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Solid Silicone Gaskets
Solid silicone gaskets are generally die cut or waterjet cut from sheet goods. The hardness of solid silicone gaskets are called out in durometer on the Shore A scale ranging from 10 - 70 durometer. Solid gaskets are very firm in comparison to silicone foam or silicone sponge gaskets. Solid gaskets in the mid to higher durometers require good closure force and are more commonly used on metal closures (as compared to plastic). Stockwell can also injection mold or compression mold solid silicone gaskets. Molded seals with round cross-sections are often required for improved sealing integrity for water submersion requirements.

Sponge Silicone Gaskets
Sponge silicone gaskets are soft in comparison to solid silicone gaskets, though there is some cross-over at the low durometer solids and the firm grades of silicone sponge. The closed cell structure make silicone sponge an excellent product for environmental seals such as NEMA 4 and IP-65. Silicone by nature performs well under UV and is mechanically stable over a broad temperature range, often considered for high temperature gaskets and low temperature gaskets. The firmness of silicone sponges is commonly defined by compression force deflection in a psi (pounds per square inch) range compressed 25%. 2 to 5 psi compression force deflection is considered soft, whereas 14 to 20 psi is considered firm.

Foam Silicone Gaskets
Foam silicone gaskets are closely related to silicone sponge gaskets, the difference is how the products are made. Silicone foam products can range in cell structure from very open cell to mostly closed cell. The open celled silicone products can be used for dust seals or shock/vibration gaskets. The mostly closed celled silicone foam gaskets can be used for environmental seals. Gaskets made from Silicone foam would be considered to be high temperature gaskets and low temperature gaskets due to silicone's mechanical stability in temperature extremes. Silicone is also very stable by nature under UV. The Bisco™ silicone foams are certified by Underwriter Laboratories to have a flame rating of UL94-V0 making them an excellent choice for electrical enclosure gaskets.

Injection Molded Silicone Gaskets
Molded seals with round cross-sections are often required for improved sealing integrity for water submersion requirements. Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) enables very small cross sections, down to .030" to be molded in durometers from 10 to 70 Shore A. With injection molded liquid silicone rubber, parting line flash can be reduced to ensure sealing integrity. Contact us about our new helpful kit of O-ring cross sections to assist in designing enclosure seals.