Silicone sponge products are one of the core product groups of Stockwell Elastomerics, Inc. Stockwell Elastomerics inventories and
fabricates the full product line of Saint-Gobain Cohrlastic® closed cell silicone sponge materials, including products
with low compression set properties, UL94HB flame ratings, thermal conductivity, fluid and fuel resistant
fluorosilicone and general purpose silicones. Stockwell Elastomerics applies a variety of pressure sensitive acrylic and
silicone polymer based adhesive backings and regularly apply a conductive silicone based surface coating
for ESD protection.
Silicone sponge and silicone rubber sheet is readily fabricated into silicone sponge gaskets and cushioning pads.
Fabricating processes include die cutting, adhesive lamination, slitting to width, water jet cutting
of prototypes and production components and large bonded pads for the protection of aerospace hardware.
 Closed Cell Silicone Sponges
Silicone Materials Selection Guide <<< Updated for 2010!
Silicone gaskets and silicone tapes are available in slit-to-width rolls from silicone sponge products
ranging from .032" to .188" thick. Silicone sponge gasketing with unsupported transfer film adhesives
allow for the installer to 'make corners' and tight bend radii with a continuous roll of gasketing.
Silicone sponge gasketing with film supported adhesives provide dimensional stability, preventing over
stretching where gasket installation has to be precise.
Silicone Sponge or Silicone Foam? What is the difference?
Silicone sponge, or closed cell silicone sponge, is derived from a thin sheet of uncured silicone gum,
and it expands while curing in a high temperature press or rotocure operation. Closed cell means that
the cells are non-interconnecting, therefore not allowing water or air to wick through the sponge at
low pressures. Generally, the superior mechanical properties of closed cell silicone sponge provide
better weatherproofing. One downside of the gum closed cell silicone sponge products is the inability
to achieve flame ratings beyond UL94HB.
Silicone foam is normally considered to be an open cell, lightweight product that is derived from liquid
silicone ingredients that are cast onto a liner and cured in an oven. Air and moisture can pass through
low density open cell silicone foam unless the design allows for extensive deflection of the gasket.
Higher density silicone foams have been developed in recent years that permit good weather sealing with
medium and firm density silicone foam products. These higher density silicone foam products are actually
composed of many closed cells. One major benefit of the liquid silicone foam chemistry is its
flame-retardant properties, with many products meeting the UL94V0 rating.
Why Use Silicone Sponge Rubber?
Silicone sponge rubber has the combined properties of resilience, high temperature stability and
general inertness unavailable in any other closed cell sponge gasketing material. Silicones are
generally unaffected by extended exposure to temperature extremes from -100°F to 500°F, and are also
unaffected by aging and degradation from sunlight and ozone.
Specifications met by Silicone Sponge Materials
Many silicone sponge materials meet AMS3195, AMS3196, Mil-R-46089, Mil-R-6130C and ASTM D6576. Due to the
chemistry and structure of gum based closed cell silicone sponge products, the best flame rating available
is UL94HB, see our Silicone Foam products if UL94V0 is required for your product.
Silicon Sponge or Silicone Sponge?
Although silicon sponge or silicon is called out frequently called out on prints, silicone sponge is the widely accepted terminology used in the rubber industry.
Contact Stockwell Elastomerics, Inc. for Silicone Sponge
Contact Us for further assistance with silicone sponge gaskets and other silicone sponge rubber products.
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