Doit Tips: How to Pick Silicone Rubber

2025,10,30

Core Conclusion: The high failure rate of Rubber

Research and industry experience show that 80% of Rubber products will malfunction. The main problems include rapid degradation, loss of elasticity, and the generation of unpleasant odors. Frequent replacement is required, which not only increases costs but also causes inconvenience. In terms of reliability, it is far inferior to Silicone.

Comparison of Key Dimensions between Rubber and Silicone

Comparison dimension	Rubber	Silicone
Durability	It has a relatively short lifespan and is prone to failure due to usage or environmental factors	It has better durability and can maintain its form and function even after long-term use
Temperature resistance	It becomes brittle or deformed at extreme temperatures and loses its original properties	It can withstand extreme cold and heat, and its performance remains stable in high and low temperature environments
Environmental resistance	It is greatly affected by UV ultraviolet rays and ozone, and is prone to cracking and aging when used outdoors	Uv-resistant and ozone-resistant, suitable for outdoor scenarios and less likely to be damaged by environmental exposure
Safety	The food-grade attribute is not explicitly mentioned, and there is a risk of chemical substance leaching	Mostly food-grade and BPA-free, it is especially suitable for scenarios such as coffee machines and food storage
Maintenance cost	It is difficult to clean and prone to staining. Frequent replacement is required and the long-term cost is high	Easy to clean and stain-resistant; Although upfront is costly, its durability makes it more cost-effective in the long run
Applicable scenarios	Emphasizing elasticity and shock absorption, it is suitable for basic scenarios without extreme environments	Suitable for scenarios with high reliability requirements such as high/low temperatures, outdoors, and food contact

Rubber raw materials

Silicone raw material

Causes and Improvement Directions for the High Failure Rate of Rubber

1.The main cause of failure

Material quality: Low-grade Rubber is prone to premature failure.

Production process: Manufacturing processes that do not follow industry standards affect product stability.

Quality control deficiency: Lack of strict testing leads to faulty products entering the market.

Application mismatch: Rubber with incompatible attributes not selected based on the usage scenario.

Lagging technology: Failing to keep up with the latest technologies and improvement plans in the industry.

2. Improvement suggestions

Give priority to purchasing high-grade Rubber materials.

Standardize the production process and comply with industry standards.

Establish a strict testing and quality control system.

Precisely select the Rubber type based on application requirements.

Keep up with new technologies in the industry and continuously optimize products.

Final Selection Suggestions

If high reliability, long service life and adaptability to complex environments (such as high temperature, outdoor or food contact) are in pursuit, Silicone should be given priority as it offers better long-term cost performance.

If it is only used in basic elasticity and shock absorption scenarios and is not affected by extreme environments, Rubber can be considered, but it needs to accept a higher replacement frequency and a higher risk of failure.

When in doubt, you can first try out small-sized products and make decisions based on your actual usage experience.

(For more material selection suggestions, please contact us:jack_pan@doitrubber.com)

Author:

Mr. Jack Pan

E-mail:

jack_pan@doitrubber.com

Phone/WhatsApp:

+86 15976889589