Some rubbers are made for strength.
Others for pressure.

And then there’s silicone.

Clean, cool and composed, even when the heat is on.

Solid silicone rubber, technically known as VMQ, is prized for its purity, thermal stability and biocompatibility.

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Introduced in the mid-20th century, it was developed to thrive in environments where other rubbers fail.

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What sets VMQ apart is its chemistry. Instead of a carbon-based backbone, it uses siloxane chains, alternating silicon and oxygen atoms stabilized by organic side groups. This unique structure gives it extraordinary resistance to heat, cold and environmental stress.

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VMQ stays flexible down to –60 °C and performs continuously above 200 °C, with special grades reaching even higher. It doesn’t melt, harden, or crack, even after repeated thermal cycling.

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It’s also chemically inert. VMQ doesn’t leach, stain, corrode or contaminate. That’s why medical-grade silicones are trusted in surgical tubing, respiratory equipment, baby products and pharmaceutical systems. In industry, silicone appears in lighting seals, electrical insulation, high-temperature gaskets and even specialized optical or electronic components.

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Silicone is easy to pigment, available in translucent or vibrant colors and remains stable for years. It resists ozone, UV and oxidation better than most elastomers.

But even silicone has its limits. It has low tear strength and performs poorly under dynamic stress, abrasion or friction. And in oils, fuels and many hydrocarbon solvents, it swells and degrades.

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Still, when purity, flexibility and thermal stability matter most, VMQ remains the material of choice.

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And when production demands faster cycles, higher automation and intricate detail, its liquid counterpart takes the stage: here comes LSR.