Silicone is a prised polymer that serves numerous purposes. Popular applications include acting as a key component in home appliances and closing troublesome gaps in household fixtures. Despite its importance, many people wonder: is silicone oil resistant?

An oil-resistant sealant is vital to preventing damage to sealants caused by exposure to harmful oils and substances. However, the right oil-resistant product can be difficult to find. So, is RTV silicone oil-resistant, and what should you know about oil-resistant silicone?

What is RTV Silicone?

Room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone is a liquid silicone sealant that forms a flexible rubber once it cures at room temperature. This sealant is available as a one- or two-component product.

RTV silicone sealants are essential for many applications, such as an RTV silicone gasket maker for the automotive industry. Because of the potential for oil exposure in such environments, choosing maximum oil resistance RTV is vital.

What Oils is Silicone Resistant To?

Silicone is resistant to several types of oil, but its resistance depends on the type of oil or fuel it’s exposed to. Among the oils where silicone shows the most flexibility and oil-resistant properties, even at high temperatures, include:

• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Corn oil
• Soybean oil
• Vaseline

Depending on external conditions, silicone can also be resistant to mineral and transformer oil. However, silicone struggles most with oils like diesel, unleaded gasoline, and other fuel oils. Components like fluorosilicone rubber can enhance silicone’s oil resistance.

Factors Impacting Silicone’s Oil-Resistance

Before selecting an RTV silicone sealant, it’s important to understand what factors impact silicone’s oil resistance.

Chemical Compatibility of Silicone

Silicone’s chemical compatibility with various oils depends on changing conditions. For example, depending on the environmental conditions, silicone might become more or less oil-resistant.

Temperature

Temperature also significantly affects silicone’s performance. Silicone remains dependable up to different temperature thresholds, including 72°F or 120°F.

However, extreme hot or cold temperatures will alter silicone’s chemical reactions. This includes exposure to things like oil, impacting the silicone’s overall performance. Silicone will be more or less oil-resistant depending on the temperature of its environment.

Oil Concentration

The oil concentration will also impact silicone’s chemical compatibility with the substance. Different oil concentrations will affect the suitability of silicone for different applications. The length of exposure will also determine silicone’s chemical resistance. Prolonged exposure to certain oils can damage silicone’s effectiveness and ability to maintain effectiveness for various tasks.

Applications Requiring Oil-Resistant Silicone

There are several situations where oil-resistant silicone is essential, such as the following.

Automotive Applications

The automotive industry is one of the most notable environments where oil-resistant RTV silicone is vital. There, oil-resistant materials play an integral role in preventing leaks and ensuring proper performance. For instance, black gasket makers, timing covers, transmission pans, seals, and hoses require oil-resistant silicone.

These silicone components must withstand exposure to fluids like engine oil, coolant, and transmission oil. This makes black maximum oil resistance valuable for success in the automotive industry. Silicone’s ability to maintain structural integrity when exposed to oil makes it crucial for numerous automotive applications. It also contributes to a vehicle’s overall performance and reliability.

Industrial Machinery Applications

Another arena where high flexibility and oil resistance are paramount is the industrial machinery components industry. Industrial machinery components include a resistance RTV silicone gasket, transmission pans and oil pans, O-rings, seals, and more. These parts are often subject to harsh operating conditions.

These components are frequently exposed to lubricants, fluids, and oils; without oil-resistant materials, components can quickly become damaged. Silicone’s oil resistance ensures these components maintain their performance and functionality to ensure smooth operations and reduce downtime.

Medical and Pharmaceutical Applications

A bead of silicone goes a long way in many industries; the medical devices and pharmaceutical industry is no exception. This industry requires components that are free of odor, non-corrosive, and reliable, particularly for applications involving fluid transfer, containment, and processing.

Silicone is ideal in this setting for creating components like seals, tubing, and fluid transfer systems using ultra-black RTV silicone. Compatibility with ultra-black maximum oil can ensure patient safety and product efficacy, making silicone well-suited to pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

Explore Oil-Resistant Silicone From Silicone Depot

From RTV silicone to other silicone sealants with an odor-non-corrosive formula, Silicone Depot has everything necessary to meet your silicone needs. Whether you need oil-resistant silicone to handle shop fluids and vibration frequencies or seek a sensor-safe, low-odor solution, Silicone Depot has what you need.

Explore our range of silicone sealants today to find the right fit for you!