Silicone sponge sheets are a preferred choice in the medical, food, and beverage industries due to their resistance to micro-bacterial growth, thermal stability, and low toxicity.
The sheet is extracted and manufactured from gum-based Polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS). Some grades of silicone sheets can remain flexible in temperatures as low as -100°C and as high as 315°C.
But choosing the right silicone sponge sheet for your requirement can be a primary task.
What Exactly is a Silicone Sheet?
Silicone is a synthetic elastic substance which has unique physical properties in comparison to carbon-based rubber material. A widely known polymer material is then chemically expanded on the application of the heat to create the closed-cell sponge structure.
The silicone sponge is then chemically formulated to convert it into sheets with non-interconnecting cells. This quality helps in preventing any liquid from permeating through the sheet. You can also check out vibration isolation pads for more great options.
How to Decide Based on Quality
The choice of a silicone sheet depends upon your requirements and utility. The materials used in the sponge manufacturing process are flexible, compressible, offer non-stick characteristics, and are ozone and UV-resistant. Such high-quality sheets can be easily converted or fabricated.
Based on these facts, you can decide whether the sheet is useful for your industrial purpose or not. The other most important aspect is that the silicone sponge sheet is food-safe due to its low toxicity level. It also offers a low compression set that enables the sheet to rebound to its original thickness, which makes it suitable for application under compressive load.
Based on Usage in Different Industries
You can use the closed-cell sponge sheet for numerous purposes as the sheets can be converted or fabricated into several different products. They are quality consistent, dependable, and can outperform by meeting critical safety standards in harsh environments.
The usage is typically in automation and construction industries as it can be used for vibration damping pads, sealing, and gasket-sealing. Also, these sheets play a significant role in HVAC, LED lighting, mass transit, oil, and gas industries for preventing the water from percolating.
How to Decide Among Different Types
Your usage can differ as per the requirement; hence, these sheets come in different densities, namely; soft density, medium density, and firm density. The densities are not the only various aspects of silicone sponge sheet, but they also come in a varied range of customized materials. These include the Fluorosilicone sponge sheet, thermally conductive silicone sponge, flame retardant silicone sponge, and high-temperature silicone sponge.
For any activity that is rough in the process and demands high resistance power, these sheets will offer the best toughness with complete durability.
In any manufacturing industry and production industry, the machinery is used for prolonged hours, and heat is generated at higher degrees where you can choose these silicone sponge sheets as per their durability and sustainability power.
Check whether the sheets have sufficient elasticity to fight the tensile strength, ruggedness, and to endure fatigue. You need to understand the configuration of your process and decide which silicone sponge sheet will work best for you.