Each elastomer is different and has different properties. Rubber Fab has compiled that information as two easy reference guides. One is for our standard elastomers and one is for our Detectomer® line of elastomers. To download, click the links to the right, under Resources. These resources include an elastomer compatibility guide designed to help engineers and quality teams quickly evaluate elastomeric properties across a range of media, temperatures, and cleaning regimes.

Our elastomeric properties reference emphasizes that elastomer properties vary widely by formulation and intended service. For sanitary gaskets in hygienic processing, silicone elastomers are frequently selected for their balanced performance profile. In particular, their elastomeric properties provide resilience under repeated compression, while offering excellent thermal stability and chemical tolerance documented in our elastomer compatibility guide. Users can compare materials to assess swelling, compression set, and abrasion resistance rubber behavior under specific operating conditions.

Certifications and purity standards for silicone elastomers

Silicone elastomers used in sanitary gaskets must align with stringent certifications and purity standards. Rubber Fab’s silicone compounds are formulated to meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 (rubber articles intended for repeated use) and USP Class VI biological reactivity standards, supporting use in pharmaceutical and bioprocess applications. Where applicable, our compounds can be produced to comply with 3-A Sanitary Standards for elastomeric materials in sanitary gaskets and seals, and we provide documentation to support food-contact and hygienic processing requirements. For biopharma and single-use assemblies, select silicone grades also align with ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing and may be supported by detailed extractables/leachables data packages as indicated in our elastomer compatibility guide and product documentation.

In addition, many customers require full lot traceability and conformance to Good Manufacturing Practice principles. Rubber Fab supports these expectations with certificates of compliance, traceable batch records, and material validation summaries summarizing elastomeric properties and test performance. This level of documentation helps ensure that elastomer properties meet regulatory and quality expectations for sanitary gasket applications across food, beverage, dairy, and life sciences.

How silicone’s unique properties support single-use sanitary gaskets

Silicone compounds exhibit a combination of elastomeric properties that make them highly suitable for single-use sanitary gasket applications. Their inherent optical clarity enables visual inspection of gasket seating and potential contamination points in translucent assemblies, a benefit in single-use bioprocess lines. Low extractables and low volatility profiles reduce the risk of process contamination, supporting consistent product quality and compliance with purity standards. These elastomer properties, combined with low compression set and stable sealing performance over a wide temperature range, help maintain seal integrity during installation, sterilization (including steam and gamma exposure where applicable), and process operation.

The abrasion resistance rubber performance of silicone is typically adequate for static sanitary seals; however, where dynamic contact or repeated connection cycles are expected, our elastomer compatibility guide can help you compare silicone to alternative materials (such as EPDM or FKM) that may exhibit higher abrasion resistance rubber characteristics. Matching the right elastomeric properties to your process media and cleaning methods (CIP/SIP, solvents, oxidizers) ensures long-term reliability, reduced particulate generation, and minimized risk of extractables.

Selecting the right material: use our elastomer compatibility guide

Because each elastomer is different and has different properties, material selection should be guided by media compatibility, temperature, pressure, sterilization method, and required certifications. Our elastomer compatibility guide presents comparative data on swelling, hardness, compression set, and chemical resistance, helping users evaluate elastomer properties for both standard elastomers and Detectomer® formulations. These guides also summarize key elastomeric properties—such as tensile strength, tear resistance, and abrasion resistance rubber behavior—so you can balance sealing performance with cleanliness and durability requirements.

Detectomer® elastomers provide metal- and X-ray-detectable options for enhanced foreign-material control while preserving critical elastomeric properties comparable to their standard counterparts. For processes demanding visibility, low extractables, and regulatory compliance, silicone remains a leading choice; for harsher cleaning chemistries or elevated abrasion risk, other materials listed in the elastomer compatibility guide may be more appropriate.

Reliable source for high-purity gaskets

Rubber Fab is a reliable source for high-purity sanitary gaskets, offering a full range of silicone, EPDM, FKM, PTFE blends, and Detectomer® options. We support your quality system with comprehensive documentation packages, including certificates of compliance, lot traceability, and test summaries of elastomeric properties. Our application specialists can recommend materials based on your process conditions and reference data in our elastomer compatibility guide to ensure optimal elastomer properties for your specific media and cleaning protocols.

To learn more, download the guides under Resources or contact Rubber Fab to discuss your application. Whether you require silicone with optical clarity and low extractables for single-use assemblies, or alternative materials emphasizing abrasion resistance rubber characteristics, we can help you select and qualify materials that meet FDA, USP Class VI, and 3-A expectations while providing the elastomeric properties your process demands.