A Comparison Between Santoprene and Silicone
Posted on: 20 March 2018
Manufacturers who would like to switch from synthetic rubber to other materials with better attributes may select between silicone and TPV Santoprene. The particular material selected should be based on one's requirements relative to the attributes of these two elastomeric materials. This article compares those two materials so that you can make an informed decision when selecting the one to use during your manufacturing processes.
Wastage
It is sometimes inevitable that some wastes will be produced during the process of making products from raw materials. For example, excess materials may be cut from the edges of a finished product in order to keep it within the design specifications. The wastes generated as products are made from silicone have to be discarded in a landfill because the solid material cannot be melted again for use during other production runs.
In contrast, TPV Santoprene can be melted as many times as one desires without any change in the properties of the material. The wastes can therefore be reused in subsequent production runs. This makes Santoprene a better choice in terms of optimum raw material usage.
Human Contact
Silicone is a better choice in case you intend to make products that will be in contact with the human body, such as gloves. Silicone is chemically stable and doesn't cause any allergic reactions upon contact with human skin or tissues. However, TPV Santoprene can cause some allergic reactions in some individuals due to the tendency of the material to leak some oily substance when it is subjected to pressure.
Processing Equipment Needed
The same equipment that one can use when processing ordinary plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride, can also be used to make products from TPV Santoprene. You may therefore avoid the expense of investing in new injection moulding equipment if that is what you already have at your manufacturing facility.
People who intend to use silicones during manufacturing processes have to invest in new equipment. This capital outlay may be too high for some facilities which have to implement other upgrades to the manufacturing plant.
Temperature Tolerance
Both materials exhibit a high degree of resistance to high temperatures. However, silicones will generally survive much higher temperatures than TPV Santoprene. This makes silicones a better option for conditions in which the fabricated product will be exposed to extremely high temperatures.
As you can see, silicones and TPV Santoprene are closely related in terms of their properties. However, their subtle differences can make one material better suited for a given application instead of the other material. Make the right choice by discussing your needs with an expert so that you can benefit from a professional's input during the selection process.
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