Medium Strength Silicone Sheet & Continuous Rolls
When standard commercial-grade silicone falls short on tear resistance, but high-tier military or aerospace-grade silicone exceeds your budget, medium strength silicone sheeting provides the ideal balance of mechanical toughness and cost efficiency.
At ElastaPro, we compound and calender high-performance medium strength silicone rubber designed for demanding die-cutting, gasketing, and custom fabrication applications. Manufactured in the USA under our strict ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100D quality management system, our medium strength silicone delivers improved tensile strength, higher tear resistance, and dependable long-term sealing performance.
What is Medium Strength Silicone Rubber?
Medium strength silicone is a specialized formulation of solid silicone rubber engineered to offer enhanced mechanical properties compared to general-purpose (GP) or commercial-grade silicone. While commercial silicone typically provides tensile strengths around 500 to 700 PSI, medium strength silicone formulations achieve 800 to 1,000+ PSI tensile strength along with significantly higher tear resistance.
This added mechanical integrity ensures that gaskets cut from medium strength silicone resist tearing during installation, withstand dynamic movement, and maintain structural stability under bolt-load compression in industrial enclosures, HVAC systems, and transportation equipment.
Key Performance Benefits
- Elevated Tear & Tensile Strength: Prevents tearing at bolt holes, cutouts, and sharp corners during gasket stamping and die-cutting.
- Superior Compression Set Resistance: Maintains a tight environmental seal over extended temperature cycles without losing memory.
- Extreme Temperature Range: Operates continuously from -65°F to +450°F (-54°C to +232°C) with intermittent exposure up to +500°F.
- UV, Ozone & Weather Resistance: Completely impervious to outdoor environmental degradation, sunlight, and atmospheric moisture.
- FDA Compliant Options Available: Formulated using ingredients compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for repeatable food contact applications.
Supply Formats & Converting Options
ElastaPro delivers medium strength silicone rubber sheeting optimized for fast converting, slitting, and die-cutting.
Cured Sheeting & Rolls
- Thickness Range: 0.010″ to 0.500″ (0.25 mm to 12.7 mm)
- Standard Widths: 36″ (914 mm) & 48″ (1219 mm); custom widths up to 62″
- Colors: Red/Orange, Gray, Black, White, and Translucent
- Surface Finish: Smooth finish on both sides for uniform adhesive lamination
Custom Converting Services
- PSA Backing: Factory-applied acrylic or silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives
- Cut-to-Width Slitting: Custom roll widths tailored to your slitting/stamping equipment
- Pre-Cut Sheets: 12″x12″, 24″x24″, 36″x36″, or custom die-cut blanks
- Uncured Compound: Masterbatch compounds available for custom compression molding
Technical Specifications: Physical Properties
Our medium strength silicone series is manufactured across a range of hardness levels to match your exact application requirements:
| Grade Code | Durometer (Shore A) | Tensile Strength (PSI) | Elongation (%) | Tear Strength (PPI) | Standard Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS-40 | 40 ± 5 | 850 min | 550% | 90 PPI | Red / Gray / Translucent |
| MS-50 | 50 ± 5 | 950 min | 450% | 100 PPI | Red / Gray / Translucent |
| MS-60 | 60 ± 5 | 1,000 min | 350% | 110 PPI | Red / Gray / Black |
| MS-70 | 70 ± 5 | 1,000 min | 250% | 100 PPI | Red / Gray / Black |
| MS-80 | 80 ± 5 | 950 min | 180% | 90 PPI | Red / Gray / Black |
Note: Values represent typical physical properties. Custom compounding is available for specific ASTM D2000 specifications or color matches.
Common Industrial Applications
Medium strength silicone rubber sheeting is widely specified across industries that require enhanced physical endurance:
- Industrial Enclosure Seals: NEMA outdoor cabinets, electrical junction boxes, and HVAC access panels.
- Automotive & Transportation: Engine bay gaskets, vibration damping pads, and weatherproofing seals.
- Food & Beverage Processing: Conveyor belting strips, hopper seals, and FDA contact gaskets.
- Electronics & Aerospace: Environmental dust seals, thermal isolation barriers, and protective cushioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between commercial grade and medium strength silicone?
Commercial grade silicone typically offers 500 to 700 PSI tensile strength and lower tear resistance, making it suitable for basic static seals. Medium strength silicone provides higher tensile strength (800 to 1,000+ PSI) and superior tear resistance, ensuring gaskets do not tear under strain or bolt torque.
Is medium strength silicone suitable for die-cutting gaskets?
Yes. It’s specifically engineered for die-cutting, flash cutting, and waterjet cutting. Its elevated tear resistance produces clean cutout edges without tear propagation during assembly.
Does ElastaPro offer medium strength silicone with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)?
Yes. We supply it in continuous rolls with factory-laminated acrylic or silicone PSA backing for quick peal-and-stick installation.
Is ElastaPro medium strength silicone FDA compliant?
We offer specialized FDA-grade medium strength silicone formulations compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for non-toxic food and beverage contact.
