Silicone Rubber (VMQ)
Silicone Rubber (VMQ) is a polysiloxane-based elastomer known for its exceptional thermal stability, broad operating temperature range, and superior flexibility compared to most organic rubbers. VMQ molecular backbone of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms (Si–O–Si) provides thermal and oxidative stability, while organic side groups impart elasticity and resilience.
At Eutsler Technical Products, our VMQ compounds are formulated for precision-molded sealing, vibration isolation, and insulation applications that demand thermal endurance, environmental stability, and electrical insulation. VMQ elastomers maintain elasticity across –120 °F to +450 °F (–85 °C to +230 °C), offering reliable sealing and performance in extreme cold or heat where other rubbers fail.
Performance Advantages
- Exceptional temperature range retains flexibility and sealing integrity from –120 °F (–85 °C) to +450 °F (230 °C).
- Excellent ozone, weather, and UV resistance for outdoor, aerospace, and long-term static service.
- Superior electrical insulation with high dielectric strength and stable electrical properties across temperature extremes.
- Excellent compression set that maintains resilience and preload over extended heat aging.
- Low toxicity and biocompatibility suitable for medical, food-grade, and cleanroom applications.
- Excellent color stability and non-staining properties ideal for visible or architectural components.
- Excellent low-temperature flexibility for unmatched elasticity and recovery at subzero temperatures.
Applications
Eutsler’s custom VMQ compounds are used where thermal endurance, electrical insulation, and flexibility are critical.
Typical applications include:
- O-rings, seals, and gaskets for high or low temperature service
- Medical and food-contact seals (FDA-compliant grades available)
- Electrical insulation boots, grommets, and cable jackets
- Aerospace and automotive engine compartment seals
- Vibration isolators and shock mounts
- Lighting and electronic housing gaskets
- HVAC, sterilization, and bake-out system seals
VMQ elastomers are ideal for static sealing, thermal cycling, and environmental exposure applications, combining extreme temperature flexibility with chemical and ozone stability.
Superior Material Performance
Eutsler’s VMQ compounds provide:
- Tensile strength: 900 – 1,500 psi
- Elongation at break: 100 – 700 % depending on durometer and cure system
- Excellent compression-set resistance under long-term heat exposure
- Outstanding low-temperature flexibility for cold environments
- Excellent dielectric performance for electrical insulation
- Stable physical properties across wide temperature range
- Food- and biocompatible grades available for regulated industries
Note: Standard VMQ has limited resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents. For hydrocarbon fluid exposure, other elastomers should be considered.
Work with Eutsler for Precision-Molded VMQ Components
With over 60 years of elastomer formulation experience, Eutsler Technical Products manufactures custom silicone (VMQ) parts engineered for performance in thermal, environmental, and electrical applications.
Our engineering team tailors polymer type, filler system, and cure chemistry to achieve the required combination of elasticity, durometer, and long-term stability.
As an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer, we ensure traceable quality, precision molding, and consistent performance from prototype through production.
Request a quote today for custom silicone components designed for reliability in extreme temperature or environmental sealing applications.
General Characteristics of Silicone (VMQ) Elastomers
| Property | Typical Range / Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Durometer Range (Shore A) | 20 – 90 | Broad hardness range for diverse sealing needs |
| Tensile Strength (psi) | 900 – 1,500 | Moderate strength; stable across temperatures |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 100 – 700 | Excellent flexibility and stretch |
| Compression Set | Excellent | Maintains sealing load under heat |
| Resilience / Rebound | Excellent | High elasticity and energy recovery |
| Abrasion Resistance | Fair | Suitable for static and light dynamic service |
| Tear Resistance | Fair – Good | Can be improved with high-strength formulations |
| Oil Resistance | Poor – Fair | Limited to silicone-based lubricants |
| Solvent Resistance | Poor | Not suitable for hydrocarbons or fuels |
| Low-Temperature Usage | –120 °F (–85 °C) | Retains elasticity at subzero conditions |
| High-Temperature Usage | +450 °F (230 °C) | Excellent heat aging and stability |
| Weather / Ozone / Sunlight Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent long-term outdoor durability |
| Electrical Properties | Excellent | Stable insulation across temperature range |
| Color Stability | Excellent | UV- and heat-resistant surface appearance |
| Adhesion to Metals | Good | Compatible with bonding agents |
| Gas Permeability | Moderate | Acceptable for static seals; not ideal for vacuum |
Summary
- Chemical Family:Polysiloxane (Silicone Rubber, VMQ)
- Service Temperature Range:–120 °F to +450 °F (–85 °C to +230 °C)
- Distinguishing Features:Exceptional temperature range, ozone resistance, and flexibility
- Key Advantages:
- Broadest service temperature range of any general-purpose elastomer
- Excellent environmental, ozone, and UV stability
- Outstanding compression set and resilience
- Electrical insulation and biocompatibility
- Inert, clean, and non-staining material
- Limitations:
- Poor resistance to fuels, oils, and most solvents
- Lower tear and abrasion resistance than HNBR or FKM
Silicone Rubber (VMQ) provides exceptional flexibility, stability, and insulation across the widest temperature range of any elastomer.
Eutsler Technical Products’ precision-molded VMQ components are trusted for aerospace, medical, electrical, and industrial sealing where thermal endurance and material stability are paramount.
Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ) is a fluorinated derivative of silicone rubber (VMQ), designed to combine the exceptional temperature flexibility of silicones with enhanced resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents. Its molecular structure incorporates trifluoropropyl side groups into the polysiloxane backbone, creating an elastomer that maintains elasticity at low temperatures while resisting nonpolar fluids and hydrocarbons that degrade standard VMQ.
