In modern industry and daily life, silicone products are widely used in various fields due to their unique physical and chemical properties, from kitchen supplies to electronic product accessories, from medical equipment to children’s toys. The presence of silicone products is ubiquitous. Choosing the appropriate material for customizing silicone products not only affects the functionality of the product, but also directly impacts its safety, durability, and user experience.
1、 Basic characteristics of silicone gel
Silicone, also known as silicone rubber, is a highly active adsorbent material that belongs to the amorphous state. It is insoluble in water and any solvent, non-toxic and odorless, chemically stable, and does not react with any substance except strong alkali and hydrofluoric acid. Its unique flexibility, high temperature resistance, low temperature resistance, oxidation resistance, ozone resistance, radiation resistance, and electrical insulation properties enable silicone products to maintain good performance in various environments.
2、 Classification of Silicone Materials
Silicone materials can be roughly divided into four categories: ordinary silicone, food grade silicone, medical grade silicone, and special performance silicone (such as conductive silicone, flame-retardant silicone, etc.).
Ordinary silicone: suitable for general industrial products such as seals, buttons, etc., with relatively low cost, but not suitable for direct contact with food or medical use.
Food grade silicone: Complies with international food safety standards such as FDA and LFGB, is non-toxic and harmless, and can be used to make silicone products that come into direct contact with food such as tableware, kitchenware, and baby pacifiers.
Medical grade silicone: It has higher requirements than food grade silicone and requires medical grade certification such as ISO10993. It is used for the production of medical devices, human implants, etc. It has strict requirements for biocompatibility and sterility.
Special performance silicone: designed according to specific requirements, such as conductive silicone used for sealing and conductive connections in electronic products, and flame-retardant silicone used for occasions requiring fire safety.
3、 Application scenario considerations
When choosing silicone material, it is necessary to fully consider the application scenarios and requirements of the product:
1. Temperature resistance range: Select the appropriate silicone type based on the temperature range of the product’s usage environment. For example, products working in high temperature environments should use high-temperature resistant silicone gel.
2. Contact medium: If the product needs to come into direct contact with food, drugs, or the human body, food grade or medical grade silicone must be selected.
3. Physical properties: Select the appropriate silicone formula based on the physical properties requirements such as hardness, tensile strength, and tear strength of the product.
4. Special properties: If special properties such as conductivity, flame retardancy, and anti-static are required, corresponding special performance silicone gel should be selected.
4、 Customized process
1. Requirement analysis: Clarify the product’s usage scenarios, functional requirements, safety standards, etc., providing a basis for material selection.
2. Material selection: Based on the requirements analysis results, select the most suitable material from the silicone material classification.
3. Design confirmation: Based on the selected material, design the product, including shape, size, structure, etc., to ensure that the design meets the material characteristics and production process requirements.
4. Sample production: Produce samples for verification, check whether the material properties meet the design requirements, and evaluate production costs and feasibility.
5. Batch production: After the sample is approved, it enters the batch production stage, strictly controlling the quality of the production process to ensure that each batch of products meets the standards.
5、 Precautions
1. Supplier qualification: Select qualified and reputable silicone product manufacturers to ensure reliable raw material sources and compliant production processes.
2. Environmental requirements: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, choose silicone materials that comply with environmental directives such as RoHS and REACH to reduce their impact on the environment.
3. Cost control: Reasonably control costs and avoid unnecessary waste while ensuring product quality.
4. Post maintenance: Understanding the maintenance methods of silicone products, extending their service life, and reducing replacement frequency are also factors that need to be considered when choosing materials.
6、 Case sharing
Taking children’s silicone tableware as an example, these products come into direct contact with food and children’s mouths, so food grade silicone must be selected. When designing, considering the safety and fun of children’s use, tableware with bright colors and cute shapes can be designed, while ensuring smooth edges without sharp angles to avoid scratches. During the production process, the proportion of raw materials and vulcanization temperature are strictly controlled to ensure that tableware is non-toxic, odorless, heat-resistant, and not easily deformed. In addition, considering the usage habits of children, the handle part of the tableware can be designed in an easy to grip shape, increasing the convenience and comfort of use.
7、 Conclusion
Choosing the appropriate silicone material for customization is a process that comprehensively considers various factors such as application scenarios, performance requirements, and cost budgets. By deeply understanding the basic characteristics and material classification of silicone, combined with specific application scenarios, making scientific and reasonable choices can not only enhance the market competitiveness of the product, but also better ensure the safety and experience of users.