To determine whether or not you need sponge silicone elastomer, we first have to identify the properties and characteristics of a high temperature cellular silicone, also referred to as foam or sponge silicone. The purpose of this article is to do just that. It is always important to know what the nature and demands of a particular application are. No one wants to get the wrong material or part. The good thing about silicone is that it comes with a variety of unique properties that make it ideal for use in a lot of different commercial and industrial applications. Silicone is mostly popular for being a high temperature material. Although its temperature range is excellent, it also brings to the table a good degree of resistance to various chemicals. The traits of a silicone foam sheet are listed below for you.

High Temperature: If you have an application that requires a part that will see temperatures under 200° F, then an EPDM, neoprene, or nitrile sponge will work. They are among the more cost effective options. If your application exceeds 200° F and is below 450°-500° F, t hen going with a high temperature cellular silicone may be your answer. This high temperature material has a working temperature range of up to 450° F. This means any parts, gasses, or liquids that come into contact with the sponge silicone cannot exceed 450° F. What happens if something does go above the said temperature? The real answer is “failure” without a conclusive answer as to how the product will fail. Since there are many other variables in every application, there is no way to answer definitively. However, you can rest assured that sponge silicone will be able to operate comfortably and effectively in a wide range of temperatures.

Chemicals: Silicone rubber in general has a higher resistance to chemical materials. This means that where some compounds of sponge rubber will fail because of contact with chemicals, sponge silicone rubber may serve as a great option. Of course this depends on what the chemical is that come into contact with the rubber. It is highly advised to know which exact chemicals an elastomer part is expected to deal with. Overall, sponge silicone should be taken into serious consideration as a viable option where corrosive substances may be present.

Low Compression Set: This is a characteristic of most sponge rubbers, however it is definitely an attribute of a cellular silicone material. Compression set refers to the tendency of soft materials, such as elastomers, to undergo permanent deformation. What this means is that a silicone foam sheet has a lower possibility to maintain permanent deformation after it has been compressed for a period of time. This is also known as rebound. Material with good rebound characteristics can handle continued compression with a lower chance of permanently compromising the integrity of the material.

Which cell structure is right for your application: Silicone foam sheet rubber is available in two different cell structures: open cell and closed cell. If you have an application where low compression set is important, then the open cell sponge silicone material would be a good choice for you. Since this high temperature material normally returns to its uncompressed state much more quickly than it’s closed cell counterpart and with little permanent deformation. However, closed cell sponge silicone rubber would be the option when your application may have stronger pressure on the material, because it is less likely to become damaged from the pressure that you are applying.

In conclusion, if your application needs a reliable sponge rubber part, then consider a silicone foam sheet. If your application is going to have a higher or lower temperature range or have corrosive chemical elements present, then cellular silicone is a great option for you. We can offer sponge silicone in several different densities and color options to suit your needs. Your application should get the best elastomer parts available on the market, and silicone sponge sheets are among those elastomers!