My friends, for those who do foreign trade of plastic particles, one of the most frequently asked questions by customers is: “Is silicone plastic?” Here is the answer directly: silicone is really not plastic!They are like cousins, they look a bit similar (both are soft and hard materials), but they are completely different in nature. If you choose the wrong one, the product may have problems and your money will be wasted!
1. Different skeletons determine different “fates”
Plastic: Mainly rely on “carbon atoms” to form a skeleton, and the raw material is oil and natural gas. Common ones like PE (plastic bags), PP (lunch boxes), and PVC (water pipes) are all from the plastic family. Features: low cost, easy processing, and many styles.
Silicone: Its skeleton is “silicon atoms” and “oxygen atoms” hand in hand (silicon oxygen bonds), and the raw material is quartz sand. Features: resistant to tossing, safer, and more environmentally friendly.
2. Performance PK, which one is more suitable for your product?
Want to know whether to choose silicone or plastic? See which of them can “carry things”:
High temperature/low temperature resistant king: silicone!
Silicone: It won’t freeze hard at -60 degrees, and won’t melt at 250 degrees (or even higher)! It’s perfect for oven molds, auto parts, and seals.
Plastics: Most of them are afraid of heat. They become soft or even melt and deform at over 100 degrees (think of a plastic spoon in hot soup). They also become brittle at low temperatures.
Safety and environmental protection model: Silicone!
Silicone: It’s naturally “honest”, non-toxic and tasteless, and its chemical properties are very stable. You can use it for baby pacifiers, medical catheters, and food-grade tools, and don’t worry! It emits white smoke when burned, which is relatively environmentally friendly.
Plastics: Some plastics (especially cheap ones) may contain additives, and they may “fall apart” (precipitate harmful substances) at high temperatures or for a long time. It produces billowing black smoke when burned, causing great pollution and is difficult to degrade.
Comfortable feel: Silicone!
Silicone: It’s like gummy candy, elastic and soft, comfortable to touch, and tear-resistant. Mobile phone cases, wristbands, and sex toys are all good experiences.
Plastic: Most of them are hard, brittle, less elastic, and feel stiff (but there are also soft ones, such as TPE, but that’s another story).
Price and cost: Plastic wins!
Plastic: The biggest advantage! Cheap and large quantity, low cost is the king for disposable products, packaging bags, and ordinary household items.
Silicone: The raw material and production costs are much higher than ordinary plastics (20%-50% more expensive is normal), so it is used on the “blade”.
3. Don’t be confused when buying materials, look here!
Situations where you can choose silicone with your eyes closed:
To contact the mouth (pacifier, teether), food (baking mold, steamer pad), medical (tube, gasket) – safety first!
To be put into the oven, steamer, microwave, or used in high temperature places such as the engine compartment – heat-resistant!
Want a soft and durable product (high-end mobile phone case, sealing strip) – experience and life!
Situations where it is more cost-effective to choose plastic:
Making disposable items (bags, cups, packaging films) – cheap is the bottom line!
Making ordinary household items (washbasins, trash cans, hangers), the heat resistance requirements are not high – just enough is enough!
The product shape is complex and requires large-scale low-cost production – efficiency first!
Silicone is not plastic!They each have their own territory. Choosing materials is like wearing clothes, wearing an apron for eating (silicone is oil-resistant and heat-resistant), and wearing a coat when going out (plastic is light and cheap). Understanding the purpose is the key!As a reliable granule supplier, helping customers choose the right materials can ensure long-term business!