Buy Food Grade Silicone Online in Australia
Food-Grade Silicone
AIMS Industrial stocks CRC's food-grade silicone range — NSF H1 registered sealants, lubricants and grease formulated for use in food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing facilities across Australia. Unlike standard silicone, CRC's food-grade formulations skip the plasticisers, biocides and fungicides that aren't approved for food contact, so they're safe to use on equipment where incidental contact with product is possible. CRC's silicone lubricants and greases are chemically inert, non-toxic, and hold up to washdown chemicals and temperature extremes without breaking down or supporting microbial growth. Have a browse of the quick reference below, or jump straight to the questions our team gets asked most often.
Food-Grade Silicone Quick Reference
CRC's food-grade silicone range spans RTV sealant, spray lubricant, grease, release agent and penetrating oil — all formulated to NSF H1 or H2 specification for food processing, beverage and pharmaceutical clean-facility applications.
| Product Type | NSF Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Food-Grade RTV Silicone Sealant | NSF H1 (incidental contact) | Sealing joints + gaskets in food processing equipment, beverage plants |
| Food-Grade Silicone Spray (Lubricant) | NSF H1 | Conveyor lubrication, bearing lubrication where food contact possible |
| Food-Grade Silicone Grease | NSF H1 | O-rings + seals in food contact equipment, valve stems |
| Food-Grade Release Agent (Spray / Aerosol) | NSF H1 | Mould release in baking, food forming equipment |
| Food-Grade Penetrating Oil | NSF H1 | Releasing fasteners in food-contact equipment |
| Industrial-Grade (Non-Food) | NSF H2 (no food contact) | Plant general lubrication where contact is impossible (separate from food zone) |
Always verify the NSF rating on the product label before use. For the complete silicone and sealant range, see sealants. For the broader food-grade range, see food-grade products. Companion ranges: silicone spray, anti-seize compounds (food-grade variants).
Common Questions about Food-Grade Silicone
What is food-grade silicone?
Food-grade silicone is a silicone sealant, lubricant or release agent formulated and certified for incidental contact with food. The most common rating is NSF H1, registered for incidental food contact. The silicone contains no heavy metals or migrating additives that would contaminate food product during normal use or processing.
What is the difference between standard and food-grade silicone?
Standard silicones contain plasticisers, biocides and curing-system additives not approved for food contact. Food-grade variants are formulated with food-safe constituents and certified to NSF H1 or H2 specification. Do not substitute standard silicone in food-contact applications — even surfaces near food processing can pick up cross-contamination through equipment use.
Where is food-grade silicone used?
Common applications include sealing joints in food processing equipment, lubricating moving parts in conveyors, valves and packaging machinery, releasing food from moulds and trays, and pharmaceutical clean-facility maintenance. Used wherever the lubricant or sealant might contact food product during normal operation in food, beverage or pharmaceutical processing facilities.
What is the difference between NSF H1 and H2?
NSF H1 is registered for incidental food contact — the lubricant is allowed if technically unavoidable contact with food occurs during normal operation, up to 10 ppm. NSF H2 is registered for use in food-processing areas where no possibility of food contact exists. H1 is the stricter rating and the workshop default for food-grade applications.
What food-grade silicone does AIMS stock?
AIMS stocks CRC's NSF H1 registered food-grade silicone range, covering RTV silicone sealant, spray silicone lubricant and silicone grease for food, beverage, pharmaceutical and clean-facility applications. Contact us with your application detail and we'll match the right CRC product to your facility.
Is NSF H1 registration the proof that a silicone is genuinely food-safe?
NSF H1 is the recognised registration for lubricants and sealants that may have incidental food contact — look for the NSF registration number on the product label or safety data sheet as the proof. A product simply described as 'food-grade' without an NSF (or equivalent) registration can't be verified, so always check for the actual registration before use in a food facility.
Can food-grade silicone be used on rubber and plastic seals?
Silicone grease and lubricant are compatible with most rubbers and plastics and are a common O-ring and valve-seal lubricant, but check compatibility with the specific elastomer first — silicone grease on silicone rubber can cause swelling in some cases. For food equipment, use the NSF H1 grade so incidental contact is covered.
What temperature range does food-grade silicone handle?
Silicone lubricants and sealants typically tolerate a wide range — roughly -40°C up to around 200°C or more depending on the product — which suits ovens, cool rooms, and hot washdown cycles. Check the individual product's rating before using it near sustained high heat, as sealant cure and lubricant film both have upper limits.
Does food-grade silicone sealant need special surface preparation?
Yes — adhesion depends on a clean, dry, grease-free surface. Degrease with a food-safe cleaner, remove any old sealant residue, and let the new sealant cure fully before returning equipment to service or washdown. Skipping prep or rushing the cure is the usual cause of a food-grade seal lifting or failing early.
What colour is food-grade silicone sealant, and why?
Food-grade silicone sealant is manufactured in white or translucent colour as standard, rather than the black or grey often used in general industrial silicone. The lighter colour makes it easy to spot residue or contamination on the seal line during a clean-down or inspection, which matters more in a food environment than in general industrial use.
How long does food-grade silicone last in storage?
Store food-grade silicone sealants and lubricants in dry conditions, within the temperature range stated on the product's packaging or safety data sheet. Shelf life for food-grade silicone sealant is typically 12–18 months from the manufacture date — product used beyond that may not cure correctly or may show reduced adhesion, so check the batch date and rotate stock accordingly.
How do I document food-grade lubricants for a HACCP or SQF audit?
Keep the NSF registration number and current safety data sheet on file for each food-grade product, record where each one is used on the line, and store food-grade products physically separate from general workshop chemicals to prevent accidental cross-use. That traceability is what an auditor looks for under a HACCP or SQF food-safety system. For food-grade silicone product selection and compliance documentation support, contact our team.