Silicone rubber is a versatile elastomer that can be classified by curing method, physical form, chemical structure, and special functions.
1. By Curing Method
RTV Silicone Rubber (Room Temperature Vulcanizing)
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Cures at room temperature without heating.
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RTV-1: One-component, commonly used for sealants and glass bonding.
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RTV-2: Two-component, used for mold making, casting, and electronic potting.
HTV Silicone Rubber (High Temperature Vulcanizing)
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Requires curing at 150–200°C.
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Offers high strength and excellent durability.
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Used in automotive seals, insulators, wires, and industrial components.
2. By Physical Form
HCR (High Consistency Rubber)
LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber)
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Two-component liquid system.
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High purity, transparency, and fast curing.
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Widely used in medical devices, baby products, and wearables.
3. By Chemical Structure
MQ (Methyl Silicone Rubber)
MVQ (Methyl Vinyl Silicone Rubber)
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Most widely used type.
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Excellent balance of performance and cost.
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Good UV, ozone, and aging resistance.
PVMQ (Phenyl Silicone Rubber)
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Superior low-temperature performance.
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Some grades remain flexible below -100°C.
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Common in aerospace and extreme environments.
4. By Special Function
Medical Grade Silicone Rubber
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Biocompatible and sterilization resistant.
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Used in implants, tubing, and medical devices.
Food Grade Silicone Rubber
Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ)
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Excellent resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents.
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Used in automotive and aerospace systems.
Conductive Silicone Rubber
Thermally Conductive Silicone Rubber (TCSR)
Sponge/Foam Silicone Rubber
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Lightweight with cushioning and sealing properties.
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Used for insulation, sealing, and vibration damping.
Summary
The most common silicone rubber types are RTV, HTV, HCR, LSR, MVQ, PVMQ, medical-grade, food-grade, fluorosilicone, conductive, and thermally conductive silicone rubber. Each type is designed for specific applications ranging from consumer products and electronics to automotive, medical, and aerospace industries.