The difference between plastic and silicone.

In our daily lives, almost everyone comes into contact with plastic and silicone products every day. So what is the difference between the two? Today, the silicone editor will briefly discuss the most basic differences and differentiation methods between the two.

Plastic is a general term for a type of polymer material that has plasticity under certain conditions. It is generally divided into thermosetting plastics and thermoplastic plastics based on its thermal melting properties. It is one of the world's three major organic polymer materials (plastic, rubber, and fiber). The English name for plastic is plastic, commonly known as plastic.

Silica gel alias: silicic acid gel, a highly active adsorption material, is an amorphous substance. The main component of silicone is silicon dioxide, which is chemically stable and non combustible. The English name is Silica gel, and the chemical formula is mSiO2 · nH2O.

The differences between them are as follows:

1. Through tactile sensation, plastic products are relatively hard, while silicone products are relatively soft and comfortable to touch with elasticity.

2. By distinguishing by appearance and color, plastic products are not as transparent when made, while silicone products look more transparent and have bright colors.

3. Testing through high-temperature methods: Plastic products can only withstand temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius before starting to melt, while silicone products can withstand temperatures of over 200 degrees Celsius without any physical changes.

4. When burning with an open flame, plastic products will melt and produce a pungent odor, while silicone products will produce a white ash like powder after burning and will not produce a pungent odor. Silicone is non-toxic and odorless, while plastic products are different.

Overall, silicone is superior to plastic in terms of physiological inertness, chemical stability, environmental friendliness, aging resistance, service life, flexibility, slip resistance, shock resistance, elasticity, insulation, tear resistance, and fade resistance. However, silicone cannot be repeatedly molded and does not dissolve in solvents when heated. Plastic can undergo flow deformation when heated, and can maintain a certain shape after cooling. It is easy to carry out molding processes such as extrusion, injection, or blow molding. Within a certain temperature range, it can be repeatedly heated and cooled to harden. In short, each with its own advantages and disadvantages is an indispensable raw material for various manufacturing industries.