As a long-standing silicone rubber supplier, we’ve dealt with customers that have used this flexible material in a gamut of uses and applications. Silicone rubber’s excellent resistance to ozone, oxygen and UV rays make it a popular elastomer to use in outdoor conditions. For extreme temperature applications, it is nearly imperative to buy silicone rubber since it is the only readily available elastomer than can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as -103 degree Fahrenheit without drastically losing stability. As the cherry on top this rubber is physiologically inert and does not release any taste or smell in contrast to most types of elastomers.

With such unique and almost unrivaled properties, it is easy to miss silicone rubber’s broad range of chemical resistance, which is just as impressive. In particular applications, it is vital to contact a silicone rubber supplier to ensure that the elastomer is compatible. While you’re here, take a look at a couple of common products:

• Motor and machine oil: As far as oil-resistant elastomers go, nitrile and chloroprene (neoprene) are often the first types of rubber’s that come to mind. Yet, depending on the temperature, silicone may be the superior rubber in motor and machine oil applications. At temperatures below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, nitrile and chloroprene have a better oil resistance than silicone. In temperatures that exceed 270 degrees Fahrenheit, silicone can maintain its stability and oil resistance better than nitrile and chloroprene. Lets name some:
  • Transformer oil, 150 Celsius
  • Castor Oil, 150 Celsius
  • Gear Oil Type SEA 90, 150 Celsius
  • Diesel Oil, 20 Celsius
  • Compressor Oil, light, 150 Celsius
  • Brake Fluid AT, 100 Celsius


• Food-related oils and greases: Many companies buy silicone rubber not only for cooking and baking utensils but also for food processing components like seal gaskets. The temperature-tolerant elastomer has a low toxicity, taste and smell, which is ideal in such applications. Yet, it is also used in food processing and preparation due to its resistance to many common food substances:
  • Coconut oil, 20 Celsius
  • Peanut oil, 20 Celsius
  • Soybean oil, 20 Celsius
  • Butter, 20 Celsius
  • Animal fats (lard) , 20 Celsius
  • Corn oil , 20 Celsius
  • Fish oil, 20 Celsius
  • Salt cooking solution 10%, 20 Celsius
  • Olive oil, 150 Celsius
  • Vaseline, 150 Celsius



• Polar organic compounds: Alcohol, dimethyl ether and other polar organic compounds do not cause the rubber to swell or soften drastically. Such compounds affect most rubbers with the exception of nitrile. It must be noted that non-polar compounds like gasoline do cause silicone to swell. So what are polar compounds? Depending on the relative electronegativities of the two atoms sharing electrons, there may be partial transfer of electron density from one atom to the other. When the electronegativities are not equal, electrons are not shared equally and partial ionic charges develop. The greater the electronegativity difference, the more ionic the bond is. Bonds that are partly ionic are called polar covalent bonds.

• Acids and bases: Dilute acids and bases like acetic acid and ammonia do not cause an adverse reaction when exposed to silicone. Stronger acids and bases do cause a reaction with the rubber and should be avoided. Here are some acids that silicone is resistant to:
  • Acstic Acid, 20 Celsius
  • Phosphric Acid 30%, 20 Celsius
  • Hydrochloric Acid 10%, 20 Celsius
  • Sulfuric Acid, 20 Celsius

If you are unsure of the compatibility of silicone with your application, any silicone rubber supplier will be able to educate you on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the elastomer. Silicone rubber’s set of properties may be flexible, but it can’t be used in just any application!