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FAQ

 General Silicone Sponge and Silicone Foam

  • What is the difference between silicone sponge rubber and silicone foam rubber?
    • Simply put, silicone sponge and silicone foam use different raw materials and different manufacturing processes resulting in slightly different properties and appearances.  Silicone sponge is compounded with a gum type silicone, mixed and processed through a calender, a machine consisting of a series of hard pressure rollers.  Then it is run through a rotocure machine, which continuously vulcanizes the rubber.  The characteristic fine fabric finish on the surface of the silicone sponge is from conveyer belt used in the production process.  Silicone sponge is a closed cell structure.  V22-100 is an example of a silicone sponge.
    • Silicone foam, on the other hand is made from a liquid silicone rubber.  These relatively low viscosity liquids can be pumped to the vulcanizing equipment.  The liquid is cast onto a smooth liner (giving silicone foam its smooth surface appearance) and processed through curing ovens.  Silicone foams may be closed cell, open cell or a combination of open and closed cells. V23-000 is an example of a silicone foam.
  • How do the material properties vary between silicone sponge and silicone foam?
    • While both silicone sponge and silicone foam have good sealing properties at elevated temperatures, there are subtle differences in the materials.  Silicone sponge is compounded and mixed on a 2 roll mill and then cured in an oven.  Silicone foam is made from a liquid silicone which is extruded and cured in an over.  Both are cellular in nature. Silicone sponge tends to be higher in density, have higher tear strength and has a higher use temp (up to 500F compare to 392F for silicone foam).  Basically silicone sponge has higher physical and mechanical properties than silicone foam. Silicone foam tends to be softer, lower in density and has lower compression set characteristics.  Because it contains more air, it provides better thermal insulation.  Silicone foam also has better flame retardant characteristics which are desirable in aerospace applications.  Neither material absorbs much water, so silicone "sponge" is sometimes a confusing description.

Silicone Sponge Vs. Silicone Foam

Characteristic

Sponge

Foam

Raw Material

Gum based silicone, mixed and cured in an oven

Liquid silicone extruded and cured in an oven  

Min Max Use Temp

-73oC +260oC

-100oF + 500oF

-51oC +200oC

-67oF + 392oF

Flammability

UL 94 HBF (horizontal burn formula is available V22-300)

UL 94 V-0 Vertical burn - better flame rating than sponge

Compression Set

Good (a lower compression set formula is available V22-210)

Better compression set than sponge

Tensile Strength

High tensile strength; higher material weight

Lower tensile strength than sponge; lower material weight.  Easier to tear by hand.

Density

Soft Silicone Sponge = 21-30 PCF (pound/cubic ft) typical

Medium Silicone Sponge = 29-33 PCF typical

Firm Silicone Sponge = 40 PCF typical

Soft Silicone Foam = 12 PCF typical(pound/cubic ft)

Medium Silicone Foam = 22 PCF typical

 

Compression Deflection

Soft Silicone Sponge = 5-9 PSI typical

Medium Silicone Sponge = 6-14 PSI typical

Firm Silicone Sponge = 12-20 PSI typical

Soft Silicone Foam = 3 PSI typical

Medium Silicone Foam = 9 PSI typical

 

Note: Information provided is for reference and the user must determine if a particular product is suitable for the application. 

  • What is the difference between silicone sponge per MIL-R-6130, Type 2, Grade A, B and C?
    • MIL-R-6130 is a military specification for chemically blown, cellular rubber.  Type 2 is closed cell.  Grade A is oil and flame resistant, Grade B is non oil resistant and Grade C is Low temperature, non oil resistant.   V22-300 is an example of Grade A and V22-100 is an example of Grade B and C.

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