Low Temperature Resistance of Silicone
In general, silicone rubber has excellent low temperature performance. Properties of silicone are not adversely affected by exposure to extreme low temperatures. Original properties return when silicone reaches room temperature. The concern is how low of temperature can the material withstand and still remain flexible. This is determined by the polymer type. Below is a comparison of 3 types of silicone; 1) Dimethyl silicone (VMQ), 2) Fluorosilicone (FVMQ), 3) Phenylmethyl-Dimethyl silicone (PVMQ).
| Silicone Type | Brittleness | Young Modulus | TR-10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General purpose (VMQ) | -100°F | -67°F | -58°F |
| High Strength (VMQ) | -108°F | -76°F | -58°F |
| Extreme Low Temp. (PVMQ) | -180°F | -175°F | -177°F |
| Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) | -90°F | -74°F | -70°F |
- Brittleness Temperature measures the temperature at which rubber becomes so brittle that a sample will break on impact when struck sharply.
- Youngs Modulus in Flexure measures how much a sample, supported by a simple beam, is bent by a measured weight at a measured low temperature. The temperature where modulus
reaches 10,000 psi is called “Youngs Modulus stiffening temperature” for rubber. - Temperature of Retraction (TR-10) measures the temperature at which a frozen sample becomes flexible enough to contract.
