Thank You, Paul DiCaprio: A Career That Shaped SSP
Paul DiCaprio, former President of Specialty Silicone Products (SSP), has retired after a distinguished 21-year career with our company. Paul joined SSP in June 2005 and oversaw several facility expansions, major investments in equipment, and dramatic growth in both the advanced materials and laboratory products sides of our business. Thanks to Paul’s leadership and mentorship, […]
SSP Reduces Lead Times for Conductive Extrusions
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) has reduced its lead times for electrically conductive silicone extrusions to just 3 to 4 weeks. That’s significantly shorter than the lead times offered by some competitors, which can extend beyond 12 weeks. SSP extrudes cords, tubes, D-shapes and other profiles from the elastomers it makes and can also fabricate EMI […]
Conductive Silicone Elastomers Explained: Material Properties, Fillers & EMI Shielding
Key Takeaways What is a conductive silicone elastomer? A conductive silicone elastomer is an engineered material that blends a flexible silicone or fluorosilicone polymer matrix with conductive metallic or carbon filler particles (such as silver-plated aluminum, nickel-graphite, or carbon black). It provides dual-function performance: environmental sealing (moisture, dust, extreme temperatures from -55°C to +200°C and continuous […]
EMI Gaskets for Military Electronics in M83528 Slash Sizes
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) fabricates EMI gaskets for military electronics that need to meet MIL-DTL-83528 requirements for shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) maintains this U.S. military detail specification and has added multiple SSP materials to its M83528 Qualified Products List (QPL). SSP’s QPL-certified elastomers meet the full requirements of lettered […]
Shielded Enclosure Gaskets
EMI Shielding for Enclosure Gaskets Dominic Testo Business Development Manager Specialty Silicone Products Note: This content originally appeared in the December 2025 edition of Rubber World magazine. What is Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)? Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a naturally-occurring or human-caused phenomenon that degrades or disrupts electronics or electrical equipment. The causes of EMI are numerous […]
Military Silicones and Fluorosilicones from SSP
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) makes spec-grade military silicones and fluorosilicones that are engineered for mission-critical applications. At our Made in USA manufacturing facility in Ballston Spa, New York, we produce two main categories of military-grade elastomers. EMI shielding silicones that are MIL-DTL-83528 QPL certified Non-conductive silicones that meet aerospace and defense specifications SSP manufactures these […]
Aeroderivative Turbines Need Aerospace Silicones
Aeroderivative turbines are derived from aircraft engines and adapted for ground-based or marine use. They’re used for power generation, marine propulsion, and to drive compressors and pumps in the oil and gas industry. Estimates vary, but the market is currently between USD $3.45 and $13.32B with compound annual growth rates (CAGR) ranging from 4.7% to […]
EMI Shielding for Counter-UAS Systems
Counter-UAS systems protect military assets, critical infrastructure, and civilian populations from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drone swarms. They include electronic warfare (EW) platforms that use high-power microwave (HPM) energy to destroy or disable the electronics in unmanned systems. Examples include the Leonidas product family from Epirus, a U.S. defense contractor. Whether the manufacturer is […]
How to Select the Right USP Class VI Silicone Elastomer
Summary: This article explains how to select USP Class VI silicones from Specialty Silicone Products (SSP). Our SSP2390 family of elastomers is platinum-cured for high purity. Introduction A USP Class VI silicone elastomer can provide the right balance between cost savings and patient protection. However, medical manufacturers still need to protect themselves against supplier cost-cutting that […]
Selecting EMI Shielded Enclosure Gasket Materials: A Complete Engineering Guide
Summary: Selecting the right EMI gasket material involves balancing electrical conductivity, environmental sealing, and cost-effectiveness. Key materials include silicone or fluorosilicone base elastomers filled with conductive particles like silver-aluminum or nickel-graphite to ensure Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). What are the Best Materials for EMI Shielded Enclosure Gaskets? The most effective materials for EMI shielded enclosures are […]