Heat can quickly destroy the wrong rubber, leading to leaks, failures, and costly replacements. To ensure safety and long-lasting performance, choosing the best heat-resistant rubber is essential.
Silicone and FKM (Viton®) are the best rubbers for heat resistance. Silicone handles continuous temperatures up to +230°C, while Viton® offers excellent heat and chemical resistance up to +230°C and beyond.
As a supplier for many high-temperature applications in automotive and industrial sectors, I help clients choose the right rubber for each project. Let me share the facts you need.
How Does Silicone Rubber Perform Under Heat?
Silicone rubber stands out for its ability to resist high temperatures while remaining flexible and stable. I remember an industrial customer who switched to silicone seals for baking equipment. The performance improvement was dramatic, with seals lasting far longer than with previous materials.
Silicone rubber resists continuous temperatures up to +230°C, with brief exposure possible up to +250°C. It stays flexible and does not crack or degrade quickly, making it ideal for demanding thermal applications.
Silicone Rubber: Key Properties
| Property | Silicone Rubber |
|---|---|
| Max Continuous Temp1 | +230°C ✅ |
| Max Intermittent Temp | +250°C |
| Flexibility2 | ✅ Excellent |
| Chemical Resistance3 | ✅ Good |
| Cost | Higher |
Applications include:
- Oven seals and gaskets4
- Automotive engine and exhaust components5
- Medical and food processing equipment
How Does FKM (Viton®) Compare for Heat Resistance?
FKM (Viton®) is a high-performance fluorocarbon rubber designed for both extreme heat and aggressive chemical environments. I often recommend Viton® for automotive, aerospace, and chemical industries where both heat and chemical resistance are essential.
FKM (Viton®) performs well in continuous temperatures up to +230°C, with resistance to oils, fuels, and harsh chemicals that would destroy ordinary rubber.
FKM (Viton®) Rubber: Key Properties
| Property | FKM (Viton®) |
|---|---|
| Max Continuous Temp1 | +230°C ✅ |
| Max Intermittent Temp | +250°C |
| Oil & Chemical Resistance6 | ✅ Excellent |
| Flexibility2 | ✅ Very Good |
| Cost | Highest |
Applications include:
- Automotive and aircraft fuel systems
- Chemical processing seals
- High-temperature industrial gaskets
How Does EPDM Rubber Rate for Heat Resistance?
EPDM is an excellent general-purpose rubber for moderate heat, but it cannot match silicone or Viton® at the extreme end.
| Rubber Type | Max Continuous Temp1 |
|---|---|
| EPDM7 | +150°C |
| Silicone8 | +230°C |
| FKM (Viton®)9 | +230°C |
| Nitrile (NBR)10 | +120°C |
| Natural Rubber11 | +85°C |
EPDM is still widely used for automotive cooling systems, HVAC, and outdoor seals because it balances heat resistance with UV and weather stability.
How to Choose the Best Heat-Resistant Rubber for Your Application?
Selecting the right rubber depends on your specific needs:
| Application Requirement | Best Rubber |
|---|---|
| Highest heat resistance12 | Silicone, FKM ✅ |
| Heat + chemical/oil resistance13 | FKM (Viton®) ✅ |
| Weather, ozone, moderate heat | EPDM ✅ |
| Budget-friendly, moderate heat | EPDM, NBR |
- For continuous exposure above +150°C, choose silicone or Viton®.
- For both heat and oil/chemical exposure, Viton® is the top choice.
- For lower cost, EPDM is suitable for up to +150°C.
Practical Example
A client running industrial ovens needed gaskets that would not fail at 220°C. We supplied silicone rubber seals, which outperformed their old EPDM ones, reducing unscheduled downtime and maintenance costs.
Conclusion
Silicone and FKM (Viton®) are the best rubbers for heat resistance, excelling in temperatures up to +230°C. Always match the rubber material to your specific heat, chemical, and application requirements for maximum reliability.
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This resource provides detailed insights into the maximum continuous temperatures for various rubber types, helping you make informed choices. ↩ ↩ ↩
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Understanding flexibility in rubber can help you choose the right material for your specific application needs. ↩ ↩
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Explore this resource to understand various rubber materials' chemical resistance, helping you make informed choices for your projects. ↩
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Explore this link to discover the ideal materials for oven seals and gaskets, ensuring durability and heat resistance. ↩
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Explore this link to discover the most suitable materials for automotive applications, ensuring durability and performance. ↩
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Learn about the differences in oil and chemical resistance among rubber types to select the best material for your needs. ↩
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Explore this link to understand EPDM's unique properties and its ideal applications in various industries. ↩
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Explore this link to understand silicone's unique properties and its diverse applications in extreme heat scenarios. ↩
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Explore this resource to understand FKM's unique properties and its critical applications in high-performance industries. ↩
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Explore this link to understand Nitrile's unique properties and applications, especially in oil and fuel resistance. ↩
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Explore this link to understand Natural Rubber's unique properties and its diverse applications in various industries. ↩
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Find out which rubber materials provide the highest heat resistance, crucial for applications in extreme environments. ↩
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Explore this link to discover the top rubber materials that excel in both heat and chemical resistance, ensuring optimal performance. ↩
