Cast Silicone vs VMQ vs FVMQ
Benchmark · 3 materials
Side-by-side benchmark of 3 silicone grades.
Cast Silicone vs VMQ and 1 more: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all silicone grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all silicone grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Bulk Modulus
Hardness, Shore D
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.49
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Weldability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Machinability 25 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every silicone grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Cast Silicone | VMQ | FVMQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urethane casting | Yes | ||
| Default condition | Shore A 40 | ||
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | |||
| Best machined surface |
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Cast Silicone and VMQ side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.