What Is Conductive Rubber?
Conductive rubber—sometimes called an electrically conductive elastomer—is exactly what it sounds like: rubber that can carry an electric current. Unlike standard rubber (which is an insulator), conductive rubber is specially formulated to allow electricity to flow while retaining all the flexibility and resilience we love about rubber.
Now, while it is often called conductive rubber in e-stim circles, it is in fact made of silicone and not rubber, so technically it is conductive silicone.
So… What Makes It Conductive?
Regular silicone is basically a wall to electrons; it is a very effective insulator. To change that, manufacturers mix in conductive fillers—tiny particles of materials such as carbon, nickel, silver, or graphite. When enough of those particles come into contact with the rubber, they form a network through which electricity can travel. That balance between flexibility and conductivity is what makes conductive rubber so useful in both high-tech and play-tech applications.
The ratio of silicone and conductive filler is extremely hard to get right. Too much conductive filler yields outstanding conductivity but a very brittle finished material.
Too little conductive filler and your conductive silicone won't be that conductive at all. Excellent conductive rubber has that ratio dialled in very well.
Common Conductive Fillers
- Carbon black – the most common filler, low cost, good general conductivity.
- Nickel or silver – higher conductivity, often used for EMI/ESD shielding.
- Graphite or stainless steel fibres – speciality options for enhanced strength or flexibility. These aren't used in the types of conductive rubber that we play with.
Key Benefits
- Flexible and compressible like ordinary silicone or TPE.
- Resists corrosion, vibration, and temperature extremes.
- Provides reliable electrical continuity in dynamic environments.
- Works for EMI shielding, sensors, seals, electrodes—even artistic or e-stim designs.
How Conductive Rubber Works in Practice
Imagine a flexible cable or pad that bends with the body yet still completes a circuit. That’s conductive rubber in action. The internal conductive network keeps electrons moving even while the outer material stretches or compresses. Because it can be moulded or printed into almost any shape, it’s ideal for creating custom connectors, electrodes, and flexible contact points.
You not only get lengths of conductive rubber in various sizes, for instance 4mm, 6mm, 6.3mm and 8mm. You can also get some handy flat profiles that make great e-stim electrodes, like our Omega conductive rubber.
In short, conductive rubber turns soft materials into living parts of an electrical system—no sharp edges or metal fatigue to worry about.
Applications You’ll Actually See
- Medical and wearable tech – comfortable electrodes that move with skin.
- Automotive and aerospace – vibration-resistant seals and gaskets.
- Consumer electronics – keypads, anti-static mats, flexible connectors.
- E-stim gear – smooth, flexible contact surfaces for controlled sensations. We specialise in developing incredible electrodes made from conductive rubber.
Storage and Care Tips
- Keep away from direct sunlight—UV can degrade the rubber over time.
- Store below 40 °C to avoid softening or discolouration.
- Inspect regularly for cracks or residue before use.
- Clean with warm, soapy water.
- Try not to stretch or pull on conductive rubber, as this breaks the bonds between the conductive particles, causing it to wear out.
Does Conductive Rubber Wear Out?
Yes, it does over time. Repeated misuse, stretching, bending, and day-to-day wear and tear all take their toll on the bonds between the conductive filler, wearing it out.
This causes the resistance to rise, and the clearest indicator is that your loops seem to need more and more power over time to achieve a given sensation. This is because the internal resistance is rising, so more power is required to use the electrode.
The good news, though, is that you can give worn-out conductive rubber a new lease of life by threading wire through its core. It is even worth doing this with new CR to increase its lifespan.
Solid wire stiffens the conductive rubber, allowing you to form it into neat electrode shapes. Braided wire maintains flexibility while aiding current flow.
Lead-free solder can be used, and that is the middle ground between flexibility and stiffness. It is worth experimenting to see which works best for you.
In Summary
Conductive rubber blends science and comfort—part polymer, part conductor, all versatility. As an e-stim electrode material, its flexibility can't be beat, and it can be used effectively. This material is worth understanding.
Explore our range of conductive rubber products →
Meta description: Learn what conductive rubber is, how it works, and why it’s used in everything from electronics to e-stim. Discover the science behind flexible conductivity.