At Eutsler Technical Products, our FVMQ compounds are formulated for long-term sealing and resilience in aerospace, automotive, and industrial environments exposed to fuels, oils, and temperature extremes. FVMQ offers exceptional stability across –80 °F to +450 °F, providing reliable sealing in applications where thermal cycling and chemical exposure are critical.
Performance Advantages
- Superior resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents performing well in aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, jet fuels, and lubricants where standard silicones fail.
- Exceptional temperature range retaining flexibility and elasticity from –80 °F (–60 °C) to +450 °F (230 °C).
- Excellent compression set and recovery maintaining sealing load through long-term exposure to heat and fluids.
- Outstanding ozone, weather, and oxidation resistance ideal for outdoor, aerospace, and high-altitude applications.
- Excellent electrical insulation with high dielectric strength and arc resistance under wide temperature range.
- Good resistance to nonpolar chemicals and low surface energy fluids suitable for fuels, hydraulic oils, and oxygenated solvents.
- Non-reactive and biocompatible inert in critical systems; low extractables and stable physical properties.
Applications
Eutsler’s custom FVMQ compounds are used where oil, fuel, and solvent resistance must be combined with broad thermal flexibility and environmental durability.
Typical applications include:
- Aerospace fuel system seals and O-rings
- Jet fuel and lubricant-resistant gaskets
- Automotive underhood and turbocharger seals
- Chemical and hydraulic seals
- Vacuum system components exposed to fuels or solvents
- Electronic and sensor encapsulation seals
- Fuel vapor handling and exhaust isolation components
FVMQ elastomers are especially valuable in aerospace, defense, and high-performance automotive systems that require chemical stability across severe temperature ranges.
Superior Material Performance
Eutsler’s FVMQ compounds deliver:
- Tensile strength: 900 – 1,500 psi
- Elongation: 100 – 300 % for excellent flexibility under stress
- Low compression set: Outstanding recovery after long-term heat or fluid exposure
- Excellent resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents
- Outstanding ozone and UV stability for outdoor or aerospace environments
- Stable dielectric performance and insulation properties over a wide temperature range
- Color stability and weather resistance for visible or exterior components
Note: FVMQ is not recommended for continuous exposure to strong acids, alkalis, or hot water/steam, as hydrolysis may occur. For aqueous environments, EPDM or HNBR is preferred.
Work with Eutsler for Precision-Molded FVMQ Components
With over 60 years of elastomer design and manufacturing expertise, Eutsler Technical Products produces custom Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) components optimized for fuel, oil, and temperature exposure.
Our engineering team tailors polymer grade, filler system, and cure chemistry to meet specific performance requirements for aerospace, industrial, and high-temperature sealing environments.
As an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer, Eutsler ensures tight process control, consistent batch quality, and traceable production for every molded part.
Request a quote today to specify custom-engineered FVMQ components designed for long-term sealing reliability in harsh fuel, chemical, and thermal environments.
General Characteristics of Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) Elastomers
| Property | Typical Range / Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Durometer Range (Shore A) | 40 – 90 | Custom hardness available |
| Tensile Strength (psi) | 900 – 1,500 | Moderate, stable across temperature extremes |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 100 – 300 | Maintains flexibility at low temperatures |
| Compression Set | Excellent | Excellent retention under prolonged heat |
| Resilience / Rebound | Fair – Good | Controlled elasticity; moderate damping |
| Abrasion Resistance | Fair | Not intended for abrasive contact |
| Tear Resistance | Good | Retains toughness under flexing |
| Oil Resistance | Excellent | Superior to standard VMQ |
| Fuel Resistance | Excellent | Stable in jet fuels, oils, and hydrocarbons |
| Solvent Resistance | Good | Effective against nonpolar solvents |
| Low-Temperature Usage | –80 °F (–60 °C) | Exceptional flexibility at low temperatures |
| High-Temperature Usage | +450 °F (230 °C) | Excellent heat stability |
| Weather / Ozone / Sunlight Resistance | Outstanding | Ideal for long-term outdoor exposure |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent (nonpolar fluids) | Poor in strong acids or steam |
| Electrical Properties | Excellent | High dielectric strength |
| Adhesion to Metals | Good | Enhanced with bonding agents |
| Gas Permeability | Low | Stable in vacuum and fuel vapor service |
Get in Touch with Our Experts Today!
Summary
- Chemical Family:Fluorosilicone (Trifluoropropyl Methyl Siloxane Copolymer)
- Service Temperature Range:–80 °F to +450 °F (–60 °C to +230 °C)
- Distinguishing Features:Combines fuel and oil resistance of fluorocarbons with temperature flexibility of silicone
- Key Advantages:
- Excellent fuel, oil, and solvent resistance
- Broadest temperature service range among elastomers
- Outstanding weathering, ozone, and UV resistance
- Excellent compression set and long-term stability
- Electrical insulation and biocompatibility
- Limitations:
- Limited strength and abrasion resistance
- Poor hydrolytic stability (not for steam or hot water)
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) provides exceptional thermal stability and fuel resistance, making it the material of choice for aerospace, automotive, and industrial sealing in environments combining high temperature, fuel, and ozone exposure.
Why Choose Eutsler Technical Products?
R&D
Experienced staff develop high performance and long life parts
Material Selection
Over 300 compounds or custom elastomeric compounds available
Mold Design
Custom molds are designed ensuring tolerances are met
Manufacturing
Molding, extrusion and die cutting services to build your part
Connect with Our Experts
Please fill out the form and one of our team members will reach out as soon as possible.
* indicates a required field.