Silicone Membranes for Vacuum Lamination
100% VMQ silicone membranes designed to withstand the extreme conditions of vacuum lamination processes: temperatures up to 200 °C, repetitive pressure and vacuum cycles, contact with molten EVA and acetic acid released during solar panel curing. Manufactured through a 9-point quality process — from incoming compound inspection to final post-cure control — that guarantees maximum service life per membrane.
In a vacuum lamination process, the silicone membrane is the component that transfers vacuum pressure uniformly across the entire surface of the workpiece. If the membrane is not homogeneous, the pressure is not uniform and the result is bubbles, delaminations, areas without adhesion or cosmetic defects. If the membrane does not resist the working temperature, it degrades prematurely and the cost per cycle soars. If the membrane does not resist the process chemicals (EVA, acetic acid in solar; epoxy resins in composites), it sticks to the workpiece and the cycle is lost.
VAC-SIL® membranes are designed specifically for these environments. The compound is checked with a rheometer on every incoming batch. The sheet is calendered to precise thickness, vulcanised in a rotocure, post-cured for 4 hours at 175 °C to maximise mechanical properties and eliminate volatiles, and inspected at 9 control points before dispatch. The result is a membrane with superior mechanical properties (tensile up to 8.5 MPa, elongation up to 750%) that maintains its properties over thousands of cycles.
Four grades cover the full spectrum of applications: from composites and veneer lamination in furniture (Supreme and Pro) to solar photovoltaic panel production with its specific requirements for EVA and acetic acid resistance (Lamin8 and Endurance+).
What does each membrane changeover really cost you?
The purchase price of the membrane is only part of the cost. A membrane changeover means laminator downtime, disassembly, assembly, readjustment and restart. On a solar lamination line producing 1,000+ modules/day, every hour of downtime is lost production. A membrane that lasts 2,000 cycles more than the competition does not just save the membrane cost — it saves the changeover stoppages that do not happen. The investment in a higher-performance membrane pays for itself in the first weeks of production.
Which grade do you need?
Locate your application and the recommended VAC-SIL® grade.
| Requisito | Formulación | Serie | Proceso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar lamination — high volume, maximum durability | Endurance+ | 4.0 mm · 55 ShA | CAD cut to laminator dimensions |
| Solar lamination — standard production | Lamin8 | 3.8 mm · 55 ShA | CAD cut to laminator dimensions |
| Solar lamination — general use / new line | Pro (3 mm) | 3.0 mm · 55 ShA | CAD cut to laminator dimensions |
| Automotive composite forming | Supreme | 1.0 mm · 35 ShA | CAD cut to press dimensions |
| Aerospace composite forming | Supreme or Pro | 1.0–1.5 mm | CAD cut to autoclave dimensions |
| Veneer/vinyl furniture lamination | Pro (1.5 mm) | 1.5 mm · 55 ShA | CAD cut to press dimensions |
| Marine composite lamination | Pro (3 mm) | 3.0 mm · 55 ShA | CAD cut to size |
| Composite prototypes and short runs | Supreme | 1.0 mm · 35 ShA | CAD cut to size |
4 grades designed for 4 levels of demand
VAC-SIL® Supreme — the versatile one
100% VMQ silicone membrane without textile reinforcement. 1 mm thick, 35 Shore A. The softest and most flexible in the range: conforms to complex geometries and surfaces with relief. Tensile 8.5 MPa and elongation 750% — the highest mechanical properties of the four grades. Black colour. For applications where the membrane needs to conform to three-dimensional parts without bridging or wrinkling.
VAC-SIL® Pro — the industrial standard
100% VMQ silicone membrane without textile reinforcement. Available in 1.5 mm and 3 mm thickness, 55 Shore A. The most versatile grade: tougher than Supreme with good flexibility. Tensile 7.0 MPa, elongation 500%. Blue colour. Matte-texture finish on one face (calendering fabric impression) that aids demoulding. Suitable for solar lamination and for surface forming.
VAC-SIL® Lamin8 — EVA resistance for solar
100% VMQ silicone membrane with one integrated reinforcement fabric layer. 3.8 mm thick, 55 Shore A. Formulated specifically to resist repeated contact with molten EVA and the acetic acid released during photovoltaic module curing. The black face (bottom) is the EVA- and acid-resistant side — it is placed in contact with the module. The textile reinforcement increases tear resistance and dimensional stability. Continuous operating temperature 150 °C.
VAC-SIL® Endurance+ — maximum durability in solar
100% VMQ silicone membrane with one integrated reinforcement fabric layer. 4.0 mm thick, 55 Shore A. The premium grade for high-volume solar production. Resistant to EVA and acetic acid with the longest service life in the range. The black face (bottom) is the process-resistant side — it is placed against the module. Continuous operating temperature 200 °C. For plants seeking to minimise membrane changeover stoppages and maximise productivity.
Every membrane custom-cut to your laminator
VAC-SIL® membranes are cut with digital CAD equipment to the exact dimensions of each laminator. Pin-positioning holes, vacuum frame slots and contour curves are cut in the same operation. Maximum membrane width is 3,850 mm — sufficient for the largest solar laminators on the market.
