What’s the Difference
When people talk about “rubber profiles” in the context of sealing profiles, they often mean the family of flexible materials such as EPDM, NBR, or silicone. They may look similar at first, but their properties and best use cases can differ significantly. Understanding those differences helps ensure your profiles last longer and perform better.
Silicone is technically a type of synthetic rubber, with a structure that differs from conventional organic and synthetic (black) rubbers. Its polymer backbone is made up of silicon and oxygen, with carbon and hydrogen present in the organic groups attached to it. This distinctive structure gives silicone rubber a combination of properties that sets it apart from many other elastomers.
That’s why you’ll often see the term silicone rubber. It refers to silicone in its elastomeric form, as opposed to silicone oils or resins used in other applications. Silicone rubber remains flexible across a wide temperature range and has excellent resistance to UV, ozone, weathering and ageing. Compared with many conventional rubbers, it can retain its flexibility and performance for a long service life.
Performance That Withstands the Extremes
What makes silicone rubber stand out is its stability. It stays elastic at temperatures from around –80 °C up to +300 °C, tolerating even higher peaks for short periods. UV light, ozone, and moisture have little effect on it, which is why silicone profiles are often chosen for outdoor, hygienic, or high-temperature applications.
Silicone is also the material of choice when fire safety is non-negotiable. Our own Fire X silicone rubber profiles are designed for demanding environments such as public transport and industrial equipment, where certified flame resistance and long-term performance are critical.
Traditional rubbers such as EPDM perform well in many standard sealing and insulation tasks, but they have their limits. EPDM, for example, can handle weather exposure but not high heat. In other words, each material has its place; the choice depends on what kind of environment the profile must endure.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Application
If your product needs to withstand constant temperature fluctuations, outdoor exposure, or stringent hygiene standards, silicone rubber is often the safest bet. It offers exceptional durability, a clean surface, and excellent color stability qualities that make it popular in sectors ranging from construction and lighting to medical and food technology.
For projects where cost-efficiency or fuel resistance matter more than extreme temperature tolerance, other rubbers or thermoplastic elastomers can be the smarter choice. Materials such as TPE and TPV combine the flexibility of rubber with the processing advantages and recyclability of plastics, making them well-suited for modern, sustainable product design.
High-Performance Profiles, Made to Measure
At V.A.V. Group, we manufacture silicone rubber, TPE, and TPV profiles tailored precisely to your needs, from small production batches to medium-scale deliveries. Our materials are chosen for their reliability, long life, and consistent quality, ensuring that every profile we deliver is ready to perform from day one.
Looking for the right material for your next project? Our experts are happy to help you find the ideal balance between performance, durability, and cost.
