Silicone has earned a strong reputation as one of the longest-lasting elastomers available. Whether it’s used in dairy tubing, medical equipment, industrial seals or food-processing environments, its ability to stay stable under heat, cold, movement and constant cleaning is a major reason so many industries rely on it.
But how long does silicone actually last? And what determines whether it lasts decades, years or less?
In this article, we take a clear look at the factors that affect silicone’s lifespan, how it compares with other materials and what eventually causes it to degrade. We’ll also explain how Silclear engineers silicone products for maximum durability and how responsible end-of-life solutions like Re-Sil help close the loop.
What determines silicone’s lifespan?
Silicone is known for lasting far longer than many other elastomers, but its exact lifespan depends on how and where it’s used. Several factors influence how well silicone performs over time, and there are simple ways to reduce the impact of each one.
Temperature extremes
Silicone can withstand both very high and very low temperatures without melting, cracking or losing its flexibility. However, prolonged exposure to the upper or lower limits of its range can gradually accelerate wear, especially in applications involving continuous heat or rapid thermal cycling.
Tip: Keep silicone components within recommended operating temperatures whenever possible, and avoid unnecessary prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
UV and weathering
Unlike many plastics and rubbers, silicone is naturally resistant to UV, ozone and outdoor weathering. This makes it suitable for long-term outdoor environments, but repeated exposure to strong sunlight over many years can still cause surface changes or slight hardening.
Tip: If long-term outdoor exposure is unavoidable, choose formulations specifically designed for UV stability, or use shielding where possible.
Chemical exposure
Silicone is resistant to many chemicals, including cleaning agents, water-based solutions and certain oils. That said, harsh solvents, strong acids or specific oils can affect its structure over time. The curing system also plays a role for example, platinum-cured silicone often performs better in chemically demanding environments, like pharmaceuticals, than peroxide-cured equivalents.
Tip: Always use cleaning chemicals that are compatible with silicone and opt for platinum-cured materials in chemically exposed applications.
Mechanical stress
Repeated flexing, stretching, compression or abrasion can gradually wear down silicone components. In high-use settings such as dairy tubing or pump systems, mechanical stress is one of the primary contributors to eventual degradation.
Tip: Ensure correct installation and alignment, avoid over-stretching, and replace components before they reach the point of mechanical fatigue.
Hygiene and cleaning
Regular cleaning is essential in sectors like food, dairy and medical. When cleaning is carried out correctly, it helps silicone last longer. However, overly aggressive chemicals, incorrect concentrations or abrasive cleaning processes can shorten the material’s lifespan.
Tip: Follow recommended cleaning processes, avoid abrasive scrubbers and stick to approved cleaning agents to extend longevity.
See also – How to Clean and Maintain Silicone Milking Liners in Dairy Parlours
Comparison to other materials
When discussing how long silicone lasts, it’s helpful to compare it with other commonly used elastomers. In many applications, silicone significantly outperforms alternatives because of its stability, durability and resistance to environmental stress.
Silicone vs PVC
PVC is widely used due to its low cost, but it tends to harden, crack or become brittle over time; especially when exposed to heat, UV or regular cleaning. Silicone remains flexible and stable under the same conditions, giving it a noticeably longer service life.
Why silicone lasts longer: It doesn’t rely on plasticisers, which also means it won’t leach or break down in the same way PVC often does.
Silicone vs natural rubber
Natural rubber offers excellent elasticity but performs poorly in high temperatures, harsh chemicals and ozone-rich environments. It also degrades much faster when exposed to sunlight.
Why silicone lasts longer: It retains performance across a wide temperature range and is far more resistant to environmental ageing.
Silicone vs thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs)
TPEs are useful for certain products, but they typically lack the heat and chemical resilience that silicone naturally provides. They can soften, deform or break down more quickly under stress.
Why silicone lasts longer: Its structure is inherently more stable, giving it superior longevity in demanding or continuous-use environments.
The long-term value point
While silicone may have a higher upfront cost than these materials, its lifespan is usually much longer. Fewer replacements, reduced maintenance and better reliability ultimately make silicone the more cost-effective and sustainable choice over time.
Real-world examples of silicone lifespan
Because silicone is used across so many industries, its real-world lifespan varies depending on application, environment and usage. Here are a few typical examples that illustrate how long high-quality silicone can last when used correctly.
Dairy tubing
In dairy systems, silicone tubing is exposed to constant mechanical movement, repeated cleaning cycles, temperature changes and suction forces. Despite this, high-quality silicone tubing can last years when maintained properly, outperforming many other materials that need more frequent replacement.
