Thinking about buying a silicone membrane sheet for your vacuum press? You’re probably asking yourself the same questions most buyers do: Which thickness should I choose? How many years can I actually use it? And is silicone really a smarter choice than PVC? 

These are all fair concerns. The good news is that silicone has already proven itself in industries where performance really matters. It tolerates high heat, shrugs off UV and chemicals, and stretches without tearing even after thousands of cycles. That’s why furniture makers, composite manufacturers, and even aerospace suppliers count on silicone membranes for reliable forming results.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes silicone membrane sheets different, what to consider before buying, and how to get the best value out of your investment. You’ll also see tips and real-world uses that can help you choose with confidence.

Now, here we go!

What Is A Silicone Membrane Sheet?

A silicone membrane sheet is a thin, flexible, transparent or translucent sheet made from high-strength silicone rubber. It is primarily used for shaping and thermoforming solid surface sheets and thermoplastic materials under heat and vacuum on membrane presses. The membrane stretches uniformly, transfers pressure evenly, and releases cleanly, reducing marks and rework.

You can apply it in wood lamination, thermofoils, and composite forming, including aerospace and automotive components where repeatability and dimensional stability matter.

Because definition alone does not tell you why demand is rising, the next section explains which properties make silicone membranes the preferred choice in modern vacuum forming.

Why Are Silicone Membrane Sheets in Great Demand?

Silicone membranes remain popular because their material behavior translates directly into process reliability and cost control.

1) Physical performance

Silicone membranes combine high wear resistance with elastic recovery, so the sheet returns to its original shape after repeated cycles without permanent deformation.

They also resist moisture and provide stable dielectric properties, which helps in heated processes where condensation or stray currents may appear.

2) Color options with no performance impact

Membranes are available in several colors for identification or line management. Color does not affect service life or forming quality; it simply helps distinguish batches, thicknesses, or manufacturers when required.

3) Multiple grades for different duties

Suppliers offer soft and firm variants in different thicknesses. Thin, soft gauges are favored for deep-draw thermoforming of solid surfaces and thermoplastics, while stronger grades suit high-wear or abrasive setups. Experienced suppliers can match the grade to your press type, forming depth, and cycle profile. 

4) Attractive total cost of ownership

Although high-grade silicone is not the cheapest polymer, its long service life and resistance to heat, UV, and chemicals reduce downtime, scrap, and changeovers. Over a multi-year horizon, that creates a compelling cost advantage versus lower-end rubbers.

Having seen the drivers of demand, it helps to understand the core technical properties that govern selection and performance in your production environment.

What Are the Top Considerations about a Silicone Membrane Sheet?

Selecting the right membrane starts with how silicone behaves under heat, load, and environment.

1) Heat Resistance

Compared with natural and many synthetic rubbers, silicone remains stable at elevated temperatures. Quality membranes support continuous operation around 200–250°C, making them suitable for presses that run hot cycles or require thermal soak.

2) Weathering Resistance

Silicone resists UV, ozone, and oxidation far better than organic rubbers. Mechanical and surface properties change very little after long exposure, which matters for plants with sunlight or ozone-rich airflows.

3) Cold Resistance

Silicone maintains flexibility at low temperatures, typically down to −60 to −70°C, which protects against cracking during storage or in cold shops.

4) Thermal Conductivity

Silicone conducts heat sufficiently to promote uniform temperature distribution across the workpiece. In specialized setups, it can serve with heating rollers or act as a thermal buffer to even out hot spots.

5) Electrical Properties

Silicone is a strong electrical insulator and retains dielectric strength at high temperatures and frequencies. Even when temporarily exposed to moisture, its insulating behavior remains stable.

6) Steam Resistance

Silicone membranes absorb little water and keep tensile strength even under humid conditions or occasional steam contact. However, prolonged exposure to high-pressure steam above roughly 150°C will degrade siloxane chains.

7) Resistance to oils, solvents, and chemicals

Silicone shows robust resistance to many chemicals and oils at elevated temperatures. At lower temperatures some swelling can occur depending on the medium, so consult compatibility data for your specific environment.

8) High Tensile and Tear Strength

Modern silicone compounds can reach tear strength values around 11.5 MPa with proper reinforcement and fillers, enabling deep draws, complex geometries, and reverse-taper features without premature failure.

9) Flame behavior

Standard silicone burns slowly and self-extinguishes poorly once ignited. Where flame performance is critical, choose flame-retardant grades formulated with appropriate additives and verify against your target standard.

With the property landscape in mind, the next step is translating these behaviors into concrete purchase criteria for your press and workpieces.

A Buyer’s Guide Before Purchasing Silicone Membrane Sheets

Convert material behavior into practical selection rules that fit your press, parts, and budget.

1) Size and coverage

Measure the vacuum table and the tallest workpiece stack-up so the sheet fully seals without overstretch. Plan for clamping margins. For better coverage and sealing, we generally recommend a slightly larger membrane size.

2) Thickness

Typical choices are 1.0–3.0 mm. Thinner sheets flex more easily for deep draws; thicker sheets extend life and resist tears in abrasive cycles.

3) Operating temperature

Confirm peak and dwell temperatures for your press. Choose membranes rated to your highest routine setting to avoid thermal aging.

4) Abrasion profile

High part counts, sharp edges, or textured tools call for higher tear strength grades and careful housekeeping to avoid cuts.

5) Shore hardness

Match durometer to forming depth and geometry: softer for intricate shapes, firmer for flat or mildly contoured panels.

6) Surface Finish

Smoother finishes reduce friction and marking in dynamic contact; rougher finishes can suffice in static seals.

7) Total cost

Evaluate not only unit price but also expected service life, downtime, and changeover frequency.

