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What Chemicals and Solutions are FDA-Grade Silicone Resistant To?
Many synthetic elastomers are resistant to a wide variety of chemicals throughout varying degrees. FDA-grade silicone rubber is no exception to this standard! When you think of rubber, you undoubtedly think of a resilient and durable material that is found used as the tires on your car, the soles of your shoes, the spatula in your kitchen, and as the eraser on your pencil. The chemical resistance of rubber, let alone an FDA elastomer, is most likely not on the top of your list. Much to your surprise, however, this quality could very well be the exact reason why an elastomer was chosen to get the job done!
There is a special category of silicone rubber that is specifically meant to act as food grade gasket and seal components. The FDA inspects this type of silicone in order to clear it for use with foods. Food-safe silicone rubber has to be non-toxic so it does not contaminate the consumables it comes into contact with.
Continue Reading BelowFDA-Grade Silicone
FDA-grade silicone is popularly used in many other industries thanks to its resistance against many chemicals. For example, the silicone FDA elastomer would be incredibly desirable in applications such as industrial and automotive purposes thanks to a high resistance to many oils and greases.
Here is a list of 50 different chemicals and solutions that it is known to stand up against:
Acetic Acid 30% - a chemical reagent used in the production of chemical compounds. Acetylene – one of the simplest alkyne compounds and is used as a fuel and chemical building block. Ammonia Gas (cold) – a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen used in many commercial cleaning products. FDA-grade silicone may be ideal in industrial or commercial applications where continuous use requires frequent cleaning. Rather than using Neoprene or general purpose rubber products. Ammonia Gas (hot) – a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen used in many commercial cleaning products. Ammonium Hydroxide (conc) – this is ammonia combined with water to make a solution that can be used as a general purpose cleaner. Animal Fats – oil lipid materials derived from animals that are consumed as milk, butter, lard, pet food, or in fast-food items. Great for a food grade gasket! Arsenic Acid – a colorless chemical compound whose uses are limited by its toxicity, but can be used occasionally as a wood preservative or as a finishing agent for glass or metal. Beer – the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and is often thought to be one of the first drinks to be fermented. FDA-grade silicone may work wonders in sealing and gasketing large beer vats. Beet Sugar Liquids – used in the production of sucrose, a pure food offering high energy to humans. Benzyl Alcohol – a chemical compound used most commonly as a solvent, preservative, or as a precursor for perfume and soap due to its mild pleasant scent. Blast Furnace Gas – a byproduct of blast furnaces with a very low heating value that is produced when the iron ore of a furnace is reduced to metallic iron. Boric Acid – a weak boron acid that is often used as an insecticide or as an antiseptic. Brine – a solution of salt in water that is used to preserve consumables such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. Bunker Oil – a type of fuel oil that is liquefied and partially distilled from crude oil. Butter – a dairy product made from churning fermented milk or cream that is used as a condiment and as a cooking agent. Food-safe silicone rubber may be ideal for machinery and wear parts in dairy plants and factories.
Calcium Hydroxide – an inorganic compound that is the result of calcium oxide and water being mixed that is commonly used in the preparation of food. Cane Sugar Liquors – made from fresh sugar cane juices and then fermented and distilled to be consumed as an alcoholic beverage. Carbon Monoxide – an industrial gas with a wide range of applications in the medical industry as well as the food processing and packaging industry. An FDA-grade silicone part would be fit for use with consumables even in the presence of this chemical. Castor Oil – a vegetable oil taken from the castor bean that is used in many food industry applications like packaging, flavoring, and as a preservative. Citric Acid – a weak organic acid that is used as a preservative or to add a sour taste to many foods and beverages. Coconut Oil – this is edible oil that has been used as the primary source of fat in many people’s diets throughout tropical regions and is functional in food, medical, and industrial applications. Copper Chloride – most commonly used as a reaction catalyst. Corn Oil – great for frying purposes in cooking and as a main ingredient in butter. Cottonseed Oil – Cooking oil obtained from the seeds of various species of cotton plants. Detergent Solutions – a surfactant mixture with cleaning properties made of a family of chemical compounds similar to soap but that are more soluble in water.
a. Silicone Ethyl Acetate – a chemical compound with a sweet smell that is used as a solvent or in glues, nail polish removers, and cigarettes! Ethyl Alcohol – a volatile and flammable liquid that is best known for being used in alcoholic beverages but can also be used as a solvent or a fuel. Fish Oil – these oils are derived from the tissues of oily fish and contain omega-3 fatty acids that are proven to have significant health benefits. FDA-grade silicone can handle fish oil with relative ease. Glucose – a simple sugar that provides a primary source for energy and works as a metabolic intermediate for many people. Glue – an adhesive that bonds two or more items together that can come from both natural and synthetic sources. Glycerin – a colorless, odorless, and viscous fluid that is used in many pharmaceutical applications. Lactic Acid (cold) – an organic and colorless liquid formed in sour milk or in the muscle tissue of people and animals during strenuous use. Lactic Acid (hot) - an organic and colorless liquid formed in sour milk or in the muscle tissue of people and animals during strenuous use. Lime Sulfur – a chemical mixture that is commonly used in pest control or with plants to contain fungi, bacteria, or insects. Linseed Oil – this is a drying oil that can be made into a solid form and used as a nutritional supplement or as a finishing agent for flooring and paint. Magnesium Chloride (aq) – this is a type of salt that dissolves easily in water and is used in many culinary applications. Methyl Alcohol – a flammable and volatile alcohol that is used primarily as a solvent to make other chemicals with. Milk – produced from the mammary glands of animals, this is a highly nutrient food source that serves as the primary nourishment for animals and babies who cannot process other foods at young ages. Mineral Oil – this is a liquid byproduct of distilled petroleum used to produce gas from crude oil.
Natural Gas – this is an important energy source used to offer heat and electricity in domestic, commercial, and industrial settings. Silicone FDA elastomer has a wide range of heat resistances that makes functioning with this gas possible. Nitrogen – an element found in the universe that is used primarily in applications where oxygen is undesirable. Ozone – a powerful oxidant that is found throughout the Earth’s atmosphere and can be used in many applications that require oxidization. Peanut Oil – a vegetable oil with a mild taste that is used in culinary applications, primarily for dishes with an Asian or Chinese style. A food grade gasket made of FDA-grade silicone can interact with this material with ease. Salt Water – this refers to water that contains a significant amount of salt/saline. Soap Solutions – mainly used for washing, bathing, and cleaning, soap solutions are created by treating animal fats and oils with alkaline. Sodium Chloride – this is the salt that is found in the ocean and is the main ingredient for edible salt in food applications. Transmission Fluid Type A – this contains a wide range of chemicals and additives that improve lubrication in vehicles built with automatic transmissions. Food-safe silicone rubber may be a great solution in automotive applications where oil and grease resistance is necessary. Vinegar – made primarily of acetic acid and water, this is the most widely available acid and has a multitude of industrial, domestic, and medical uses. Water – vital for all forms of life and can coexist with itself in any state (liquid, solid, or gas). Whiskey & Wines – both are types of distilled alcoholic beverages produced for consumption by people.
An FDA elastomer may fit any number of applications over a range of industries depending upon the specifications required. FDA-grade silicone is just one example of a product that is very successful; however, knowing the full spectrum of chemicals that this elastomer is resilient to can be helpful in determining its compatibility with your own application.
Even when matched up against animal fats, beer, milk, castor oil, or transmission fluid, a food grade gasket will come out on top and unscathed! Contact one of our Rubber Experts to further discuss food-safe silicone rubber for your application and the full list of chemical resistance you can expect from FDA-grade silicone!
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