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Different hardness of silicone products application fields

🕙 2024-08-29 👆

Silicone products with different hardness levels are tailored to specific applications based on their physical properties. Here's a breakdown of typical applications for silicones across various hardness levels:

1. Soft Silicones (Shore A 10 to 20)

· Medical Devices: Soft silicones are ideal for skin-contact applications, such as medical tubing, catheters, and implants, where comfort and flexibility are crucial.

· Cushioning and Padding: Used in products like gel insoles, soft grips, and padding for protective gear.

· Prosthetics: Provides a lifelike feel and flexibility, making them suitable for artificial limbs and soft tissue prosthetics.

· Cosmetic Applications: Used in products like makeup sponges and applicators for their gentle texture.

2. Medium-Hardness Silicones (Shore A 30 to 50)

· Seals and Gaskets: Commonly used in general-purpose seals and gaskets that require a balance of flexibility and durability, such as in plumbing and household appliances.

· Flexible Molds: Ideal for making molds for casting resins, soaps, candles, and food products due to their flexibility and ease of demolding.

· Wearable Devices: Used in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable electronics where a balance of comfort and durability is needed.

3. Firm Silicones (Shore A 60 to 80)

· Automotive Components: Used in firmer seals, gaskets, and hoses in automotive applications where higher resistance to pressure and wear is needed.

· Industrial Seals: Utilized in more demanding sealing applications, such as in machinery, where components are exposed to high temperatures and pressures.

· Kitchenware: Found in products like spatulas, baking mats, and other utensils that need to be firm yet flexible enough to withstand heat and maintain shape.

4. Hard Silicones (Shore A 90 and above)

· Industrial Components: Used in very tough, wear-resistant components such as rollers, wheels, and heavy-duty gaskets.

· Electrical Insulators: Hard silicones are used in high-voltage insulators and other electrical components due to their durability and excellent insulating properties.

· Structural Applications: Used in applications requiring high rigidity and strength, such as in some mechanical parts or structural seals.

5. Rigid Silicones (Shore D 30 to 70)

· Precision Parts: Used in the manufacture of rigid components that require precise dimensions and high strength, such as in some automotive and aerospace parts.

· Hard Tooling: Applied in creating durable molds and dies for industrial manufacturing processes.

· Protective Housings: Used in protective housings for electronics and other sensitive equipment where impact resistance and rigidity are necessary.

Summary

· Soft Silicones (Shore A 10-20): Medical devices, cushioning, prosthetics, cosmetics.

· Medium-Hardness Silicones (Shore A 30-50): Seals, gaskets, molds, wearable devices.

· Firm Silicones (Shore A 60-80): Automotive components, industrial seals, kitchenware.

· Hard Silicones (Shore A 90+): Industrial components, electrical insulators, structural applications.

· Rigid Silicones (Shore D 30-70): Precision parts, hard tooling, protective housings.

The hardness of silicone is a critical factor in determining its suitability for specific applications, allowing manufacturers to select the ideal material properties for their needs.