and leachables. Many are manufactured to meet or exceed the requirements of USP Class VI, which evaluates materials for toxicity, reactivity, and compatibility with living systems. Additionally, some formulations comply with ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards, confirming their suitability for skin contact, mucosal contact, or even short-term implantation. FDA grade materials from ElastaPro are available in translucent and white.

    These sheets are produced in controlled environments to minimize contamination, and they can be sterilized using common medical methods such as autoclaving, gamma irradiation, or ethylene oxide without degrading their mechanical or chemical properties. This durability under sterilization is one of the key differentiators between medical grade silicone and standard silicone products.

    Performance Characteristics

    Medical grade silicone sheets retain the hallmark properties of silicone elastomers: excellent temperature resistance (typically –60 °C to 200 °C), stability against UV and ozone, and resistance to many chemicals. These characteristics allow them to function reliably in both clinical and industrial sterilization environments.

    They are available in a range of durometers—from soft, flexible grades to firmer formulations—allowing engineers to tailor material selection to specific application requirements. Many are translucent or optically clear, which can be beneficial in medical device design where visual inspection or light transmission is required.

    Silicone’s low surface energy also makes these sheets inherently non-stick and resistant to bacterial growth, a critical property in healthcare settings where cleanliness is paramount.

    Advantages of Medical Grade Silicone Sheets

    One of the biggest advantages is their biocompatibility. Medical grade silicone does not react adversely with skin, tissues, or fluids, reducing the risk of irritation or inflammation. This makes it an excellent choice for direct patient contact applications.

    Their flexibility and softness allow these sheets to form gentle but effective seals, making them ideal for gaskets, diaphragms, and cushioning pads in medical equipment. Their ability to maintain physical properties under repeated sterilization cycles provides a long service life, lowering replacement costs and improving reliability.

    Common Applications

    Medical grade silicone sheets are widely used in surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, fluid transfer systems, and prosthetics. They serve as sealing and cushioning elements in medical device housings, ensuring protection against contamination while allowing easy cleaning and sterilization.

    In patient care, they are often used in wound dressings, scar therapy products, and skin contact pads because of their softness, durability, and non-reactive surface.

    When to Use Medical Grade Silicone Sheets

    Engineers should specify medical grade silicone sheets when devices or components will have direct or indirect patient contact, or when they must withstand repeated sterilization without losing performance. They are also a good choice in environments that demand high purity, low extractables, and long-term material stability.

    In summary, medical grade silicone sheets combine the performance advantages of silicone elastomers with stringent safety and purity standards. For engineers, they offer a trusted, versatile material solution for critical medical and healthcare applications where reliability, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable.

  9. Sponge Silicone Sheet FAQs

    Sponge silicone sheet is a lightweight, compressible, and resilient elastomeric material used in a wide range of engineering applications that require sealing, cushioning, insulation, or vibration control. Unlike solid silicone rubber, which has a dense structure, sponge silicone is characterized by a cellular matrix with either open or closed cells. This structure gives it a soft, compressible feel and allows it to conform easily to irregular surfaces while maintaining excellent sealing performance.

    This article from ElastaPro answers frequently answered questions (FAQs) about this material

    What are the Properties of Sponge Silicone Sheet?

    Sponge silicone sheet is typically made from silicone rubber compounded with a blowing agent that creates a uniform cell structure during the curing process. Closed-cell sponge silicone has cells that are not interconnected, allowing it to resist water and fluid absorption. Open-cell sponge silicone, on the other hand, has interconnected pores, making it more breathable but less water resistant. Engineers choose between these types based on whether fluid sealing or air permeability is required.

    One of the primary advantages of sponge silicone is its wide operating temperature range. Like other silicone elastomers, it typically performs well from –60 °C to 200 °C, depending on formulation. It remains flexible in cold environments and stable at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for harsh or fluctuating thermal conditions. Additionally, sponge silicone offers excellent resistance to ozone, UV exposure, weathering, and many chemicals.

    What are its Advantages?

    The compressibility of sponge silicone sheet allows it to form reliable seals with relatively low closure forces. This is particularly important in applications involving lightweight plastic or aluminum enclosures that could deform under excessive gasket pressure. The soft structure can compensate for uneven surfaces, tolerance stack-ups, or warped panels without sacrificing sealing integrity.

