Military Grade Silicone Rubber for Defense Industries

In military and defense environments, the performance of every material has a direct impact on operational success. From field-deployed communication systems to high-speed aerospace platforms, components must endure extreme stress, exposure, and vibration—often without the opportunity for immediate maintenance or replacement. For these reasons, military grade silicone rubber has become an essential material across a wide range of mission-critical systems.

Unlike conventional elastomers, silicone rubber is uniquely capable of maintaining its properties in extreme conditions. It performs reliably in temperature ranges from -60°F to 450°F, making it suitable for applications in both arctic and desert climates, as well as high-altitude aerospace missions. Silicone also resists degradation caused by ultraviolet light, ozone, moisture, and chemical exposure—particularly fuels, oils, and hydraulic fluids common in defense settings.

Why Silicone Rubber Excels in Defense Applications

Silicone rubber’s exceptional temperature stability and chemical resistance make it ideal for sealing, insulating, and protecting components across multiple defense platforms. It maintains flexibility and resilience even after prolonged environmental exposure, allowing it to preserve airtight and watertight seals without cracking or compression failure. In addition, its natural dielectric properties provide excellent electrical insulation—critical in shielding military electronics from environmental hazards and electromagnetic interference.

Its material characteristics make military grade silicone rubber suitable for a variety of functions, including:

• • Environmental seals and gaskets on land vehicles and naval vessels

• • Vibration-isolating pads and mounts for mobile electronics and communications gear

• • EMI/RFI shielding in radar and defense communications systems

• • Insulation sleeves and boots for wiring harnesses and connectors

• • Die-cut or molded parts in enclosures, housings, and control panels

Whether used as a molded component or an extruded profile, silicone rubber delivers consistent, long-term performance where failure is not an option.

Functional Role in Military Systems

The versatility of silicone rubber allows it to be integrated into virtually every level of defense infrastructure. In land systems, it supports the structural integrity of armored vehicle doors and hatches while protecting onboard electronics. Regarding naval applications, it resists salt spray and fuel exposure in marine-grade enclosures and cable assemblies. In aerospace, silicone rubber is used in high-temperature seals, lightweight vibration dampers, and protective linings that must meet both mechanical and flammability standards.

One of the most important contributions of military grade silicone rubber is its ability to support the long-term reliability of mission-critical technologies. It can be compressed and flexed repeatedly without loss of elasticity, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or part replacement. Its flame resistance and low outgassing properties make it a preferred choice for sealed environments and pressurized systems where cleanliness and safety are paramount.

This material is also favored in new and evolving military technologies, such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), autonomous ground vehicles, and compact communications devices—where weight, reliability, and environmental shielding are closely scrutinized.

Reiss Manufacturing: A Proven Partner in Defense-Grade Materials

Behind every high-performance silicone rubber application is a material supplier who understands the unique demands of the defense sector. Reiss Manufacturing is proud to support government and military contractors with precision-formulated silicone compounds designed to meet strict mechanical, environmental, and regulatory standards.

With more than 125 years of manufacturing experience, Reiss produces custom silicone rubber materials in ISO 9001:2015-certified U.S. facilities, ensuring full traceability, compliance, and production control. Our vertically integrated process—from compounding and mixing to molding, extrusion, and fabrication—enables us to meet a wide range of application-specific tolerances and turnaround times. Whether you’re developing prototype components or scaling up to full production, we offer the technical support and responsiveness required to meet mission objectives.To request a quote or learn how Reiss can support your next defense application with proven silicone rubber solutions, contact us today.