10 Misconceptions About Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) – Debunked
10 Misconceptions About Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) – Debunked
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) has become a game-changing material used across industries such as medical devices, baby care, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial sealing components.
Yet, many misconceptions remain, causing engineers, designers, and procurement managers to misunderstand its properties and applications.
At SILICONEPLUS, we are committed to providing clarity. Let’s uncover the 10 most common misconceptions about silicone rubber, plus one bonus myth, and reveal the truth.
1. Silicone Is a Chemical Element or Ingredient
Misconception: Silicone is a natural element like silicon.
Truth: Silicone is not a raw element but a synthetic polymer derived from silica (sand). It combines the stability of inorganic materials with the flexibility of organic compounds, making it ideal for custom silicone molding and LSR injection applications.
2. Silicone Rubbers Are Synthetic Materials Only
Misconception: Silicone is entirely artificial.
Truth: While silicone rubbers are man-made, they are derived from naturally abundant quartz sand, ensuring both biocompatibility and sustainability. That’s why medical grade silicone and food grade silicone are globally trusted.
3. Silicone Rubbers Can Only Be Processed at High Temperatures
Misconception: LSR molding requires extreme heat.
Truth: LSR is highly versatile. It can be processed through LSR injection molding, compression molding, and overmolding, supporting applications from baby bottle nipples to automotive gaskets.
4. Silicone Rubbers Are Tacky
Misconception: Silicone products are always sticky.
Truth: High-quality LSR products are smooth, non-tacky, and skin-friendly. With advanced surface finishing, silicone can achieve a soft-touch texture, making it perfect for wearables, implants, and beauty devices.
5. Silicone Rubbers Are Soft and Flexible Only
Misconception: Silicone is weak because it’s soft.
Truth: Silicone rubbers range from ultra-soft gels to high-durometer grades. This versatility allows for both delicate medical seals and durable industrial gaskets.
6. Silicone Rubbers Generate a Lot of Fumes When They Burn
Misconception: Silicone releases toxic smoke.
Truth: Silicone rubbers are flame-retardant and produce minimal smoke compared to plastics. Many LSR compounds meet UL94 V-0 standards, making them ideal for electronics and automotive components.
7. Silicone Rubbers Contribute to Atmospheric Contamination
Misconception: Silicone manufacturing pollutes the air.
Truth: LSR is eco-friendly and inert. It does not release harmful chemicals during use, and SILICONEPLUS operates in ISO-certified cleanrooms to ensure safe and sustainable production.
8. Silicone Rubbers Take Thousands of Years to Degrade
Misconception: Silicone is like plastic and lasts forever.
Truth: Unlike plastics, silicone does not fragment into microplastics. It is chemically stable and recyclable, making it a sustainable material choice.
9. Silicone Rubbers Cause Allergies and Irritations
Misconception: Silicone products trigger skin rashes.
Truth: Medical grade silicone is hypoallergenic, biocompatible, and FDA-approved. That’s why it’s used in catheters, prosthetics, baby teethers, and cosmetic devices.
10. Silicone Rubbers Bioaccumulate in the Human Body
Misconception: Silicone builds up in tissues.
Truth: Silicone is non-toxic, inert, and non-reactive. It does not accumulate in the body and is safely used in implants, pacemakers, and wound care products.
Bonus Misconception: Silicone Rubbers Cause Disease
Misconception: Long-term exposure leads to illness.
Truth: Decades of research and certifications such as FDA, ISO 10993, and USP Class VI confirm that LSR does not cause disease. On the contrary, it enables safer medical innovations.
Choose SILICONEPLUS for LSR Components
At SILICONEPLUS, we specialize in LSR injection molding and medical grade silicone solutions. With more than 24 years of expertise, advanced cleanroom facilities, and complete OEM/ODM services, we help customers move seamlessly from concept to mass production.
Why choose us?
Certified medical and food grade materials (FDA, ISO, RoHS, REACH)
Custom silicone prototyping and full-scale production
High-precision multi-cavity injection molding for cost efficiency
Trusted by industries in medical, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial applications
Contact us today to explore how our Liquid Silicone Rubber expertise can accelerate your next project.
Website:www.siliconeplus.net
Email：sales11@siliconeplus.net.
Phone：13420974883
Wechat:13420974883
