Silicone rubber needs to be tested for room temperature applications involving tensile and fatigue loading. That said, silicone rubber is an elastomer that is widely used in industry. It is temperature resistant from -55C to 300C. Silicone can be found in a wide variety of products, including automotive applications; cooking, baking, and food storage products; apparel such as undergarments, sportswear, and footwear; electronics; medical devices and implants; and in home repair and hardware with products such as silicone sealants. Tensile strength, high elongation, tear strength, and compression set and fatigue life are superior to conventional rubber materials. This makes it a good choice in many extreme environments. Compared to organic rubber, however, the tensile and fatigue life require testing to confirm design assumptions.
Applicable Testing Standards
- ASTM D395 Compression of Rubber in Air or Liquid Test Equipment
- ASTM D412 - Tension Testing for Rubber and Elastomers
- ASTM D624 Tear Testing for Rubber and Elastomers
Recommended Test Machine
Forces up to 5 kN (1,125 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Tests at speeds up to 2,500 mm/min (100 in/min)
Best for high travel or high elongation test requirements
Force range of 5 kN to 600 kN (1,125 lbf to 135,000 lbf)
Adjustable test space
The most popular choice for static tension and compression tests
These dual column testers are available in both tabletop and floor standing models
Static and fatigue forces up to 50 kN (11,250 lbf)
Frequency ratings up to 75 Hz
Oil-free, all electric actuator for clean test conditions
Lower purchase, operating, and maintenance costs than hydraulic equivalents
Recommended Testing Accessories
Load ratings from 10 kN to 100 kN (2,250 lbf to 22,500 lbf)
Maximum specimen thicknesses from 16 mm to 22 mm (0.63 in. to 0.87 in.)
Pneumatic actuation eases specimen setup
Self-tightening design
Designed for working with environmental chambers
Utilizes clip-on or adhesive markers to determine gage length
Resolution of 1 micron
Designed for applications that deal with very elastic material, such as rubber
No inherent gage length, allowing it to be used for almost any sized specimen
Maximum travel ratings up to 1,100 mm (43 in)
Adjustable clips allow for gripping onto various specimen thicknesses and materials
Standard temperature range of -155°C to 620°C (-247°F to 1150°F)
Accompanied by a broad set of accessories that are capable of withstanding the heat or cold
PID controlled internal temperature
Mounts directly to the test frame