AHD Silicone Sheet is a high-performance industrial material engineered for reliability and versatility. It boasts excellent heat resistance, chemical stability, and flexibility, making it suitable for diverse industrial applications.
As a core product of AHD Polymer—with 31 years of expertise in engineering plastics—this silicone sheet stands out for consistent quality. It is produced via ISO-certified processes, ensuring it meets global industrial standards and delivers long-lasting performance for both standard and custom use cases.
AHD Rubber Silicone Rolls and rods are not only widely used in the electrical and electronics industry but are also a key insulation, sealing, and protective material. Their applications range from basic insulation components to high-precision electronic devices. This is due to their unique physical and chemical properties, which are highly compatible with the stringent requirements of electrical and electronic equipment.
Ⅰ. Applications and Usage of Silicone Rubber Sheet and Rod in the Electrical and Electronics Industry
Silicone sheets and rods are solid products made from silicone materials through molding, extrusion, or injection molding. They are primarily used in applications requiring insulation, sealing, temperature resistance, or protection. Specific applications and usage are as follows:
1. Insulation, Isolation, and Fixing
Applications: Component fixation in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, insulation spacing within high-voltage equipment, support gaskets for motor/transformer windings, and insulation wrapping or sheathing for wires and cables.
Usage: Silicone sheets/rods can be cut into specific shapes (such as gaskets or strips) based on equipment size requirements, or standard sheet/rod stock can be used directly. For example, in high-voltage switchgear, silicone sheets can serve as insulating barriers between live components; after soldering on PCBs, silicone rods can fill gaps to prevent component displacement.
2. Sealing and Protection
Applications: Waterproof and dustproof sealing of electronic components (such as LED drivers and junction boxes for outdoor communication equipment), sealing of battery packs (to prevent electrolyte leakage and external moisture intrusion), and moisture-proof protection of optical devices (such as camera modules).
Usage: Silicone sheets/rods are combined with metal or plastic housings through molding or coating to form a sealed cavity. Alternatively, they can be made into O-rings or sealing gaskets for installation at device interfaces.
3. Thermal Conductivity and Heat Dissipation
Applications: Thermal interface materials (TIMs) for power devices (such as IGBTs and LED chips) facilitate heat transfer from the chip to the heat sink; and thermal protection for 5G base station RF modules.
Usage: Customized high-thermal conductivity silicone sheets/rods (with thermal conductivity coefficients of up to 1-5 W/m·K) are created by adding thermally conductive fillers such as alumina and boron nitride. These sheets/rods are then laminated between heating components and heat sinks, ensuring both insulation and thermal conductivity.
4. Corona and Breakdown Protection
Applications: Insulation wrapping for high-voltage cable terminals, outer protection for high-voltage bushings, and corona-resistant coating substrates for radar/antenna systems.
Usage: Wrapping or wrapping the silicone rod around the surface of a high-voltage conductor leverages its high breakdown voltage (typically ≥20 kV/mm) and corona resistance to prevent partial discharge damage to equipment.
5. Flexible Connection and Cushioning
Applications: Cushioning for vibration-sensitive components in precision instruments (such as hard disk drives and optical sensors), and stress relief for pluggable connectors.
Usage: Leveraging the elasticity of silicone (available in Shore A hardness ranges from 20 to 80), this material can be formed into thin sheets or strips to fill gaps between components and absorb mechanical stress.
AHD Thermal Insulation Silicone Sheet Roll
II. Core Properties of Silicone Rods Suitable for the Electrical and Electronics Industry
Silicone (polysiloxane)'s molecular structure (-Si-O- backbone + organic side groups) imparts the following key properties, making it irreplaceable in the electrical and electronics sector:
1. Excellent Electrical Insulation
Silicone boasts a volume resistivity of 1×10¹⁴–1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm and a breakdown field strength of 20–30 kV/mm (far exceeding the 10–15 kV/mm of common plastics like PVC). Its performance degrades minimally in humid and high-temperature environments. This enables it to reliably isolate live components in high-voltage (e.g., above 10 kV) and high-humidity (e.g., 85% RH outdoors) environments, preventing short circuits and leakage.
2. Wide Temperature Range
Silicone's operating temperature range is -60°C–200°C (some modified varieties can reach 300°C), far exceeding the typical -40°C–125°C operating temperature range for electrical and electronics equipment. For example, in the engine compartment of automotive electronics (high temperature) or polar communication equipment (low temperature), silicone sheets/rods will not crack or harden due to thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining their insulation properties.
3. Weather Resistance and Chemical Stability
Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) bonds have high bond energy (approximately 452 kJ/mol), resisting UV rays, ozone, and chemical corrosion (such as acid, alkali, and salt spray). They resist aging even after long-term exposure to outdoor or industrial environments. This is crucial for seals in outdoor electronic devices (such as photovoltaic inverters and 5G base stations), extending maintenance cycles.
4. Low Shrinkage and Dimensional Stability
Silicone has a shrinkage rate of less than 0.5% after curing (cross-linking), resulting in precise dimensions after molding. This makes it suitable for insulating components in precision electronic devices (such as connector sockets and chip packaging gaskets), avoiding contact problems caused by deformation.
5. Flexibility and Processability
Silicone can be flexibly designed in various hardness (Shore A 10-90) and form (soft/hard) by adjusting its formulation. Soft silicone sheets/rods (such as Shore A 30-50) are used for cushioning and sealing, while hard silicone (Shore A 70-90) is used for structural support, meeting diverse application requirements. Furthermore, its easy cutting and molding properties reduce processing costs.
6. Safety and Environmental Compliance
Silicone is halogen-free and low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), complying with electronics industry standards such as RoHS and REACH. It also produces non-toxic silicon dioxide upon combustion, meeting the safety requirements of medical electronics and food-grade equipment (such as kitchen appliance control panels).
Ⅲ. Production Process
AHD’s Silicone Sheet production follows strict quality control steps to ensure excellence:
Raw Material Selection: High-purity silicone rubber is sourced from trusted suppliers and tested for purity.
Mixing & Compounding: Rubber is mixed with additives (for heat resistance/flame retardancy) in precise ratios.
Calendering: The mixture is rolled into sheets of uniform thickness using automated calenders.
Vulcanization: Sheets are heated in ovens to cure (vulcanize), enhancing elasticity and heat resistance.
Quality Testing: Each batch is tested for thickness, hardness, temperature resistance, and tensile strength.
Cutting & Packaging: Sheets are cut to standard or custom sizes, then packaged in moisture-proof materials for shipping.
Ⅳ. FAQ
Q1: Can the silicone sheet be used in food-contact applications?
A: Yes. AHD’s food-grade silicone sheet option meets FDA standards, making it safe for food processing equipment seals and gaskets.
Q2: What is the lead time for custom silicone sheets?
A: For standard custom sizes (thickness ≤10mm), lead time is 7-12 days.
Q3: How do I store unused silicone sheets?
A: Store in a cool, dry place (10°C-25°C) away from direct sunlight and ozone sources (e.g., electric motors). Avoid stacking heavy objects on top to prevent deformation.
Q4: Does AHD provide samples for testing?
A: Yes. We offer free samples of standard silicone sheets (you only cover shipping costs). Contact us to request samples.
White and Red Silicone Rubber Sheet