Built for the
most demanding
environments.
OptiSil optics are deployed from the ocean floor to autonomous vehicle rooftops and laboratory benches. Here's where silicone optics outperform every alternative.
Precision silicone, cast, and machined optics for marine, vehicle, and research applications. Engineered and manufactured to specification.
Every dimension, surface, and claim here ties back to a real part, made and measured. The samples below aren't renderings or ideal cases—they're straight off the line, under macro inspection, with tolerances exactly where they're supposed to be.
Optics built for
demanding environments
From the ocean surface to autonomous road systems, OptiSil silicone optics deliver consistent performance where glass and plastic fail.
Underwater optical systems
Silicone's natural flexibility allows dome lenses to equalise pressure at depth without cracking or crazing — a fundamental failure mode of glass and acrylic equivalents. Our subsea domes maintain optical integrity to 600m.
- ROV and AUV camera domes rated to 600m
- Navigation buoy lens housings — 10yr UV stable
- Sonar transducer acoustic windows
- Tidal turbine sensor enclosures
- Oceanographic research instrument optics
LiDAR, camera & sensor optics
Self-driving systems demand optics that perform consistently across extreme temperatures, vibration, and weather. Silicone's thermal stability from −40°C to +125°C meets automotive qualification standards where acrylic fails.
- LiDAR dome covers — 905nm and 1550nm optimised
- Camera lens protective enclosures
- Ultrasonic sensor windows
- Radar radome materials
- AEC-Q200 qualified formulations available
Laboratory and instrument optics
Research environments demand materials with precisely known and stable optical properties. OptiSil supplies documented-refractive-index silicone optics with full traceability for integration into published scientific instrumentation.
- Spectroscopy cell windows and lenses
- Photonic crystal experimental components
- Cryogenic optical elements (−196°C compatible)
- High-power laser beam shaping optics
- Custom micro-optics from 1mm diameter
Lightweight airborne optics
Weight is critical in aerospace. Silicone's density (~1.1 g/cm³) is significantly lower than glass equivalents. Our UAV dome covers deliver full optical performance at a fraction of the mass.
- Drone camera dome enclosures
- High-altitude balloon instrument optics
- Satellite sensor window seals
- Gimbal camera protective domes
- UV-stable formulations for stratospheric exposure
Biocompatible optical components
Our optics are moulded from ISO 10993 and FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 silicone material, used at the point of patient contact in endoscopy, surgical cameras, and diagnostics.
- Endoscope distal tip optical windows
- Surgical camera lens assemblies
- Fundus imaging optical elements
- Autoclave-stable (134°C / 3 bar) components
- Single-use and reusable configurations
Hazardous environment enclosures
Silicone optics resist hydrocarbon solvents, salt fog, and wide thermal cycling — making them the material of choice for CCTV domes on oil platforms and process monitoring cameras in chemical plants.
- Explosion-proof CCTV dome covers
- Wind turbine nacelle camera lenses
- Process monitoring optical windows
- Pipeline inspection camera domes
- ATEX-compatible formulations available
Multi-lens and reflector modules for LED arrays
We mould and machine multi-lens and reflector modules built to shape, direct, and distribute light from multiple LED packages within a single fixture — collimating, diffusing, or splitting output across zones as the beam pattern requires. Each cavity is held to the same ±20 µm tolerance as our single-element optics, so beam angle and intensity stay consistent LED to LED and unit to unit.
- Multi-cavity arrays matched to LED pitch and package size
- Integrated reflector-plus-lens assemblies for mixed collimation and spread
- Consistent beam angle across every cavity in the array
- High-temperature silicone formulations for close LED-junction mounting
- Automotive, architectural, and signage lighting programs
Speak to an engineer.
Our optical engineers will review your operating environment and recommend the right silicone formulation and geometry for your application.
Request a Custom QuoteMaterial &
optical specifications
Full technical data for OptiSil optical silicone formulations. All values represent typical performance at 23°C unless otherwise stated.
Optical Properties
| Refractive Index (589nm) | 1.41 – 1.55 (formulation dependent) |
| Abbe Number (Vd) | 42 – 55 |
| Transmission (400–800nm) | ≥ 98% |
| Transmission (350nm) | ≥ 90% (UV-grade) |
| Transmission (1000–1700nm) | ≥ 96% (NIR-grade) |
| Haze (ASTM D1003) | < 0.5% |
| Birefringence | Optically isotropic |
| Surface Roughness (Ra) | < 2nm (polished mould) |
Mechanical Properties
| Shore Hardness | 10A – 80A (custom) |
| Tensile Strength | 3.5 – 9.0 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 200% – 600% |
| Tear Strength | 15 – 45 kN/m |
| Compression Set | < 15% (72h / 175°C) |
| Density | 1.05 – 1.25 g/cm³ |
Thermal Properties
| Operating Temperature | -60 to 220°C |
| Autoclave Resistance | 134°C / 3 bar stable |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.2 – 0.3 W/(m·K) |
| CTE | ~300 ppm/°C |
| Flammability | UL94 V-0 |
Environmental & Chemical
| UV Stability | Stable >10 years outdoor exposure |
| Saltwater Resistance | No degradation (tested 5yr) |
| Ozone Resistance | Excellent |
| Hydrocarbon Oils | Minimal swell <3% |
| IP Rating | IP68 achievable (by design) |
| Depth Rating | To 600m (SSD series) |
Compliance
| Food Contact | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 |
| Biocompatibility | ISO 10993 (medical grades) |
| RoHS | Compliant |
| REACH | Compliant — SVHC free |
| Automotive | AEC-Q200 qualification available |
| Military | MIL-A-46146 ref. formulations |
Request full datasheets
Full material datasheets, TDS, SDS, and optical characterisation reports are available on request. NDA-covered data available for qualified projects.