Silicone O-rings

Silicone O-rings are efficient seals used in multiple sectors. This type of O-ring is made from vmq silicone rubber, offering strong resistance to temperatures ranging from -55°C to +200°C. There are also special variants that can handle even higher temperatures. Silicone O-rings are elastic, durable and resistant to UV exposure, ozone and outdoor conditions, making them ideal for outdoor installations. Silicone rubber o ring are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and medical industries due to their chemical inertness and FDA approvals. They do not release any taste or odor and are resistant to bacteria and fungi. Although a VMQ O-ring is less suitable for long-term exposure to oils, greases and fuels, it remains a reliable option especially in scenarios where adaptability and hygiene are essential.

What are Silicone O-rings?

Silicone O-rings are high-quality seals made from VMQ (vinyl methyl silicone rubber). This material is known for its elasticity and temperature resistance (-55°C to +200°C). Even in extreme cold, they retain their flexibility. In addition, they are highly resistant to aging, ozone and UV radiation, making them excellent for outdoor use and offering a long service life.
Thanks to their chemical inertness and vmq fda approval, Silicone O-rings are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where hygiene and safety are top priorities. A VMQ O-ring provides consistent sealing in environments that require resistance to high temperatures and atmospheric influences. However, it is less suitable for use with oils, greases and fuels.

Production of Silicone O-rings

silicone sealing rings are manufactured from silicone elastomer (VMQ) and cured through either peroxide or platinum vulcanisation. This process results in high purity and excellent thermal stability. It ensures that the Silicone O-rings remain flexible at temperatures between -55°C and +200°C. The production process is precise and must meet strict hygienic standards. This makes them one of the best choices for use in food and pharmaceutical applications. A VMQ O-ring maintains its properties over long periods, even in harsh conditions.

What is VMQ

VMQ stands for vinyl methyl silicone, a high-grade silicone elastomer used to produce Silicone O-rings. This material offers temperature resistance from -55°C to +200°C and retains flexibility even in extreme cold. Moreover, silicone o rings are highly resistant to UV radiation, ozone and external influences, which makes them broadly applicable. Due to their chemical inertness and FDA approval, Silicone O-rings are ideal for hygienic use in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Advantages of Silicone O-rings

Silicone O-rings are known for their broad usability and unique properties, making them suitable for a wide range of industries. These seals can withstand temperatures from -55°C to +200°C, with special variants capable of handling even higher ranges. The silicone O-ring maintains their flexibility even in extreme cold. They also provide strong resistance to ozone, UV radiation and aging. These O-rings are chemically inert and FDA approved, making them perfect for the food and pharmaceutical sectors. They do not emit any odor or taste and are resistant to bacteria and fungi. Although Silicone O-rings are less compatible with oils, greases and fuels, they are still a dependable sealing solution especially in hygienic and temperature-sensitive environments.

Temperature resistance

Silicone O-rings maintain flexibility and sealing performance across a wide temperature range of -55°C to +200°C. Are the conditions too extreme? Then there are specialised versions that can withstand even higher temperatures. This makes them suitable for both cold and hot environments without the material becoming hard or brittle. Thanks to their thermal stability, Silicone O-rings are a common sealing choice in the pharmaceutical, food and medical industries.

Resistance to various environments

Silicone O-rings offer strong protection against ozone, UV radiation and diverse weather conditions, making them highly suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. As a result, these O-rings remain durable even under prolonged exposure to sunlight and environmental factors. With their high resistance to aging and degradation, they stay flexible and effective for long periods without losing shape or function. This is why they are often used in the food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors.

Chemical resistance

Silicone O-rings remain effective when exposed to water, acids and bases, making them suitable for various fields including the medical sector. They are also ideal in situations where chemical stability is required. Unfortunately, they offer limited resistance to oils, greases and solvents, which restricts their use in some industries. If you need a seal that can handle oils and fuels, a fluorosilicone O-ring is a better alternative, offering improved chemical resistance and longer life in such conditions.

