Solid silicone rubber, academically known as high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (HTV), is the oldest and most widely used variety in the silicone rubber family. Its birth can be traced back to the 1940s, when the urgent demand for high-temperature sealing materials during World War II gave rise to the early development of this material. After more than 80 years of evolution, solid silicone rubber has evolved from a single formula to a vast system covering dozens of varieties such as universal, high-temperature resistant, oil resistant, conductive, and flame-retardant, becoming an irreplaceable basic elastic material in modern industry.

From a chemical perspective, solid silicone rubber is based on high molecular weight polyorganosiloxane as the raw rubber matrix, typically using methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ) as the base polymer, white carbon black as the reinforcing filler, peroxides or platinum compounds as vulcanizing agents, and various additives such as structural control agents, delay agents, and coloring agents. The final product is obtained through three major processes: mixing, molding, and vulcanization. Unlike the two-component ready to use liquid silicone rubber, solid silicone rubber is in a solid or paste state at room temperature and requires mechanical processing and heating vulcanization to impart final properties. This characteristic determines that it has unparalleled advantages in processing flexibility and product form diversity compared to liquid silicone rubber.

The most prominent performance feature of solid silicone rubber is its excellent temperature resistance. Universal products can be used for a long time in the range of minus 60 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius, and special formulas can even withstand extreme high temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius. At the same time, they can maintain good elasticity and flexibility in low temperature environments, and will not harden or crack like ordinary rubber in cold. This wide temperature range adaptability makes it the preferred sealing material for extreme environments such as aerospace, oil exploration, and polar equipment. In addition, solid silicone rubber has excellent weather resistance and UV resistance, and will not significantly age, pulverize or discolor even after years of outdoor exposure, which is completely unmatched by ordinary organic rubber.

In terms of electrical performance, solid silicone rubber also performs well. It has a volume resistivity of up to 10 ¹⁴Ω· cm, a low and stable dielectric constant, and low dielectric loss, making it an ideal material for high-voltage insulation, cable accessories, and power equipment sealing. Especially in the field of ultra-high voltage transmission, solid silicone rubber composite insulators have almost completely replaced traditional ceramic insulators and become the standard configuration for power grid construction.

Solid silicone rubber also has an often overlooked advantage: its formula adjustment space is extremely large. By changing the type of raw rubber, the type and amount of fillers, the vulcanization system, and the combination of additives, performance indicators such as hardness, strength, elasticity, oil resistance, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity can be controlled within a wide range. The Shore hardness can range from extremely soft ten degrees to extremely hard eighty degrees, and the tensile strength can be increased from two megapascals to over ten megapascals. This "universal blending" feature allows solid silicone rubber to adapt to almost all elastic applications, from soft sealing rings to rigid structural components.

Regarding liquid silicone rubber, please refer to our website for details: IOTA Liquid Silicone Rubber