For die cut gaskets and seals, silicone rubber is a unique, extremely flexible synthetic elastomer.

It is also versatile and easy to color, making it simple to manufacture. For many manufacturers, silicone rubber stands out for its adaptability and durability.

High-quality silicone rubber gaskets and seals are resistant to aging, heat, and sunlight, as well as many oils and chemicals. Because rubber made from silicone is suitable for components used in high temperature environments, it is a top choice for engineers.

CGR Products gaskets and seals for appliances

In addition, silicone can be exposed to wind, rain, and UV rays for extended periods of time with virtually no change in its physical properties. Many industries value how this material maintains performance through challenging conditions. Additional material properties include:

  • High and low temperature stability is one reason it is chosen for critical engineering projects.
  • Compression resistance is a key attribute of silicone rubber materials.
  • Tear strength is reliable in various demanding environments.
  • Varying degrees of hardness and softness make it adaptable for many uses.

Silicone Rubber Grades & Converting Specifications

CGR Products precision converts, die-cuts, waterjet-cuts, and laminates solid silicone rubber (VMQ) sheet and roll goods. Renowned for its wide thermal operating envelope (-80°F to 450°F+), zero ozone degradation, and inert chemical profile, solid silicone delivers long-term sealing performance in demanding industrial, medical, and aerospace applications. Please view the table below for our primary solid silicone grades.

Silicone Grade Mechanical & Environmental Profile Durometer & Standards
Commercial Solid Silicone General-purpose solid elastomer engineered for extreme thermal stability (-80°F to 450°F continuous). Impervious to ultraviolet radiation, ozone cracking, corona discharge, and moisture. Delivers low compression set and consistent elasticity across wide temperature swings for industrial flange and enclosure seals. 40 to 80 Shore A · ASTM D2000 FC/FE · Red/Orange, Gray, Black
FDA Food-Grade Silicone Manufactured with FDA-sanctioned ingredients for direct and indirect food contact. Odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and resistant to animal fats and sanitizing washdowns. Commonly fabricated into sanitary flange gaskets, food processing seals, and beverage dispensing lines. 30 to 80 Shore A · FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 · NSF-51 · White, Translucent
Medical & USP Class VI Silicone Platinum-cured high-purity elastomer delivering ultra-low extractables and superior biocompatibility. Withstands repeated autoclave steam sterilization, gamma irradiation, and EtO gas processing without embrittlement or property degradation. 40 to 70 Shore A · USP Class VI · ISO 10993 · Translucent
High-Tear Strength Silicone Engineered with advanced polymer chains to resist notch propagation, flex fatigue, and mechanical tearing under dynamic joint deflection. Provides tensile strength up to 1,200+ PSI and tear resistance exceeding 200 PPI, making it ideal for high-cycle door seals and pump diaphragms. 40 to 70 Shore A · ASTM D624 Die B · Gray, Translucent
Flame-Retardant Silicone Formulated with inorganic non-halogenated flame retardants to self-extinguish upon ignition. Meets stringent mass transit, aviation, and electronics fire/smoke/toxicity (FST) safety protocols while maintaining environmental IP sealing. 50 to 70 Shore A · UL 94 V-0 · FAR 25.853 · Gray, Black
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) Combines the wide temperature range of silicone (-80°F to 400°F) with the chemical and hydrocarbon resistance of a fluorocarbon. Specifically resistant to aviation jet fuel, automotive gasoline, synthetic engine oils, and harsh solvents where standard silicone swells and fails. 40 to 80 Shore A · MIL-DTL-25988 · Blue/Blue-Gray

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Solid Silicone Gaskets & Fabrication

What temperature range can solid silicone rubber gaskets withstand?

Solid silicone rubber maintains elastic sealing performance across an extreme continuous operating range from -80°F to 450°F (-62°C to 232°C), with intermittent thermal excursions up to 500°F (260°C). Unlike organic elastomers (such as Nitrile or Neoprene) that harden and crack below -30°F or degrade above 250°F, silicone retains its flexibility, tensile rebound, and compression set resistance across extreme hot and sub-zero freeze cycles.

Can pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) be laminated to solid silicone sheet?

Yes, but it requires specialized chemistry. Because solid silicone is an inert, low-surface-energy (LSE) material, standard acrylic or rubber adhesives will not wet-out or bond to it. CGR Products utilizes rotary hot-roll lamination to apply cross-linked silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives (such as 3M™ 91022 or 9122) directly to the silicone rubber. For double-sided bonding requirements, differential tapes (silicone adhesive on the gasket face, acrylic adhesive on the enclosure mounting face) are converted for peel-and-stick assembly.

How does CGR Products achieve clean edge cuts on thick solid silicone without concave distortion?

When soft solid elastomers (40–60 Shore A) thicker than 1/8″ are cut using traditional steel rule dies, mechanical down-pressure can compress the rubber laterally, producing a concave or “hourglass” beveled edge. CGR Products eliminates this issue on thick silicone sheets (up to 1/2″ or thicker) by utilizing CNC abrasive and pure waterjet cutting systems. Waterjet cutting applies zero downward tool pressure, ensuring perfectly square 90-degree edge walls and precise bolt-hole dimensions without hard tooling dies.

Is solid silicone rubber resistant to fuels, petroleum oils, and automotive fluids?

Standard solid silicone (VMQ) has poor resistance to petroleum fuels, thin motor oils, and hydrocarbon solvents; exposure causes significant swelling and loss of tensile strength. For applications requiring silicone’s wide temperature limits alongside oil and fuel resistance, CGR Products converts Fluorosilicone (FVMQ), which features fluorinated side chains that resist jet fuels, hydraulic fluids, and gasoline across temperatures from -80°F to 400°F.

What compliance standards do CGR Products’ solid silicone materials meet?

Depending on application requirements, CGR Products converts silicone compliant with:

  • FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 & NSF-51: Food contact surfaces and beverage equipment.
  • USP Class VI & ISO 10993: Medical diagnostic instruments and healthcare devices.
  • UL 94 V-0 & UL 94 HB: Flammability safety for electrical enclosures and electronics.
  • MIL-DTL-25988: Military and aerospace fuel-resistant fluorosilicone specifications.
  • ASTM D2000: Line callout validations (FC, FE, GE classes).

Silicone Gasket Engineering & High-Volume OEM Converting

CGR Products partners directly with Tier-1 automotive, medical diagnostic, lighting, and appliance OEMs to fabricate custom solid silicone seals and diaphragms. From compound selection (FDA, USP Class VI, UL 94 V-0) to high-capacity CNC waterjet cutting, traveling head presses, and automated kiss-cut roll presentation with silicone PSA, our multi-facility infrastructure is built to scale with production assembly lines.

Connect With Our OEM Engineering Team