A Complete Guide to Steam Resistant Silicone Rubber
What is Steam Resistant Silicone Rubber?
Steam resistant silicone rubber is a specialised variant of silicone designed to withstand prolonged exposure to steam and high humidity environments without compromising its mechanical or chemical properties. Unlike standard silicone, which may degrade under continuous steam exposure, this type of rubber is formulated with enhanced resistance to hydrothermal aging. This helps maintain its integrity in both high-pressure and saturated steam conditions.
This material retains the core benefits of silicone rubber, such as flexibility and thermal stability, while offering superior durability in wet, high-temperature environments. Its unique properties make it ideal for applications that require long-term reliability under steam exposure, including industrial, medical and food-grade applications.
Appearance
Initially translucent but can be pigmented to any RAL colour.
Tear Strength
Resistance
to tearing of 24N/mm.
Density
Formulated
for a density of 1.18 g/cm3.
Hardness
Available
with a 70ᵒ Shore A hardness.
Tensile Strength
Tensile
strength of 10.0N/mm2.
Elongation at Break
Flexibility
of 380% without breaking.
Temperature Range
Operates
effectively between 50°C and 300°C.
Rebound Resilience
Recovery
from deformation of 53%.
Understand how steam resistant silicone is formulated, its benefits over general purpose silicone and common applications within the industry.
How is Steam Resistant Silicone Rubber Made?
The production of steam resistant silicone rubber follows a similar process to that of standard silicone rubber, with additional modifications to enhance its resistance to steam and moisture.
The process begins with the synthesis of the silicone polymer, typically polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which forms the backbone of the material. Reinforcing fillers, such as fumed silica, are added to improve mechanical strength and stability. The key distinction in manufacturing steam resistant silicone lies in the use of specialised additives and curing agents. These components enhance the materials ability to resist hydrolytic degradation and swelling caused by prolonged steam exposure.
During vulcanisation, cross-linking agents such as platinum-based catalysts or other advanced systems are used to create a dense durable polymer network. This ensures the material retains its properties even under high-pressure steam. The final product undergoes rigorous testing for steam resistance, thermal stability and mechanical performance to meet industry-specific standards.

Advantages of Steam Resistant Silicone Rubber
Steam resistant silicone offers several distinct advantages that make it suitable for demanding applications. Its primary benefit is its ability to withstand prolonged exposure to high-pressure steam and elevated humidity without degradation. This durability reduces the need for frequent replacements which help improve efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
The material also retains excellent thermal stability, operating effectively over a wide temperature range, often from -60°C to 200°C or higher. It resists hydrolytic aging, preventing swelling, softening or cracking that might occur with standard silicone rubbers in similar conditions.
In addition to steam resistance, this material maintains its flexibility and elasticity. This ensures reliable performance in dynamic sealing or movement-intensive applications. It is also chemically resistant helping provide durability against exposure to oils, chemicals and cleaning agents commonly used in industrial and food-grade settings.

This steam resistant compound can be formulated to meet food-grade and medical-grade standards. This makes it a safe and reliable choice for applications requiring direct contact with consumables or bodily fluids.
Common Applications and Uses
Steam resistant silicone rubber is utilised across various industries due to its unique combination of properties. Below are some key application areas:
Industries

Food and Beverage
In the food and beverage industry, this material is often employed in applications requiring frequent steam cleaning or exposure to boiling conditions. It is used in food-grade hoses, rubber seals and gaskets for machinery and equipment involved in food processing and packaging. Its compliance with FDA and other safety standards ensures it meets health and safety regulations.

Medical, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
The medical and pharmaceutical industries rely on steam resistant silicone for components such as sterilisable tubing, seals and membranes. Its ability to withstand repeated autoclaving cycles without degradation ensures that medical devices and equipment maintain sterility and functionality over time.

Industrial
In industrial applications, steam resistant silicone rubber is used in rubber seals, gaskets and hoses for equipment operating in steam-heavy environments. Its resistance to hydrothermal aging makes it a reliable choice for autoclaves, steam valves and boilers. The material ensures a long service life even in high-pressure and high-temperature systems.
Material Compound Datasheets
Steam resistant silicone can be extruded in a range of different hardnesses, each suitable for different applications. The properties and characteristics of these hardnesses may differ. Please see the downloadable PDF material compound datasheets for this information.
Looking for a different grade of Silicone?
In addition to steam resistant Silicone, we are also able to manufacture rubber sealing products in a selection of other Silicone compounds. This includes general purpose silicone, metal detectable silicone, high temperature silicone and flame retardant silicone.
Contact Us
With over 50 years' experience in the rubber sealing industry, our team has extensive experience in finding sealing solutions for our customers. Contact our experts via phone or email for sealing advice or bespoke quotations.
Email:
sales@sealsplusdirect.co.uk
Telephone:
01425 617722