Translucent Silicone Sheet Materials & Uncured Compounds
Translucent silicone is the material of choice for demanding gasketing, sealing, and fluid-handling applications where visual confirmation is critical. Unlike opaque pigmented elastomers, translucent silicone allows light to pass through the rubber without adding color additives or pigments that could leach into sensitive media.
At ElastaPro, we manufacture high-purity translucent silicone sheeting, continuous rolls, and uncured compounds engineered for extreme temperature stability, low extractables, and long-term durability. Made in America at our Santa Fe Springs, CA facility, every lot is produced under our ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100D quality system.
What is Translucent Silicone?
Translucent silicone allows light transmission while diffusing the background, giving engineers a semi-see-through elastomer. While it is not optically clear like glass, translucent silicone allows operators to inspect fluid flow, monitor gasket seating, check seal integrity, and verify line cleanliness without breaking sanitary boundaries.
Because true translucent silicone contains zero color pigments, it offers the lowest possible risk of extractables or chemical leaching—making it the gold standard across food contact, medical fluid processing, and high-purity pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Formats & Supply Options
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 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+ yards depending on thickness.
- Cut Sheet Dimensions: 12″ × 12″, 24″ × 24″, 36″ × 36″, 48″ × 48″, or custom die-cut blanks.
2. Uncured Translucent Silicone Compounds
Raw, uncured silicone formulations ready for molding, extrusion, or calendering.
- Base Elastomers: VMQ, FVMQ (Fluorosilicone), and PVMQ formulations.
- Cure Systems: Platinum-cured (addition cure) for 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 range 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 lines, dairy processing. |
| Medical / Pharma | USP Class VI, ISO 10993 Biocompatible | Medical device gaskets, fluid manifold seals, tubing interfaces. |
| Commercial / Industrial | General industrial gasketing specs | Cost-effective environmental seals, sight glass gaskets, covers. |
| High / Extreme Temp | -65°F to +500°F (-54°C to +260°C) | High-heat oven seals, aerospace/automotive fluid inspection ports. |
| Fiberglass Reinforced | 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 90 Shore A. Below are representative material properties for our standard FDA-compliant translucent series:
| Product Code | Durometer (Shore A) | Tensile Strength (PSI) | Elongation (%) | Tear Resistance (PPI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESS20TRAN | 20 ± 5 | 750 | 850 | 70 |
| ESS30TRAN | 30 ± 5 | 800 | 800 | 80 |
| ESS40TRAN | 40 ± 5 | 900 | 750 | 90 |
| ESS50TRAN | 50 ± 5 | 1,000 | 650 | 100 |
| ESS60TRAN | 60 ± 5 | 1,100 | 500 | 110 |
| ESS70TRAN | 70 ± 5 | 1,050 | 400 | 100 |
| ESS80TRAN | 80 ± 5 | 1,000 | 300 | 90 |
Need custom durometers or non-standard physical properties? Contact our engineering team for custom compounding.
Key Benefits of ElastaPro Translucent Silicone
- Visual Process Verification: Allows light through so operators can instantly check line flow or seal compression.
- Non-Yellowing Stability: Platinum-cured grades resist yellowing, UV degradation, thermal aging, and ozone.
- Cleanroom & Hygienic Safety: Free of heavy metals, phthalates, and organic plasticizers.
- Superior Thermal Range: Retains flexibility and elasticity from extreme sub-zero conditions up to intermittent peak heat of 500°F.
- Converting Ready: Smooth surface finish accepts Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) for backed gasket applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between translucent silicone and clear silicone?
Translucent silicone allows light to pass through, but diffuses objects behind it (similar to frosted glass). Clear (or transparent) silicone provides higher optical clarity where distinct objects behind the sheet must remain sharply visible. Translucent grades are typically more cost-effective for standard visual gasketing and flow-verification applications.
Is translucent silicone safe for direct food and beverage contact?
Yes. ElastaPro manufactures FDA-grade translucent silicone compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. Because it contains no added pigments, it reduces extraction risks in food, dairy, and beverage fluid processing.
Can ElastaPro supply translucent silicone with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)?
Yes. We supply solid translucent silicone sheet rolls with factory-applied PSA backing to streamline assembly, eliminate secondary bonding steps, and simplify gasket installation.
What cure systems are available for translucent uncured compound?
We offer both platinum-cure (addition cure)—which yields zero volatile by-products and exceptional clarity—and peroxide-cure systems designed for high-volume molding and extrusion efficiency.