Hygienic and medical applications

Due to their biological inertness and FDA approval, Silicone O-rings are perfect for food and medical industries. They also do not emit any odor or taste, making them safe for direct contact with food and beverages. Additionally, they offer resistance to bacteria and fungi a crucial property in food processing where hygiene and safety are essential. Thanks to these features, Silicone O-rings are widely used in pharmaceutical equipment, medical devices and food production systems, all of which are subject to strict hygiene requirements.

Applications of Silicone O-rings

Silicone O-rings are used across a wide range of industries thanks to their temperature resistance, chemical inertness and flexibility. In the food industry, these O-rings are found in food processing machines and beverage dispensers, as they do not release any odor or taste. They also meet strict FDA and EC1935/2004 standards. In pharmaceutical and medical environments, these seals are highly suitable for sterile use because they resist bacteria and fungi.
In addition, Silicone O-rings are installed in electronics and household appliances due to their insulating properties and tolerance to ozone and UV radiation. Their unique mix of durability and hygienic qualities makes them a dependable choice in various technical fields.

Food and pharmaceutical industry

You will often encounter Silicone O-rings in the food and pharmaceutical sectors because of their hygienic properties and heat resistance. Since the O-rings are certified under FDA and EC1935/2004, they are safe for direct contact with food and medicine without releasing smell or taste. They also tolerate fungi and bacteria very well, which is crucial in sterile environments. Their wide temperature range of -55°C to +200°C helps these O-rings stay flexible and effective. Even in demanding production and processing conditions, they perform reliably.

Electronics and household appliances

Silicone O-rings are commonly used in electronic equipment and household devices due to their electrically insulating characteristics. These seals can resist ozone, UV radiation and extreme temperatures, which makes them a smart option for sectors where long-term performance is important. On top of that, their high flexibility and resistance to aging help them last longer without quality loss. That’s why Silicone O-rings are often applied in kitchen appliances, electrical seals and other household products.

Disadvantages of Silicone O-rings

Although Silicone O-rings offer many advantages, there are also a few points to consider. One downside is that they do not resist oils, greases and fuels well. That makes them less suitable for use in the automotive and aerospace industries. They also have lower mechanical strength and wear resistance compared to other rubber types, which reduces their effectiveness in dynamic systems with high friction or pressure. Another factor is the high coefficient of friction, which makes them less suitable for applications that require low resistance. Despite these drawbacks, Silicone O-rings remain a strong choice for conditions where hygiene and temperature resistance are key.

Limited resistance to oils, greases and fuels

Silicone O-rings are not compatible with long-term exposure to oils, greases and fuels, which limits their use in specific industries. Continuous contact with these substances may cause a decline in sealing quality and material breakdown. This makes Silicone O-rings less ideal for automotive and aerospace applications, where seals are regularly exposed to fuels and lubricants. In these cases, fluoro silicone or NBR O-rings offer better chemical resistance and durability.

Lower mechanical strength and wear resistance

Silicone O-rings have lower tensile strength and wear resistance when compared to rubber types like NBR. This means they are more likely to wear out quickly under mechanical stress or constant friction. Therefore, they are not the best choice for dynamic seals or industrial systems that involve high pressure and frequent motion. NBR or FKM O-rings are better suited for those uses thanks to their superior wear resistance and structural integrity.

High coefficient of friction

Due to their high friction resistance, Silicone O-rings are less effective in dynamic sealing systems or in situations involving frequent movement. The increased friction leads to faster wear, which reduces their lifespan. This makes them a poor fit for systems that require low-friction sealing. In such cases, materials like NBR or FKM are better alternatives because they provide smoother performance and greater durability.

Why choose Silicone O-rings?

Silicone O-rings are a dependable choice in environments that demand heat resistance, flexibility and chemical stability. Their tolerance for high temperatures (from -55°C to +200°C) and resistance to ozone, UV radiation and weather exposure allow them to perform well over time. They are also approved under FDA and EC1935/2004 standards, which makes them ideal for food and pharmaceutical use. Their hygienic properties and resistance to bacteria make them suitable for sterile applications. However, their limited resistance to oils and fuels and their lower wear resistance make them less ideal for dynamic systems. By carefully considering these factors, Silicone O-rings can be applied effectively in the right situations.