FabDigit

FVMQ vs Cast Silicone vs VMQ

Benchmark · 3 materials

Side-by-side benchmark of 3 silicone grades.

FVMQ vs Cast Silicone and 1 more: properties

FVMQCast SiliconeVMQ

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.01 GPa7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi
0 GPa2.47×10⁻⁴ Msi
0.01 GPa7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

9 MPa1.2 ksi
5 MPa0.73 ksi
8 MPa1.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

250%
400%
350%

Hardness, Shore A

60 Shore A
40 Shore A
60 Shore A

Hardness, Shore D

15 Shore D
20 Shore D

Tear Strength

15 kN/m85.7 lbf/in
20 kN/m114 lbf/in
12 kN/m68.5 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

20%
15%
20%

Bulk Modulus

2 GPa0.23 Msi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.49

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.45 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.1 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.2 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

-70°C-94 °F
-122°C-188 °F
-123°C-189 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.4%
0.3%
0.3%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1%
1%

Refractive Index

1.41
1.41

Light Transmission

88%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.21 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F
1,300 J/kg·K0.31 BTU/lb·°F
1,300 J/kg·K0.31 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

230 µm/m·K128 µin/in·°F
270 µm/m·K150 µin/in·°F
250 µm/m·K139 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-55°C-67 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

29%
26%
27%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

230°C446 °F
260°C500 °F
280°C536 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

20 kV/mm508 V/mil
20 kV/mm508 V/mil
22 kV/mm559 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

6.5
3
3.2

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.02
0.001
0.002

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω
1×10¹⁵ Ω

Same in both: Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
85 / 100
68 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

95 / 100
96 / 100
96 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
92 / 100
88 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

3%
0.2%
2.5%

Mold Temperature (typ.)

170°C338 °F
25°C77 °F
175°C347 °F

Polishability

70 / 100
40 / 100

Weldability

15 / 100

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

70°C158 °F

Same in both: Machinability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb
130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb
135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

11 kg CO₂/kg
7 kg CO₂/kg
7 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
5 kN·m/kg
7 kN·m/kg

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
2
1

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.

1.1Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleCast Silicone

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityFVMQCast SiliconeVMQ
Urethane castingYes
Default conditionShore A 40
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall
Best machined surface

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in FVMQ and Cast Silicone 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.