The cost of silicone rubber is dependent on its grade, gauge, square footage, and durometer. Each grade of silicone rubber retains different high temperature resistance ranges and are available in a wide selection of pre-set and custom lengths, gauges, and durometers. Commercial grade silicone sheets, premium grade silicone sheets, and FDA grade silicone sheets are all excellent industrial materials that can withstand damaging environmental factors and high temperatures; however, the degree of heat resistance differs from grade to grade. The cost of silicone rubber changes depending on its grade is due as it determines the operating temperature range which, in turn, effects durability and life in harsh industrial environments. Despite their varying prices and grades, high temperature silicone gasket material is an extremely versatile material that can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Is Silicone Rubber Expensive?

Silicone rubber is more expensive than other synthetic and natural rubber variations due to its superior thermal stability and environmental resistance as well as its lengthy production process. The cost of silicone rubber depends on its superior heat resistance properties as well as its long life in harsh indoor and outdoor industrial settings. Unlike other natural and synthetic rubber variations, silicone rubber is considered an inorganic polymer. This means silicone rubber has a unique silicon-to-oxygen bonded polymer backbone whereas organic rubber variations have a carbon-to-carbon bonded polymer backbone structure. The unique silicon-to-oxygen bonded polymer backbone structure gives silicone rubber its superior resistance properties against extreme high and low temperatures as well as damaging environmental factors, including harsh UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. The production process of this inorganic rubber is much more complex than organic rubbers which also contributes to the higher cost of silicone rubber. To create this unique rubber, the silicon material must me extracted from silica, then blended with strengthening additives, and finally, cured to create a solid rubber material. Its lengthy production process along with its resistance to damaging environmental factors and superior thermal stability make silicone rubber a more expensive rubber variation than other natural and synthetic rubbers.

How Much Does Silicone Rubber Cost?

The cost of silicone rubber depends on the grade and durometer of the silicone rubber sheet. Silicone rubber sheets are offered in three different grades: premium grade silicone, commercial grade silicone, and FDA grade silicone. Each grade of silicone rubber is offered in different durometers, including 40A, 50A, 60A, and 70A durometer sheets. The cost of silicone rubber differs due to the difference in properties between the three grades of silicone. The durometer and gauge of the sheet will also contribute to the overall cost of silicone rubber. Premium grade silicone and FDA grade silicone sheets will cost more than commercial grade silicone sheets due to their better resistance properties. Not only does grade determine the cost of silicone rubber, but its durometer and gauge also play a large role in its overall cost. Generally, silicone rubber is an extremely resilient material that is thermally stable and resistant against damaging environmental factors. Silicone rubber is also a very versatile material that can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings. Silicone can withstand extremely low temperatures as low as -103 degrees Fahrenheit; however, its high temperature resistance range varies depending on the grade. Commercial grade silicone sheets can only withstand temperatures of up to +450 degrees Fahrenheit whereas premium and FDA grade silicone sheets can withstand higher temperatures of up to +500 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the difference in resistance properties, the cost of silicone rubber will differ depending on grade, durometer, and gauge.

• (a) Commercial Grade Silicone Rubber

  Commercial grade silicone rubber is the least costly variation of silicone rubber due to its slightly lower high temperature resistance range. Commercial grade silicone sheets have an operating temperature range of -103 to +450 degrees Fahrenheit and are popular materials used to create industrial seals and gaskets that will be exposed to extreme heat. Commercial grade silicone is offered in 40A, 50A, 60A, and 70A durometer sheets that are available in ten gauges, including 1/32", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4". The cost of these sheets ranges from $92.10 to $4036.50 priced based on their durometers, gauges, and lengths (which ranges anywhere from 5 feet to 50 feet). Commercial grade silicone sheets are not as expensive as FDA or premium grade silicone sheets due to its slightly lower high temperature resistance range of +450 degrees Fahrenheit.

  (b) Premium Grade Silicone Rubber

  Premium grade silicone rubber is similar to commercial grade counterpart; however, it can withstand higher temperatures of up to +500 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike commercial grade, premium grade silicone rubber is only offered in 60A durometer sheets and in only eight gauges of 1/32", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". The cost of premium grade sheets will be more than commercial grade sheets as they can withstand heat of up to +500 degrees Fahrenheit whereas commercial grade can only withstand heat of up to +450 degrees Fahrenheit. Because premium grade silicone sheets are only available in 60A durometer sheets, they are priced according to their gauge. The price of premium grade silicone rubber sheets ranges anywhere from $132.90 to $5199.25.

  (c) FDA Grade Silicone Rubber

  FDA grade silicone rubber is the costliest due to its superior thermal stability and ability to be used around materials intended for human consumption. FDA grade silicone rubber is offered in 60A durometer sheets and in six different gauges, including 1/32", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4". For FDA grade silicone sheets, 1/8", 1/16", and 1/32" gauge sheets are available in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50-foot lengths whereas 3/32", 3/16", and 1/4" gauge sheets are only available in 50-foot lengths. FDA grade silicone sheets are the costliest variation of silicone rubber due to its excellent thermal stability (-103 to +500 degrees Fahrenheit) and human grade composition. Depending on the gauge and length of the FDA grade silicone rubber sheet, it can cost anywhere from $132.90 to $5,679.50.

Silicone rubber is offered in three different grades, commercial, premium, and FDA grade silicone rubber sheets, which, in turn, effects the high temperature resistance range of the material. Each grade of high temperature silicone gasket material has a longer and more tedious manufacturing process which adds to the cost of silicone rubber. Additionally, the cost of silicone rubber is also dependent on the sheet’s grade, durometer, gauge, and length. Commercial grade silicone rubber sheets are the least costly type of silicone rubber due to its high temperature resistance range of +450 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, FDA grade and premium grade silicone rubber sheets retain high temperature resistance ranges of +500 degrees Fahrenheit; therefore, they will cost more than their commercial grade counterpart. Overall, the cost of silicone rubber sheets is determined by its strength and durability in heat, environmental factors, and lengthy manufacturing process.