Silicone Kitchenware: A Comprehensive Introduction to Hardness and Softness

Silicone is a versatile material known for its strong softness and numerous applications across different industries. However, it's important to note that not all silicone products have the same texture or softness level. This can be observed in silicone kitchen utensils such as spoons and cake molds, which have varying degrees of softness. Choosing the right hardness and softness for your kitchenware is crucial in achieving the desired performance and function.

Many designers and amateur engineers often struggle with this decision when incorporating silicone into their product designs. It's important to strike a balance between hardness and softness, as an overly soft material can lead to instability and food spillage, while a material that's too hard may not feel comfortable to use and could be prone to brittleness and tearing.

Silicone kitchenware has certain structural problems like other silicone rubber products. When choosing silicone kitchenware first, if the product structure is too complicated and has certain It is not recommended to use high-hardness materials if the buckle or right-angle and the product is too thin. On the contrary, the hardness can be reduced, and the softer it is, the less it will affect the tearing phenomenon! However, if the main structure of the product is simple and requires force effects, it is recommended to increase the hardness to achieve the actual support strength without affecting it.

Silicone rubber product raw material hardness standard

Silicone kitchen utensils are typically made from solid silicone rubber materials that can withstand temperatures between 30-90 degrees. Commonly available silicone tableware, such as cake molds and bowls, have a hardness of approximately 50 degrees ± 5 degrees. Meanwhile, silicone spoons and scrapers are typically made with a hardness of around 80 degrees ± 5 degrees. However, a new material can reach up to 90 degrees, which is similar to the hardness of TPR, PET, and other materials. If you are customizing silicone tableware, it is recommended that you consult with silicone product manufacturers to explore similar products for selection and comparison.

One disadvantage of silicone products is that the higher the hardness of the product, the more challenging it becomes to process. This can result in various issues such as brittleness, parting line bursts, unfamiliar shapes, and difficulty releasing the product. Products with undercuts and right angles are more prone to these defects.

The effects of different hardness of silicone products

The hardness of silicone products affects their extrusion strength, tear resistance, constant elongation stress, wear resistance, fatigue, and elasticity. Low-hardness products decrease in strength while high-hardness products increase. Higher hardness weakens tear resistance, but lower hardness improves it. Different hardness affects the product's tensile deformation and elasticity, which can impact the entire product's use.