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Understanding Silicone Elastomers and Their Role in Engineering


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Silicone elastomers are essential materials in modern engineering, providing flexibility, durability and high-performance capabilities across various industries. Their compressibility, combined with a broad range of physical and environmental resistances, makes them ideal for gaskets, seals, thermal interface materials and more.

At Sur-Seal, we specialize in advanced silicone elastomer solutions that enhance product reliability and performance in demanding applications, from aerospace and automotive to medical and industrial sectors.

What Are Silicone Elastomers?

Silicone elastomers are synthetic rubber-like materials composed of silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. Their unique molecular structure gives them excellent resistance to extreme temperatures, environmental conditions, and chemical exposure. These properties make silicone elastomers a superior choice for durable and stable applications.

How Sur-Seal’s Silicone Elastomer Products Address Industry Needs

Sur-Seal’s expertise in silicone elastomers allows us to offer custom-engineered components that optimize performance in critical applications. Our product offerings include:

1. Conductive Elastomers for EMI & ESD Protection

Some industries, such as aerospace, telecommunications and military, require specialized shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Our conductive elastomers are designed for such environments.

  • Made from silicone impregnated with metal particles (aluminum, silver, nickel, and copper), these materials combine excellent sealing capabilities with conductivity to shield electronic enclosures effectively.
  • Ideal for protecting avionics systems, telecommunications enclosures and military communication devices from external electromagnetic disturbances.
  • Available in various densities and compositions to function as rubber, foam or sponge-like materials, ensuring adaptability to different applications.

2. High-Performance Gaskets and Seals

Silicone elastomers’ compressibility and resistance to harsh environments make them ideal for gaskets and seals used in high-performance applications:

  • Automotive & Aerospace: Our custom-cut silicone solutions, including BISCO® silicone, conductive elastomers, fabric-reinforced silicone, and fluorosilicone, are engineered for durability in extreme temperature conditions, ensuring reliable sealing in engines, exhaust systems, and aircraft components.
  • Medical Devices: Biocompatible silicone elastomers provide safe and reliable sealing for medical equipment, including tubing, catheters, and implantable components.
  • Industrial Sealing Solutions: Our custom-cut sealing solutions protect manufacturing equipment from exposure to chemicals, moisture, and extreme heat.

3. Thermal Interface Materials

Many electronic and industrial applications generate significant heat that must be managed effectively to maintain performance and safety. Sur-Seal provides:

  • Silicone-based thermal pads and gap fillers dissipate heat in electronic systems such as LED lighting, circuit boards, and power modules.
  • Custom die-cut solutions to fit complex geometries and ensure optimal heat transfer.

Why Choose Sur-Seal for Silicone Elastomers?

Sur-Seal offers industry-leading capabilities in custom-engineered elastomer solutions, ensuring:

  • Access to diverse materials, including conductive elastomers, high-consistency rubber and precision-cut gaskets.
  • Advanced manufacturing capabilities, such as die-cutting, CNC cutting, laminating and slitting, to produce high-quality components.
  • A commitment to responsiveness, providing customers with innovative solutions, quick turnaround times and expert engineering support.

Whether you need a conductive elastomer gasket for EMI shielding, a durable automotive seal or a precision thermal interface material, Sur-Seal has the expertise and technology to deliver.

Contact us today to learn how our silicone elastomer solutions can enhance your application’s performance and reliability.

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