Silicones are used where chemical inertness is needed, as well as the ability to withstand extreme environments between -65°C (-85°F) to 230°C (450°F), for example; aircraft nose seals, fuselage seals, wing seals, etc.

Properties of silicone that have made this family of rubbers important engineering materials include:

• Good thermal stability
• Constancy of properties over a wide temperature range leading to large operating range (e.g. –100 to 250°C)
• Ability to repel water and form water tight seals
• Excellent resistance to oxygen, ozone and sunlight
• Flexibility
• Good electrical insulation
• Anti-adhesive properties
• Low chemical reactivity
• Low toxicity

Disadvantages of silicone:

• Vulcanised rubbers display poor tensile properties
• Some grades have poor hydrocarbon, oil and solvent resistance
• High gas permeability (not always a problem)
• Relatively high cost

Products using Silicone:

• Door seals
• Window seals
• Cabin seals
• Wing seals
• All over fuselage
• Fire barrier seals
• Electrically conductive seals (EMI, Electro Magnetic Interference and RFI, Radio Frequency Interference)

» Click to contact Specialised Polymer Engineering to discuss your silicone product requirements.