Rubber vs Silicone Gasket: Which Is Best?
When you're designing a system that depends on reliable sealing, choosing the right material matters — especially when the decision comes down to a rubber vs silicone gasket. While both materials have their place in manufacturing and OEM applications, they perform differently under pressure, heat, and chemical exposure.
In this guide, we'll break down the differences between silicone gaskets vs rubber, looking at performance, cost, and ideal use cases. If you're an engineer or buyer wondering which one is best for your application, we've got the clarity you need.
In this article:
Rubber vs Silicone: A Quick Overview
Properties of Silicone Gaskets
Head-to-Head Comparison: Silicone vs Rubber Gasket
Rubber vs Silicone Gasket: Need Help Deciding?
Rubber vs Silicone: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the details, here’s a high-level comparison:
|
Property |
Rubber Gaskets |
Silicone Gaskets |
|
Max Temp (continuous) |
~120°C (248°F) |
~200–230°C (392–446°F) |
|
Chemical Resistance |
Varies by compound |
Excellent (non-polar) |
|
UV/Ozone Resistance |
Moderate |
Excellent |
|
Flexibility |
Good |
Excellent (especially at low temps) |
|
Cost |
Lower |
Higher |
|
Certifications (FDA, etc.) |
Limited |
Broad (esp. platinum-cured) |
Let’s look closer at how each one performs...
Properties of Rubber Gaskets
When people say "rubber gaskets," they’re usually referring to general-purpose elastomers like EPDM, nitrile (Buna-N), or neoprene. These materials are popular because they’re durable, cost-effective, and easy to source.
Key Strengths:
-
Good compression and resilience
-
Cost-effective for medium-temperature environments
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Excellent resistance to water, alcohols, and some mild chemicals
-
Ideal for automotive, HVAC, and low- to mid-temp industrial systems
Limitations:
-
Lower maximum temperature range (~100–120°C for most compounds)
-
Limited UV and ozone resistance unless additives are used
-
Not suitable for medical or food-grade applications without specialty formulation
Need help deciding which rubber material is best for your needs? Check out our Rubber Gasket Materials Guide.
Properties of Silicone Gaskets
Silicone gaskets are known for their heat tolerance, flexibility, and inert chemical nature. They’re often used in sensitive applications where cleanliness, temperature stability, and environmental resistance are critical.
Key Strengths:
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Exceptional heat resistance, with some grades handling up to 230°C continuously
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Highly flexible, even in low temperatures down to –60°C
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Inert and non-toxic — ideal for medical, pharmaceutical, and food processing
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Excellent UV, ozone, and weather resistance
Limitations:
-
More expensive than traditional rubber
-
Lower tensile strength than many other elastomers
-
Less resistance to certain solvents, fuels, or oils compared to nitrile or fluorocarbon
Silicone is available in many grades — including platinum-cured silicone for FDA compliance, or high-consistency rubber (HCR) for custom-molded parts.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Silicone vs Rubber Gasket
Durability & Resilience
-
Rubber offers great tear resistance and strength for mechanical systems.
-
Silicone excels in environments with thermal cycling and vibration, thanks to its flexibility and recovery.
Chemical Compatibility
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Rubber materials like nitrile are better for fuels and oils.
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Silicone handles alcohols, acids, and oxygen-rich or sterilized environments.
Environmental Exposure
-
Rubber (unless specially formulated) degrades with UV and ozone.
-
Silicone is naturally resistant to weathering and sunlight — great for outdoor applications.
Practical Examples
When Rubber Gaskets Are the Better Choice:
-
HVAC systems and ductwork that don’t face extreme heat or harsh chemicals
-
Automotive applications involving fuels (use nitrile or FKM)
-
Pumps or compressors needing abrasion resistance
For example, HVAC clients often prefer EPDM rubber gaskets for their air duct sealing systems. See how gaskets and insulation play a role in HVAC performance and energy efficiency.
When Silicone Gaskets Are the Better Choice:
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Food-grade or medical applications requiring FDA/NSF-certified materials
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High-temperature equipment like ovens, sterilizers, or heating systems
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Outdoor electrical enclosures exposed to sunlight and moisture
Silicone is also commonly used in gasketing for gas fireplaces, especially where heat, UV, and aesthetic flexibility are important. Learn more in our blog on gas fireplace gaskets and insulation solutions.
So… Silicone or Rubber?
If you’re weighing the pros and cons of a rubber vs silicone gasket, here’s a quick way to decide:
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Choose rubber if you're dealing with oils, fuels, lower temperatures, or need a cost-effective solution.
-
Choose silicone if you need high heat resistance, FDA compliance, weather exposure durability, or flexibility across temperature extremes.
But in some cases, it’s not either/or. You might need a custom gasket that combines the benefits of both — or a completely different elastomer altogether. When off-the-shelf options don’t cut it, we can help.
Here’s when custom gaskets are the right move.
Rubber vs Silicone Gasket: Need Help Deciding?
Choosing the right gasket material, whether it be rubber vs silicone or another material, is critical to long-term performance, especially in high-stakes or regulated environments. If you’re still unsure which is best for your application, let us help you make the right call.
Call us at (905) 564-0807
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