Quick reference for buyers:

Common selection scenarios

• Deep-draw parts with sharp radii: prioritize thinner, softer sheets with higher tear strength and keep edges deburred to reduce nicking.
• High-throughput flat panel lines: prioritize thicker, firmer sheets to maximize life and stabilize cycle times, with smooth finishes to reduce friction.
• Mixed-geometry job shops: keep two thicknesses on hand and standardize margins and clamps so changeovers are fast and repeatable.
  If your process combines deep draws and abrasive substrates, consider a hybrid approach: a primary thick membrane for durability and a secondary sacrificial film or release layer to protect the surface during the most demanding cycles.

With selection criteria clarified and summarized above, installation and daily operation practices will determine whether you actually realize the membrane’s designed service life. The next section focuses on correct use on vacuum membrane presses.

How to Use a Silicone Membrane Sheet for Vacuum Membrane Presses?

Step 1: Check the sheet

Before placing the silicone membrane sheet, make sure it is unbroken and free of flaws. When fastening the silicone sheet to the metal frame, ensure you do not fold it. 

Avoid fixing it too tight while fastening it to the metal frame.

Step 2: Work on the main surface

Put talc powder on the silicone membrane sheet’s flat side since that is the surface you will be working on every time. It will lessen surface friction and the electrostatic effect. 

While working, arrange the cushion and ensure it stays on the work surface.

Step 3: Fix components at appropriate places

Fix upper wooden components around 15 cm away from the metal frame. Additionally, you should install door panels around 10 cm away from the metal frames. 

You cannot press the door panels and other components again once you have cut the sheets.

Step 4: Ensure the correct pump pressure

Stop the vacuum membrane presses when the pump pressure is low, or you hear an unusual noise.

Step 5: Finish the task

Disassemble it after all the air has been released and resolve any problems you find.

Tips on Using a Silicone Membrane Sheet for Vacuum Press

Taking proper care and caution before handling silicone membrane sheets would be best. 

It is because you want to avoid damaging these sheets before using them. Here are some ways you can handle silicone sheets.

1) Keep them away from Oil and Other Organic Solvents.

Keep silicone membrane sheets away from substances that could harm them. These substances include oils, acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.

2) Keep them away from the sun.

Make sure you keep the sunlight out of reach of your sheets since it can harm membrane sheets.

3) Carefully examine the packaging.

Always double-check the packaging. It will help ensure that the silicone membrane sheets’ package is in good shape. Please feel free to ask your provider for replacements.

4) Make sure they are correctly packed.

Make sure your silicone membrane sheets are rolled up or correctly folded. It will help you to store them properly within carton boxes.

Area of Applications

In the past ten years, Deer Hunter has been focusing constantly on customers’ requests. The key to our success is that we are developing unique products to meet multiple applications.

1) Vacuum Membrane Presses

In the traditional furniture and woodworking industry, vacuum membrane presses are increasingly being used in the aviation, automotive, composites, rigid foil lamination, plastic processing and sublimation industries. In the process of vacuum forming, high tear strength silicone membranes are involved.

2) Laminating of PVC foil

PVC foil is a lamination film, used for indoor decoration and furniture production, like Furniture doors, Kitchen cabinet doors, Wall panels, Plywood, etc. We offer silicon sheet membranes for the thermoforming of solid surface, and thermoplastic materials.

3) Wood Veneering

Thanks to the reliability and elasticity of our silicone and rubber membranes, working with some of the industry leaders in cabinet manufacturing and veneering. You can trust our silicone rubber membranes used in the production of wood veneer and thermofoil door panels in the woodworking industry.

4) Glass Lamination

Depending on durability, temperature resistance and elongation properties, the membrane with an elongation of up to 860% can be used as the basic material of a silicone vacuum bag, which is widely used in the process of making laminated glass.

5) Solar Panels Lamination

Some customers are also choosing our thickness 3mm silicone sheet for their solar panels lamination due to its high temperature resistance. Here, we do not recommend it. For we have a better choice for your selection.

FAQs

1) Where Are High-Temperature Silicone Rubber Sheets Used?

Silicon rubber sheets are incredibly adaptable instruments. As a result, you can utilize them in various types of vacuum membrane presses.

2) Which Material Is Most Commonly Used In Vacuum Forming?

High tear-resistant silicone membrane is the best vacuum press material. Silicone sheets can withstand working temperature till 250 degrees Celsius.

3) How Long Does Silicone Membrane Last?

The lifespan of a silicone membrane is about 5 years. That’s 5 years of shielding the current material from more harm.

4) What Can Damage Silicone?

Relatively few conditions can harm silicones. That’s because they are chemically inert. 

Materials that can harm silicone include concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid. Prolonged exposure to high-pressure steam is also one of them.

5) Is Silicone Rubber Durable?

Silicone rubber is an exceptionally durable material. In addition, it is reliable. Due to its longevity and elasticity, you can rely upon it for a very long period.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right silicone membrane sheet for your vacuum press determines consistency, uptime, and cost over the product’s life. When you align material properties with your press settings and workpiece geometry, you reduce changeovers and scrap while protecting surface quality.

Deer Hunter supplies premium silicone membranes tailored for vacuum forming, laminating, and composite processing. We support standard sizes and custom builds and can advise on thickness, durometer, and finishing for your process window.

To request pricing, place an order, or speak to a technical advisor:

Now, It’s your turn.

Mobile / WhatsApp: +86-13823789007
Email: sales@cndeerhunter.com
Or contact your sales associate or our website contact form.

We stock common widths and lengths and can produce custom widths up to typical press sizes with short lead times. If you require pre-punched holes, specific frame profiles, or matched pairs for twin-table presses, please mention this during inquiry so we can align tooling and packaging accordingly.

Your production goals drive our material choices. Share your application details and we will recommend the membrane configuration that fits your press and budget.