{"id":19271,"date":"2026-05-28T22:18:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lindemannsilikon.de\/?page_id=19271"},"modified":"2026-05-28T22:18:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:18:41","slug":"silikon-temperaturbestandigkeit-en","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lindemannsilikon.de\/en\/silikon-temperaturbestandigkeit-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Silicone Temperature Resistance: Heat Resistant from -60 \u00b0C to +350 \u00b0C"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Heat-resistant<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Silicone is one of the most temperature-stable elastomers available. Standard silicone (VMQ) is continuously resistant from -50 \u00b0C to +200 \u00b0C and withstands up to +300 \u00b0C for short periods. High-temperature silicone (HTV) reaches +250 \u00b0C continuously and +350 \u00b0C short-term, while phenyl silicone (PVMQ) extends down to -100 \u00b0C in the low-temperature range. Silicone therefore covers a temperature window that no other elastomer comes close to matching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temperature ranges of the main silicone grades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The overview below shows continuous and peak temperatures for the most important silicone grades. These values apply to correctly dimensioned components without additional extreme chemical loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicone grade<\/th>Continuous<\/th>Short-term<\/th>Min. temperature<\/th>Typical application<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
VMQ (standard silicone)<\/td>+200 \u00b0C<\/td>+300 \u00b0C \/ 15 min<\/td>-50 \u00b0C<\/td>Hoses, profiles, seals<\/td><\/tr>
HTV silicone (high-temperature)<\/td>+250 \u00b0C<\/td>+350 \u00b0C \/ 30 min<\/td>-60 \u00b0C<\/td>Engine seals, industrial ovens<\/td><\/tr>
PVMQ (phenyl silicone)<\/td>+200 \u00b0C<\/td>+250 \u00b0C<\/td>-100 \u00b0C<\/td>Aerospace, cryogenics<\/td><\/tr>
FVMQ (fluorosilicone)<\/td>+200 \u00b0C<\/td>+250 \u00b0C<\/td>-55 \u00b0C<\/td>Fuel and oil contact<\/td><\/tr>
LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber)<\/td>+200 \u00b0C<\/td>+250 \u00b0C<\/td>-50 \u00b0C<\/td>Medical, food contact, micro parts<\/td><\/tr>
Specialty silicone (HCR + heat stabilizer)<\/td>+300 \u00b0C<\/td>+380 \u00b0C \/ short<\/td>-50 \u00b0C<\/td>Fire protection, hot air ducts<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What does temperature resistance mean for silicone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Temperature resistance describes the range in which a silicone elastomer retains its mechanical and chemical properties. Two values matter: the continuous service temperature (sustained load over months or years) and the peak temperature (short-term load over minutes to hours). While thermoplastics such as PE or PP lose their shape at just 80 \u00b0C, silicone keeps its elasticity and sealing function up to +200 \u00b0C and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This high temperature resistance is based on the Si-O-Si bond in the polysiloxane backbone. At 450 kJ\/mol, this bond is significantly stronger than the C-C bond of organic polymers (350 kJ\/mol). That is why silicone is thermally far more stable than conventional plastics and rubber materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short-term vs. continuous temperature load<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The distinction between continuous and short-term temperature is critical for component design. A silicone hose in a coffee machine sees 95 \u00b0C as a continuous load – no problem for VMQ. An oven door seal experiences 220 \u00b0C in continuous operation – HTV is required here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuous temperature<\/strong> defines the range in which silicone retains its key properties (tensile strength, compression set, elasticity) over 1,000 to 10,000 hours. Above this limit, gradual oxidative embrittlement sets in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short-term temperature<\/strong> is the upper limit for temporary loads – such as steam sterilization, hot wash cycles or startup peaks in process equipment. Here the load duration is limited to minutes or a few hours before the material is permanently damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicone grades and their temperature ranges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lindemann processes different silicone grades depending on the application. The choice directly affects the maximum temperature and therefore the service life of the component in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VMQ – standard silicone for most applications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

VMQ (vinyl methyl silicone) is the most economical silicone grade. With a continuous temperature range of -50 \u00b0C to +200 \u00b0C, VMQ covers roughly 80% of all industrial silicone applications: sanitary hoses, food processing machinery, pharmaceutical hoses, standard profiles. Lindemann manufactures VMQ products in Shore hardnesses from A 30 to A 80.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HTV silicone – for continuous temperatures above 200 \u00b0C<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HTV (High Temperature Vulcanizing) in this context does not refer to the processing method but to a specially heat-stabilized compound. The addition of iron oxide pigments or cerium compounds significantly increases oxidation stability – HTV silicone withstands +250 \u00b0C continuously. Application areas: engine compartment seals, oven door seals, industrial ovens, hot air hoses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PVMQ – phenyl silicone for low temperatures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PVMQ contains additional phenyl groups on the polysiloxane backbone. These shift the glass transition point from -120 \u00b0C (standard VMQ) to around -135 \u00b0C. As a result, PVMQ remains elastic in practical service down to -100 \u00b0C. Main applications: aerospace, low-temperature logistics, cryogenics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FVMQ – fluorosilicone for oil and fuel contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

FVMQ combines the temperature stability of silicone with the chemical resistance of fluoropolymers. From -55 \u00b0C to +200 \u00b0C, FVMQ resists mineral oils, gasoline, diesel and many solvents – an envelope where standard VMQ fails. Use cases: automotive fuel lines, hydraulic seals, pump diaphragms in chemical processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LSR – liquid silicone rubber for complex injection-molded parts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) is processed by two-component injection molding. Temperature range: -50 \u00b0C to +200 \u00b0C, and up to +250 \u00b0C short-term with special heat stabilizers. LSR enables the highest dimensional accuracy and short cycle times – ideal for medical micro parts, baby products, food-contact molded parts and multi-component composites (LSR on thermoplastic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicone compared with other elastomers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a direct comparison, it becomes clear why silicone is unmatched in high-temperature applications. While EPDM and NBR are often the first choice on cost grounds, both materials fail at continuous temperatures above 150 \u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens when temperature limits are exceeded?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicone does not melt. It is a crosslinked elastomer and behaves fundamentally differently from thermoplastics. When the continuous temperature is exceeded, slow oxidative embrittlement sets in first – the material becomes harder and tensile strength decreases. This becomes visible after weeks to months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above 350 \u00b0C, thermal decomposition of the Si-O bonds begins. The end products are silicon dioxide (SiO\u2082), carbon dioxide and water – all non-toxic. In a fire, silicone leaves behind an insulating SiO\u2082 layer that protects the material beneath. For this reason, silicone is used in fire protection applications and in cable insulation for safety-critical systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications of heat-resistant silicone products<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heat-resistant silicone is needed wherever other elastomers fail thermally or chemically. Typical industrial applications include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n