VMQ — Vinyl Methyl Silicone
Silicone Rubber
Silicone offers the widest continuous temperature range of any elastomer, from cryogenic cold to sustained high heat. We stock VMQ sheet rubber in red, translucent, white, black, blue, moulded, sponge, insert-reinforced, wire-reinforced, and EMI-shielded grades for food processing, medical, aerospace, and high-temperature industrial sealing.
At a Glance
Temperature Range
-60 °C to +230 °C continuous
Thickness Range
0.3 mm to 12 mm
Hardness Range
30–80 Shore A solid; 10–25 sponge
Available Forms
Colours
Brands We Stock
Technical Properties
Typical values across stocked grades. Specific grade data sheets available on request.
Physical Characteristics
Density
1.10–1.30 g/cm³ (ASTM D792)
Tensile Strength
5–12 MPa (ASTM D412)
Elongation at Break
100–700% (ASTM D412)
Compression Set
10–35% at 175 °C / 22 h (ASTM D395)
Tear Strength
5–15 kN/m typical; up to 30 with high-tear grades (ASTM D624)
Dielectric Strength
15–25 kV/mm (ASTM D149)
Chemical Resistance
Resistant To
- Water (to 230 °C); saturated steam to ~120 °C continuous
- Ozone and UV radiation
- Dilute acids and alkalis
- Alcohols and glycols
- Animal and vegetable oils
- Silicone oils and greases
- Oxygen and air at elevated temperatures
Limited Resistance
- Petroleum oils and fuels (mild swelling)
- Concentrated acids at elevated temperature
- Aromatic solvents (some swelling)
Not Recommended
- Concentrated sulphuric acid
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Saturated steam above ~120 °C continuous (reversion to silanols; the 230 °C rating applies to dry air only)
- Petroleum-based hydraulic fluids (excessive swelling); use nitrile or FKM
- Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene in sustained contact; use FKM
Environmental Ratings
Weather Resistance
Excellent: UV, ozone, and weather stable for permanent outdoor exposure
Ozone Resistance
Excellent, with no cracking per ASTM D1171
UV Resistance
Excellent across all colours, which resist UV degradation
Standards & Certifications
Standards Compliance
Certifications
Common Applications
- Food and beverage processing gaskets (FDA grades)
- Pharmaceutical and medical device seals
- High-temperature oven and furnace gaskets
- Aerospace and aviation seals
- Electrical insulation and high-voltage bushings
- Cryogenic and low-temperature seals
- EMI/RFI shielding gaskets
- Lighting fixture gaskets and lens seals
- Automotive exhaust and turbo system gaskets
- Clean room and laboratory equipment seals
Not Recommended For
- Low tear strength compared to other elastomers, so it is not suited to high-torque bolting or abrasive environments
- Swells in petroleum oils and fuels — use nitrile (NBR) or FKM for hydrocarbon service
- Reversion to silanols in saturated steam above ~120 °C continuous (the 230 °C rating applies to dry air only); use FKM or PTFE for high-temperature steam
- Poor abrasion resistance: not suited to dynamic seals with sliding contact
- Higher cost per kilogram than EPDM or nitrile for general-purpose applications
Available Grades
Brands we stock: Jehbco
Red Silicone (60 Shore A)
General-purpose red silicone sheet, our most popular VMQ grade. Excellent for high-temperature sealing, food processing, and general industrial applications.
Translucent Silicone
Food SafeClear/translucent silicone sheet for applications requiring visual inspection through the gasket. FDA-compliant and widely used in food, medical, and laboratory equipment.
White Silicone (FDA)
Food SafeFood-safe white silicone formulated to meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements. Preferred in dairy, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications where colour contamination must be visible.
Black Silicone
Carbon-filled black silicone with improved UV resistance and slightly better mechanical properties than standard red. Used in outdoor and automotive applications.
Blue Silicone (Metal-Detectable)
Food SafeBlue-pigmented silicone with metal-detectable additives for food processing lines. Allows detection by metal detectors if gasket fragments enter the product stream.
Silicone Sponge / Expanded
Closed-cell expanded silicone for low-pressure sealing, thermal insulation, and cushioning at extreme temperatures. Retains flexibility from -60 °C to +230 °C.
Silicone Insert-Reinforced
Silicone bonded to glass cloth for improved tear resistance and dimensional stability. Used in large-format high-temperature gaskets and expansion joints.
Silicone Wire-Reinforced
Silicone embedded with stainless steel wire mesh for added mechanical strength. Used in pressure vessel gaskets and applications requiring burst resistance.
EMI-Shielded Silicone
Silicone loaded with conductive particles (silver, nickel, or carbon) to provide electromagnetic interference shielding combined with environmental sealing.
Related Resources
Related Materials
Need Silicone Rubber?
We supply silicone rubber in sheet, roll, and custom die-cut forms. Contact our team for pricing, data sheets, or technical assistance.
Disclaimer
This resource is provided for general engineering reference only and does not constitute professional advice, specification, or guarantee of performance. Actual results depend on specific application conditions. Universal Gaskets Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability for decisions made based on this information. For full terms, see our Terms & Conditions.