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Polyurethane vs Silicone for O-Rings and Seals

Polyurethane (PU, TPU)

Silicone (VMQ, SIL)

Description
 Both materials are well suited for use in the -23 to 66°C range. Silicone has an advantage in lower temperatures and Silicone has an advantage in higher temperatures. Marco offers specific compound formulations extending these ranges even futher as can be seen in the following compound comparison chart. When comparing these materials with respect to electrical current resistance, Silicone has a slight advantage. The differences in compression set resistence show that Silicone has a significant advantage. Additionally, Silicone has a significant advantage when considering wear resistance. Also, Silicone has a significant advantage when comparing heat stability. Furthermore, Polyurethane has a significant advantage when comparing short term resilience. Finally, Polyurethane has a significant advantage when evaluating differences in permeation resilience. Both materials are resistant to ozone, greases, weathering and sunlight, silicone oils, oxygen and brake fluids, with Polyurethane having specific resistences to common fuels, mineral oils, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aging, hydraulic fluids, water, tear, silicone greases, some petroleum oils and some hydrocarbon fuels. Silicone has specific resistence to compression set, vegetable oils, animal oils, fungal growth, ketones, dry heat, wide temperature range, non-toxic and odorless.
Compounds
Marco
Compound
Number		DatasheetHardness
(Shore A)		ColorLow TempHigh TempFeatures
Compound: P1000Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Yellow translucentLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
250 °F
(125 °C)
Description: High performance 70 durometer Polyurethane
Compound: P1001Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 90Color: Yellow translucentLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
250 °F
(125 °C)
Description: High performance 90 durometer Polyurethane
Compound: P1004Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 90Color: TranslucentLow Temp:
-30 °F
(-35 °C)
High Temp:
180 °F
(85 °C)
Description: General purpose 90 durometer Polyurethane
Compound: P1006Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: TranslucentLow Temp:
-30 °F
(-35 °C)
High Temp:
180 °F
(85 °C)
Description: General purpose 70 durometer Polyurethane
Compound: S1000Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: General purpose and FDA compliant Silicone per 21 CFR 177.2600   (available in nearly any color and durometer)
Compound: S1001Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Compound: S1004Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 40Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: General purpose softer than standard Silicone to seal rough or warped glands and or low closure force applications
Compound: S1015Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
600 °F
(320 °C)
Description: Higher temperature resistant Silicone
Compound: S1020Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Clear-translucentLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: Clear-Translucent and FDA compliant Silicone per 21 CFR 177.2600
Compound: S1032Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: YellowLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Compound: S1037Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Clear-translucentLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: Medical Grade USP Class VI and FDA compliant Silicone, Platinium Cured, Clean Room Manufactured
Compound: S1043Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 50Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-105 °F
(-75 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: Lower temperature resistant Silicone
Compound: S1081Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 65Color: Dark grayLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
350 °F
(180 °C)
Description: EMI RFI Shielding Nickel Coated Graphite filled Silicone, Volume Resistivity 0.10 ohm-cm
Compound: S1083Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Clear-translucentLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: Medical Grade USP Class VI and FDA compliant Silicone, Platinium Cured, Commercial Manufactured
Compound: S1146Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: WhiteLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
480 °F
(250 °C)
Description: Medical Grade USP Class VI and FDA compliant Silicone, Platinium Cured, Commercial Manufactured
Compound: S1184Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: RedLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Compound: S1206Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 80Color: Low Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Temperature Range Comparison
Box: Base Material Family Range
Whiskers: Specialty Compounds
General Information
Full Name
Polyurethane:
Polyurethane (PU, TPU)
Silicone:
Silicone (VMQ, SIL)
Short Name
Polyurethane:
Polyurethane
Silicone:
Silicone
Common Names
Polyurethane:
Urethane, AU, EU, PU
Silicone:
Silicone, VMQ, PVMQ
Mechanical Properties
Specialty Resistances
Brake Fluids
Brake Fluids
Greases
Greases
Oxygen
Oxygen
Ozone
Ozone
Silicone Oils
Silicone Oils
Weathering And Sunlight
Weathering And Sunlight
Some Hydrocarbon Fuels
Odorless
Some Petroleum Oils
Non-toxic
Silicone Greases
Wide Temperature Range
Tear
Dry Heat
Water
Ketones
Hydraulic Fluids
Fungal Growth
Aging
Animal Oils
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Vegetable Oils
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Compression Set
Mineral Oils
Common Fuels
Specialty Resistances
Polyurethane
Some Hydrocarbon Fuels
Some Petroleum Oils
Silicone Greases
Tear
Water
Hydraulic Fluids
Aging
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Mineral Oils
Common Fuels
Silicone
Odorless
Non-toxic
Wide Temperature Range
Dry Heat
Ketones
Fungal Growth
Animal Oils
Vegetable Oils
Compression Set
Brands
Vibrathane®
Thermoflex®
Millathane®
Elastosil®
Adiprene®
Silastic®
Brands
Polyurethane
Vibrathane®
Millathane®
Adiprene®
Silicone
Thermoflex®
Elastosil®
Silastic®
Limitations
Acids
Acids
Alkalis
Alkalis
Steam
Steam
Hot Water
Diluted Sodium Hydroxide
Alcohols
High Gas Permeability
Ethers
Dynamic Applications
Glycols
Aromatic Mineral Oils
Esters
Concentrated Solvents
Amines
Concentrated Acids
Ketones
Hydrocarbon Fuels
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Limitations
Polyurethane
Hot Water
Alcohols
Ethers
Glycols
Esters
Amines
Ketones
Silicone
Diluted Sodium Hydroxide
High Gas Permeability
Dynamic Applications
Aromatic Mineral Oils
Concentrated Solvents
Concentrated Acids
Hydrocarbon Fuels
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Marco Rubber & Plastics is an industry leader in custom sealing solutions that go beyond the limits of catalog commodities. Since 1980, our solutions have delivered reliable, long-lasting success for customers worldwide. We offer the largest inventory of specialty and standard sealing solutions backed by best-in-class technology, service and support.
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