    Sponge silicone also exhibits excellent recovery after compression, maintaining performance over many cycles. This resilience makes it a preferred choice for gasketing in environments where assemblies may be opened and closed repeatedly. Its low density also reduces weight compared to solid silicone, which can be a valuable advantage in aerospace, automotive, and portable electronic designs.

    In addition to sealing, sponge silicone provides effective thermal insulation, vibration damping, and acoustic absorption. These properties make it useful in protecting sensitive components from shock, reducing noise transmission, and improving system reliability.

    What are Some Common Applications?

    Engineers specify sponge silicone sheet for a variety of applications across industries. It is commonly die-cut or waterjet-cut into gaskets and seals for electrical enclosures, HVAC systems, and outdoor lighting. In transportation and aerospace, it is used to seal access panels, doors, and hatches where flexibility and environmental resistance are critical.

    Sponge silicone is also employed in thermal and acoustic management systems, acting as a buffer between vibrating or moving parts. In medical devices, its inertness and softness make it suitable for cushioning and sealing components.

    When Do You Use Sponge Silicone Sheet?

    Sponge silicone sheet is best used when a soft, conformable, and environmentally resistant material is needed to create a reliable seal under low compression forces. It’s ideal for enclosures exposed to temperature extremes, UV, or moisture. However, it is less abrasion-resistant and not suited for high mechanical wear situations.

    In short, sponge silicone sheet combines the unique properties of silicone elastomers with the versatility of a compressible cellular structure. For engineers, it offers an effective solution for sealing, cushioning, and insulating applications where performance and durability must be balanced with softness and flexibility.

    Contact ElastaPro for sponge silicone sheet.

  10. What is Uncured Rubber?

    Uncured rubber refers to rubber that has not yet undergone vulcanization or curing, the chemical process that crosslinks polymer chains to give rubber its final mechanical properties. In its uncured state, rubber is soft, pliable, and somewhat tacky. It resembles a dense, malleable putty or dough that can easily be shaped, extruded, or calendered into sheets or profiles.

    At the molecular level, uncured rubber consists of long, entangled polymer chains that slide past each other when deformed. Because these chains are not chemically bonded, uncured rubber lacks the elasticity, tensile strength, and heat resistance that characterize cured elastomers. It is thermoplastic in behavior—softening with heat and stiffening when cooled—which allows it to be processed but not yet used as a finished engineering material.

    Contact ElastaPro for uncured silicone rubber.

    Composition and Processing of Uncured Rubber

    Uncured rubber can be derived from either natural rubber (NR), harvested from latex sap, or synthetic rubbers such as silicone, EPDM, nitrile, or fluorocarbon. These raw elastomers are typically compounded with fillers (like carbon black or silica), plasticizers, stabilizers, and curing agents such as sulfur or peroxides.

    During processing, uncured rubber is shaped into its desired form—extrusions, molded blanks, or sheets—before vulcanization. This stage is critical because once the rubber is cured, it becomes thermoset and cannot be reshaped without losing integrity. Engineers and manufacturers often handle uncured rubber in sheet, strip, or preform form, allowing for easy placement into molds or assemblies.

    The Curing Transformation

    The transition from uncured to cured rubber occurs through vulcanization, a heat-activated chemical reaction that introduces crosslinks between polymer chains. These crosslinks limit chain mobility, giving the material its characteristic elasticity and resilience.

    For example, natural rubber is commonly cured with sulfur, producing a network structure that enhances mechanical strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability. Silicone rubber, by contrast, may use peroxide or platinum catalysts to achieve crosslinking. Once cured, the material becomes thermoset—meaning it will not melt or flow again when reheated.

    Applications and Engineering Implications

    Uncured rubber is used primarily as an intermediate material in manufacturing. Engineers and fabricators rely on its soft, conformable state for forming seals, gaskets, or molded parts before curing. It is also used in lamination or bonding processes, where it acts as an adhesive layer that cures in place during assembly.

    In repair applications, uncured rubber patches or tapes can be applied to existing rubber components and then vulcanized to create a permanent bond. This approach is common in tire repair, conveyor belt maintenance, and industrial hose manufacturing.