Index

    VMQ (silicone)

    VMQ (often referred to as silicone) is an elastomeric material made from silicone, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. VMQ stands for Vinyl Methyl Quartz but is also described as MVQ. The names VMQ, MVQ, and silicone, all refer to the same material. There are also special types such as FVMQ (fluoro-silicone) and PVMQ (phenyl silicone).

    Silicone is famous for in-home sealing applications, such as silicone kits for kitchens, bathrooms, and windows. That is mostly room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone. The VMQ materials at ERIKS Sealing & Polymer are high-temperature vulcanized (HTV) and Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR).

    Silicones are known for their extreme high-temperature resistance, low-temperature flexibility and good resistance to UV, oxygen, and ozone. A significant advantage of silicones is that they can be filled easily with different additives to create special silicone types with good electrical or thermal conductivity, flame resistance, etc.

    Overall, VMQ mechanical strength is poor compared to carbon rubber (EPDM, NBR, FKM, etc.), resulting in lower tensile strength, lower tear resistance, and lower abrasion resistance. Additionally, the relatively high friction makes VMQ unsuitable for use in dynamic applications unless you have no other choice.

    Back to Material Overview
    VMQ Molecule

    For seals, the typical use of silicone is: 

    • Hot (air) applications, such as oven seals
    • Cold (air) applications, such as cooling/freezer seals
    • Where certifications are needed for food, pharma, and medical uses
    • Where low deformation force is available, for example, in plastic housings

     

    Many silicone compounds have a higher mould shrinkage compared to many carbon elastomers (EPDM, NBR, FKM, etc.). Therefore, production moulds for silicone products are often different compared to other elastomer materials.

    Strengths & Limitations

    Temperature Resistance

    • Low temperatures to -60°C, even to -100°C for special PVMQ types
    • High temperatures: +200°C, even +250°C or +300°C for special types

     

    Chemical & Aging Resistance

    Strengths

    • Hot air aging
    • Ozone, UV, and sunlight-resistant
    • Animal and vegetable fats and oils

     

    Limitations

    • Mineral oils and fats 
    • Strong acids 

    Material Comparison

    • VMQ has better high-temperature resistance
    • VMQ has better low-temperature flexibility
    • VMQ is similar to better UV-Ozone and hot air ageing resistance 

    • VMQ LSR is better for very high volumes, complex detailed shapes, and high tear resistance
    • VMQ LSR is only for injection molding; therefore, it has a much higher tooling cost compared  

    • VMQ exhibits reduced chemical resistance
    • VMQ offers enhanced resistance at lower temperatures
    • The overall cost of VMQ is lower
    • VMQ possesses comparable resistance to high temperatures   

    VMQ Compound Overview

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