
Published
by Rogers Corporation
Elastomeric Material Solutions
In our last blog, we outlined why temperature is a crucial factor in design and material selection. Now we will take a closer look into the ideal temperature ranges for various material types and guide you on where to find temperature information for specific Rogers Corporation materials.
The material types we will discuss include:
Polyurethane materials have a versatile range of temperature tolerances depending on their application and specific formulation (for example, whether they are ester or ether-based). Generally, the temperature range for polyurethane materials is:
Min. | Max. | Short-term Exposure (Max.) | |
---|---|---|---|
Foam | -55°C (-67°F) | 200°C (392°F) | 225° C |
Sponge | -75°C (-103° F) | 232° C (449°F) | 250° C |
Solid | -75°C (-103° F) | 232° C (449°F) | 250° C |
The minimum and maximum temperature is also known as the continuous temperature range.
A critical feature of silicone is its ability to preserve flexibility in low temperature environments instead of becoming hard and brittle like many other materials. Additionally, heat does not degrade silicone's high-performance properties in high-temperature environments.
These properties make silicone materials suitable for a wide range of applications, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices, where both high- and low-temperature performance is required.
It depends on how far out of the temperature boundary and how long the material is exposed to these conditions. At high temperatures outside of its boundaries, silicone may experience degradation in its mechanical properties, leading to reduced elasticity and even deformation. Silicone may lose flexibility at low temperatures outside of its boundaries and be susceptible to cracking. In general, exposing a material to temperatures outside of the specified temperature range compromises performance and can potentially result in safety and reliability issues as well as reduce the lifespan of the application.
Polyurethane materials have a versatile range of temperature tolerances depending on their application and specific formulation (for example, whether they are ester or ether-based). Generally, the temperature range for polyurethane materials is:
Min. | Max. | Short-term Exposure (Max.) | |
---|---|---|---|
Low Density Foam | -62°C (-80°F) | 93°C (200°F) | 150° C (302° F) |
High Density Foam | -62°C (-80°F) | 82°C (180°F) | 150° C (302° F) |
Rigid | -62°C (-80°F) | 93°C (200°F) | 150° C (302° F) |
It's important to select the appropriate type of polyurethane for your specific temperature requirements to ensure optimal performance and longevity. This broad temperature range makes polyurethane suitable for a variety of applications, including those in automotive, industrial, and consumer products, where both flexibility at low temperatures and stability at higher temperatures are required.
If polyurethane is used outside of its designated temperature boundaries, its performance and properties may be compromised. At low temperatures, polyurethanes may become brittle, hard, and even crack. At high temperatures, polyurethanes may degrade and lose mechanical properties. Using polyurethanes outside of designated temperature boundaries potentially affects the reliability, safety, and lifespan of the application.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films are known for their exceptional temperature resistance.
Min. | Max. | Short-term Exposure (Max.) | |
---|---|---|---|
Skived PTFE Film | -200°C (-328°F) | 260°C (500°F) | 300°C (572°F) |
ePTFE (Expanded PTFE) | -200°C (-328°F) | 260°C (500°F) | 300°C (572°F) |
PTFE films can handle even higher temperatures for short periods without significant degradation.
Like silicone chemistries, this broad temperature range makes PTFE films suitable for a wide variety of demanding applications, including those in the aerospace, chemical processing, electrical industries, and wire and cable.
Using PTFE outside of its temperature boundaries can lead to material degradation, loss of mechanical properties, and failure at high temperatures. At low temperatures, PTFE may become brittle and lose its flexibility. Using PTFE outside of its temperature boundaries may compromise its reliability and performance, potentially causing safety issues and reducing the lifespan of the application.
Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) skived films have excellent temperature resistance properties, although those properties are not as extreme as those of some other high-performance plastics like PTFE.
Min. | Max. | Short-term Exposure (Max.) | |
---|---|---|---|
UHMW- PE Film | -200 °F (-328°F) | 93°C (200°F) | 100°C (212°F) |
UHMW-PE skived films are valued for their high impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance, and low coefficient of friction, making them suitable for various industrial applications. However, for applications requiring exposure to higher temperatures, other materials like PTFE may be more appropriate.
Using UHMW at high temperatures can cause the material to soften, deform, burn, or catch fire. 93°C (200°F) is the recorded heat distortion temperature for many UHMW films, the temperature at which the material starts to deform under a load. At low temperatures, the material can become brittle, crack, and be less abrasion resistant. Using UHMW outside of recommended boundaries affects the performance, reliability, and lifespan of UHMW in an application.
Below are the general temperature ranges for our elastomeric material product lines. Please note that this is a guideline. Actual temperature ranges for specific materials will vary.
Rogers Corporation Material Offering | Typical Range | Intermittent Exposure |
---|---|---|
oC oF |
oC oF |
|
BISCO® Silicones | -55 to 200 -67 to 392 |
225 437 |
ARLON® Industrial Silicones | -57 to 232 -70 to 450 |
300 572 |
PORON® Polyurethanes | -40 to 90 -40 to 194 |
121 250 |
DeWAL® PTFE | -100 to 260 -148 to 500 |
260 500 |
DeWAL® UHMW | -120 to 85 -184 to 185 |
95 203 |
Published on Mar 27, 2025