6 Types of Silicone Used in Powder Coat Masking Designs

The go-to silicone for general industrial masking — flexible, durable, and heat resistant.

This is the most commonly used silicone in molded masking applications. It balances flexibility, durability, and high-temperature resistance, making it a reliable material for most powder coating and e-coating processes.

Best for:

• The majority of powder coating masking applications
• Reusable masking caps, plugs, and covers

Strengths:

• Excellent thermal resistance (up to ~600°F / 315°C)
• Flexible and durable

Weaknesses:

• Slightly lower tear strength compared to specialized silicones

An iron oxide infused silicone, with improved paint adhesion

Silicone infused with red iron oxide additive strengthens the bond of paint to the masking component (cap, plug, cover). This is great for when paint/powder flaking off is an issue.

Best for:

• High-temp powder coating
• Applications where paint flaking off of masking is more of a concern
• Specific Applications: Bus Bar Masks, Pull Plugs

Strengths:

• Reduces / Prevents paint flaking
• In some cases, customers have reported better temperature resistance

Weaknesses:

• Slightly stiffer than standard silicone
• Can be slightly more expensive due to added heat stabilizers
• More difficult to clean for reuse, as paint more strongly adheres to the iron oxide additives

Formulated to conduct electricity, essential for grounding parts during powder coating.

Conductive silicone is typically filled with carbon or other conductive particles, allowing electrical current to pass through. This is crucial in powder coat processes where electrical grounding is necessary.

Best for:

• Applications where the masking point also needs to be the grounding point
• Specific Application Examples: Masking Bores & Bushings

Strengths:

• Allows electrical current to pass through, giving you the ability to hang the component being powder coated through the masking part

Weaknesses:

• In some cases, conductive silicone can be more expensive due to material formulation
• Fewer reuses compared to standard high-temperature silicone
• Can not be color-coded

Strengths:

• Exceptional durability and elasticity
• Resistant to tearing, cracking, and splitting
• Ideal for repeated use and tight-fit applications

Weaknesses:

• Typically softer, which can affect shape retention under compression
• Higher cost per part

Strengths:

• Ultra-clean
• Non-yellowing, non-toxic, and odorless

Weaknesses:

• Not as heat-resistant as peroxide-cured silicones
• More expensive and harder to process

Precision-molded for tight tolerances — ideal when dimensional accuracy matters.

Low-shrink silicone is specially formulated to minimize dimensional change during the molding and curing process. It’s often used when an exact fit is critical, especially on parts with complex geometries or tight tolerances. Low-shrink silicone also works well at maintaining sealing surfaces over longer times during e-coating processes.

Best for:

• Masking parts with tight tolerances
• Complex geometries that must remain dimensionally accurate
• Specific Applications: Masking Bores

Strengths:

• Excellent dimensional stability
• Ideal for precision masking components
• Maintains shape and fit even under repeated use

Weaknesses:

• Can be slightly stiffer than standard silicone
• May have longer cure times or require more controlled processing