Membranes for solar laminators
Up to 3,850 mm wideTypical solar laminator dimensions: from 1,600 × 800 mm (laboratory laminators) to 3,850 × 2,500 mm (high-volume production laminators). Pin holes and vacuum frame slots per laminator drawing.
- Maximum width
- 3,850 mm
- Cutting tolerance
- ±2 mm
- Cutting
- Digital CAD
Available grades: Pro, Lamin8, Endurance+. Supreme for prototypes.
Membranes for composite presses
Per press dimensionsDimensions per vacuum press or autoclave table. From small automotive parts to large-format aerospace panels. The flexibility of Supreme (35 ShA, 1 mm) is ideal for conforming to complex 3D geometries without bridging.
- Format
- Per press
- Cutting tolerance
- ±2 mm
- Cutting
- Digital CAD
Available grades: Supreme and Pro.
Membranes for furniture laminators
Per press dimensionsDimensions per membrane press for lamination of wood veneers, melamines, vinyls and decorative laminates onto MDF, chipboard or solid wood panels. Typical widths of 1,300 to 2,500 mm.
- Format
- Per membrane press
- Cutting tolerance
- ±2 mm
- Cutting
- Digital CAD
Available grades: Supreme and Pro.
All membranes are supplied with a lot number traceable to the raw material, packed flat without folds. Shelf life: minimum 10 years under suitable conditions (ISO 2230).
Comparison of the 4 VAC-SIL® grades
Technical comparison of the 4 grades
All grades are 100% VMQ silicone, post-cured, with mechanical properties controlled on every batch. Supreme and Pro are unreinforced membranes — maximum flexibility. Lamin8 and Endurance+ incorporate a reinforcement fabric layer that increases tear resistance and dimensional stability, plus a face specifically formulated to resist EVA and acetic acid.
Reference for selecting the appropriate grade.
| Property | Supreme | Pro | Lamin8 | Endurance+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Black | Blue | Green/Black | Orange/Black |
| Thickness (mm) | 1.0 ±0.3 | 1.5 or 3.0 ±0.3 | 3.8 ±0.3 | 4.0 ±0.3 |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 35 ±5 | 55 ±5 | 55 ±5 | 55 ±5 |
| Tensile (MPa) | 8.5 | 7.0 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Elongation at break (%) | 750 | 500 | 350 | 300 |
| Continuous operating temp. | 200 °C | 200 °C | 150 °C | 200 °C |
| Textile reinforcement | No | No | Yes (1 layer) | Yes (1 layer) |
| EVA/acid resistance | Standard | Standard | Specific | Specific (premium) |
VAC-SIL® data. Properties measured on laboratory-cured test pieces per industrial specifications. Service life in cycles depends on operating conditions (temperature, pressure, EVA type, maintenance). Lamin8 and Endurance+ are installed with the black face (EVA/acid resistant) facing down, in contact with the module.
All grades are 100% VMQ silicone, post-cured, with mechanical properties controlled on every batch. Supreme and Pro are unreinforced membranes — maximum flexibility. Lamin8 and Endurance+ incorporate a reinforcement fabric layer that increases tear resistance and dimensional stability, plus a face specifically formulated to resist EVA and acetic acid.
Reference for selecting the appropriate grade.
| Property | Supreme | Pro | Lamin8 | Endurance+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Black | Blue | Green/Black | Orange/Black |
| Thickness (mm) | 1.0 ±0.3 | 1.5 or 3.0 ±0.3 | 3.8 ±0.3 | 4.0 ±0.3 |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 35 ±5 | 55 ±5 | 55 ±5 | 55 ±5 |
| Tensile (MPa) | 8.5 | 7.0 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Elongation at break (%) | 750 | 500 | 350 | 300 |
| Continuous operating temp. | 200 °C | 200 °C | 150 °C | 200 °C |
| Textile reinforcement | No | No | Yes (1 layer) | Yes (1 layer) |
| EVA/acid resistance | Standard | Standard | Specific | Specific (premium) |
VAC-SIL® data. Properties measured on laboratory-cured test pieces per industrial specifications. Service life in cycles depends on operating conditions (temperature, pressure, EVA type, maintenance). Lamin8 and Endurance+ are installed with the black face (EVA/acid resistant) facing down, in contact with the module.
9 control points — from raw material to your laminator
Every VAC-SIL® membrane goes through a 9-point controlled manufacturing process that guarantees material homogeneity, dimensional precision and maximum service life.
Application sectors
Aerospace
Membranes for composite forming in aerospace autoclaves and vacuum presses.
Electronics
Membranes for multi-layer PCB lamination and vacuum electronic encapsulation.
Rail
Membranes for composite interior panel lamination on trains and metros.
General Industry
Membranes for solar photovoltaic lamination, furniture and industrial composites.
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Need membranes for your laminator?
Send us your laminator drawing (or the table dimensions, pin positions and vacuum frame layout) and tell us your application (solar, composites, furniture) and your production volume. We recommend the right VAC-SIL® grade and provide a quotation with membranes custom-cut, ready to install.
Request quotation