The difference between silicone products and TPE products.

The difference between silicone products and TPE products, in daily life and industrial production, silicone products and TPE products are widely used because of their unique properties. However, many people are not clear about the difference between the two materials. Small series will analyze the difference between silicone products and TPE products from the aspects of material characteristics, application fields, advantages and disadvantages, etc., to help you better understand the two materials.

1. Material composition and type
Silicone (silicone rubber)

Ingredients: Organic silicon polymer (polysiloxane) with inorganic silicon oxygen bonds (Si-O) as the main chain.

Type: Belonging to thermosetting materials, it needs to be cured through vulcanization (cross-linking) and cannot be processed repeatedly.

TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)

Ingredients: A blend of various thermoplastic elastomers such as SBS, SEBS, TPU, TPV, etc.

Type: Belongs to thermoplastic materials, can be repeatedly processed after heating and melting, and can be recycled and reused.

2. Processing technology
silicone rubber

Process: It requires mixing, vulcanization molding (molding, extrusion, injection), high mold cost, and long cycle.

Waste disposal: Non recyclable, scrap materials are directly discarded.

TPE

Process: It can be directly injection molded or extruded without vulcanization, with high processing efficiency and suitable for complex structures.

Waste disposal: can be crushed and reused to reduce costs.

3. Cost and Economy
Silicone: High raw material prices (high cost of silicone monomers), high processing energy consumption, suitable for small batch high value-added products.

TPE： Low material cost, short processing cycle, suitable for large-scale production (such as daily necessities, toys).

4. Environmental friendliness
Silicone: non-toxic and odorless, can pass food grade certifications such as FDA and LFGB, and produces harmless silicon dioxide when burned.

TPE： Environmentally friendly TPE can meet ROHS/REACH standards, but some contain plasticizers or fillers that need to be carefully selected.

Summarize
Silicone is known for its high performance and durability, while TPE wins with its ease of processing and cost advantages. Choosing suitable materials based on specific needs such as temperature, elasticity, environmental friendliness, and budget is crucial.