Elastomerics Blog

Stockwell Elastomerics inventories significant quantities of silicone rubber and manufactures parts like custom seals, pads, and gaskets. The difference between consumer grade and special grade silicone isn’t just about whether finished products are intended for consumer or non-consumer use. There are other important differences between consumer grade and specialty grade silicones, and these differences affect lead times and minimum order quantities (MOQs).

General Purpose Silicones and Regulatory Requirements

General Purpose Silicones have become more popular as a materials option for household products and can be found in everything from baking mats and to gym equipment to makeup applicators and automotive gaskets. Consumer-grade silicones are designed for general-purpose use, which can cover both consumer and non-consumer applications. Moreover, they may contain additives or processing aids that don’t meet regulatory requirements such as 21 CFR 177.2600 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specialty-grade silicones, which include food grade silicone rubber, are formulated to meet stringent requirements such as 21 CFR 177.2600, which covers rubber articles used repeatedly with food. These silicones can be used with commercial food processing equipment that may perform up to a hundred cycles an hour.

There are many types of specialty grade silicones, that may be utilized in various technology sector applications. For example, medical grade silicone rubbers that meets USP Class VI requirements are safe for short-term skin contact. Because they won’t leach harmful chemicals, these elastomers are used in products such as blood pressure monitors which are in cyclical contact with a patient.

Consumer vs. Non-Consumer Applications

Specialty grade silicones are not sold directly to consumers. Examples include Stockwell Elastomerics gasket tape, which is made of specialty grade silicones from Rogers Corporation or Saint-Gobain. Gasket tape is a stocked off-the-shelf item, but it has a wider operating temperature range and higher tear-resistance than the pre-packaged weatherstripping that homeowners buy from Big Box stores. The minimum order quantities (MOQs) for gasket tape are also higher because these products are made of specialized materials.

How Stockwell Elastomerics Seals with Silicone     

Stockwell Elastomerics specializes in manufacturing silicone products for industrial applications such as electrical and electronic enclosures that require dust sealing and sometimes water sealing. Our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility also produces parts like seals and gaskets for food processing equipment and medical devices.

Stockwell Elastomerics inventories significant amounts of specialty grade solid silicone sheet, silicone foam, and silicone sponge and fabricates them into ready-to-install products. The lead times are longer and the MOQs are higher than for off-the-shelf consumer grade items, but raw materials and finished products are Made in USA with some small exceptions on the raw materials side

For further help determining whether a specialty grade silicone is suitable for your application, please contact our Applications Engineering team through service@stockwell.com or 215-335-3005.