Silicone milking liners can last up to 10,000 milkings if maintained properly – four times longer than traditional black rubber liners.
What helps extend lifespan:
Consistent cleaning with compatible detergents, proper installation and avoiding unnecessary stretching or kinking.
Pharma and medical applications
Pharmaceutical and medical environments often involve sterilisation processes such as autoclaving, repeated use and exposure to sanitising agents. Silicone performs exceptionally well under these conditions due to its heat and chemical resistance.
Typical lifespan:
Silicone components can withstand multiple sterilisation cycles without losing integrity, making them a reliable long-term choice.
What helps extend lifespan:
Following validated cleaning protocols and ensuring the correct grade of silicone is used for each application.
Industrial seals and gaskets
In industrial machinery, silicone seals may encounter heat, pressure, oils or intermittent chemical exposure. Even so, they generally maintain performance for long periods, especially in applications where resistance to temperature extremes is essential.
Typical lifespan:
Industrial silicone seals often remain effective for several years before showing signs of wear.
What helps extend lifespan:
Using the right formulation for the environment and keeping machinery running within recommended operating conditions.
Across these sectors, silicone consistently lasts longer than many alternative elastomers. The key factors are choosing the correct grade and ensuring proper care; both of which significantly influence the product’s total working life.
End-of-life: What happens when silicone does degrade?
Even though silicone is highly durable, all materials eventually reach the end of their usable life. When silicone starts to degrade, the signs are usually easy to spot.
Common signs of degradation
- Loss of elasticity or flexibility
- Surface cracking or chalkiness
- Hardening or stiffening
- Reduced performance in sealing, suction or movement
- Visible wear in high-stress areas
These changes happen gradually and are often the result of long-term mechanical stress, repeated cleaning cycles, chemical exposure or simply years of use. Once silicone reaches this stage, replacing the component is the safest and most efficient option.
The waste challenge
Traditionally, end-of-life silicone had limited disposal options. Because silicone isn’t biodegradable and rarely fits into standard recycling systems, most used silicone products were sent to general waste; even when the bulk material was still structurally sound.
A more circular solution: Re-Sil
This challenge is one of the main reasons we developed Re-Sil, our recycled silicone material. By collecting and processing end-of-life silicone, we can give high-value materials a second life instead of letting them accumulate in landfill. It’s a practical step toward a more circular approach to silicone and an important part of extending the sustainability of the products we manufacture.
Why Silclear’s products are engineered for longevity
At Silclear, durability is built into everything we manufacture. Silicone’s natural longevity is a major advantage, but the true lifespan of a component depends just as much on the quality of the material and the care taken during production.
High-performance formulations
We develop our silicone compounds to ensure excellent stability, flexibility and long-term performance. By carefully refining formulations, we create products that withstand demanding conditions for longer.
Precision manufacturing
Consistency is key to longevity. Our manufacturing processes are designed to maintain tight tolerances, reliable wall thicknesses and high-quality finishes, all of which help prevent premature wear.
Application-specific solutions
Different environments place different demands on silicone. We work closely with customers to select the right grade, curing system and geometry, ensuring each product is suited to its application and performs reliably over time.
Reduced waste through longer service life
A longer-lasting product isn’t just more efficient it’s more sustainable. Fewer replacements mean fewer materials consumed, less energy used and less waste produced across the product’s lifecycle.
Support and guidance for proper care
Longevity also depends on how silicone components are looked after. To help customers get the best possible performance, we provide clear guidance on correct care, cleaning and maintenance. Our Knowledge Hub includes practical articles, advice and technical insights designed to support effective long-term use.
By combining high-quality materials, technical expertise and ongoing support, we help customers maximise the lifespan and value of every silicone component they purchase from us.
Conclusion
Silicone has earned its reputation as one of the most durable and reliable elastomers available. Its ability to withstand heat, cold, UV, chemicals and constant mechanical stress makes it a long-lasting choice across industries from dairy and food processing to pharmaceuticals and industrial manufacturing.
How long silicone lasts ultimately depends on how it’s used, the environment it operates in and the quality of the material itself. Factors like temperature, cleaning methods and mechanical stress all play a role, but with proper care and correct material selection, silicone consistently outperforms many alternative elastomers.
At the end of its life, silicone shows clear signs of wear long before it becomes a risk, and responsible disposal or recycling pathways are becoming increasingly important as the industry moves toward more circular solutions. Our development of Re-Sil, a recycled silicone material, is one step toward addressing this challenge and reducing long-term waste. By combining high-quality formulations, precise manufacturing and ongoing guidance for correct use, we help ensure that every Silclear silicone component delivers maximum performance and longevity throughout its lifecycle.
