40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone
40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone is a translucent FDA grade solid silicone sheeting rated at 40 Shore A, designed for high food contact and dairy applications requiring an exceptionally strong, highly extensible, and easily die-cut sealing material. It maintains continuous service from -80°F to 450°F, with intermittent capability to 500°F. The material passes FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and is odorless, tasteless, and non-yellowing.
Key Properties
- Durometer / Hardness (Shore A): 40 ±5 — ASTM D2240
- Tensile Strength: 1100 psi — ASTM D412
- Elongation: 900% — ASTM D412
- Tear Strength: 200 psi — ASTM D624
- Specific Gravity: 1.10 g/cc — ASTM D297
- Service Temperature Range: -80°F to 450°F continuous; 500°F intermittent
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Material / Substrate | Solid Silicone | — |
| Color | Translucent | — |
| Specific Gravity | 1.10 g/cc | ASTM D297 |
| Thickness | 1/32″, 1/16″, 3/32″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 1/2″ | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Durometer / Hardness (Shore A) | 40 ±5 | ASTM D2240 |
| Tensile Strength | 1100 psi | ASTM D412 |
| Elongation | 900% | ASTM D412 |
| Tear Strength | 200 psi | ASTM D624 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Low-Temperature Resistance | -80°F | — |
| High Temperature Resistance | 450°F | — |
| High Intermittent Temperature | 500°F | — |
Environmental Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Ozone Resistance | Excellent | — |
| UV Resistance | Excellent | — |
Regulatory / Compliance Data
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | Pass | — |
- Food contact gaskets and seals in dairy and high food contact processing equipment requiring high tensile and tear performance
- Die-cut sealing components for FDA-regulated environments where physical robustness and flexibility are both required
- Seals and gaskets demanding odorless, tasteless, non-yellowing, and visually inspectable properties
- Flexible sealing elements in food contact assemblies with moderate-to-high physical handling demands
- General-purpose food-grade seals across a broad thermal service range
Common industries: Dairy processing, food processing, food service equipment, pharmaceutical, beverage equipment.
40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone is a soft-to-medium translucent FDA grade solid silicone sheeting at 40 Shore A, delivering an outstanding combination of tensile strength (1100 psi), elongation (900%), and tear resistance (200 psi) that distinguishes it from the lower-durometer grades in the translucent FDA series.
It is formulated for high food contact and dairy sealing environments where the gasket must withstand physical handling and installation stress while maintaining full flexibility and FDA compliance. The translucent appearance, odorless and tasteless properties, and resistance to yellowing support use in hygienic and visually inspected food contact assemblies.
The material exhibits excellent UV and ozone resistance and functions as an effective electrical insulator. It passes FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and is readily fabricated by die-cutting.
Compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 — Pass.
What differentiates 40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone from softer and firmer translucent FDA grades in this series?
40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone delivers significantly higher tensile strength (1100 psi) and tear resistance (200 psi) than the 20 and 30 Shore A grades, while maintaining 900% elongation — among the highest in the series. This combination of mechanical strength and high flexibility makes it the preferred translucent FDA grade where gaskets must withstand physical stress during installation or in-service handling without tearing.
Why is compression set an important consideration for solid silicone elastomers?
Compression set measures how well an elastomer recovers its original thickness after sustained compression. In sealing applications, a material with high compression set will permanently deform over time, reducing sealing force and allowing leak paths to develop. Low compression set is listed as a key feature of this material, indicating it is formulated to maintain sealing integrity over extended service periods.
What is the service temperature range for 40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone?
40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone is rated for continuous service from -80°F to 450°F, with a high intermittent temperature resistance of 500°F, as listed on the TDS.
Is 40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone suitable for food contact and dairy environments?
Yes. This material passes FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and is specifically designed for high food contact and dairy applications. It is odorless, tasteless, and non-yellowing, as stated on the TDS.
How should 40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone be specified?
Specify grade (40 Durometer Translucent FDA Grade Solid Silicone), thickness, compliance requirements, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
