Although often confused in everyday life, silicone and plastic are in fact two different materials. They differ in terms of chemistry, characteristics and applications, so it is important to understand the difference between the two in order to choose the right one.
First let’s understand the chemicals in silicone and plastic:
Silicone is a polymer composed of silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. It belongs to the siloxane family, and its main components are silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) Its structure is similar to natural rubber, but its chemical properties are more complex. Silicone has high thermal, elastic, thermal and anti-aging properties, so it is widely used in medical and pediatric applications. Kitchen equipment, food standards, electronics and boards and more.
Plastic is a natural product made from petroleum-based products (such as ethylene, propylene, etc.) through oxidation. It is mainly divided into two types: thermal plastic and thermal insulating plastic. Plastic is known to be lightweight, easy to manufacture, and corrosion-resistant, and is widely used in packaging, buildings, automobiles, and electronics. The most common plastics include polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
What is the difference between silicone and plastic:
Thermal stability:
The melting point of silicone is much higher than that of most plastics and can withstand temperatures from -60°C to 300°C;
Most plastics will melt or become too hot For example, regular polyethylene and polypropylene will soften at 80°C to 120°C.
Environmental protection:
Silicone is an environmentally friendly and durable material that can decompose into harmless substances at high temperatures;
The production and disposal of plastic often produces pollutants, especially non-biodegradable plastics, which are the most damaging to the environment.
Flexibility:
Silicone has excellent ductility and flexibility and can maintain its performance even at very low temperatures so silicone materials are generally very durable;
Plastic deformation varies depending on the type of material Some plastics such as polyethylene have some elasticity, but most plastics tend to break down at low temperatures and have a small diameter.
Differences between silicone and plastic applications:
Because of its high safety and durability, silicone is often used in medical devices, baby products (baby toys, feeding set, teething toys, silicone bath toys，baby plates) and 'kitchen utensils (such as Silicone Air Fryer Liners, silicone baking mold, spatula，silicone tools, etc.) . At the same time, it is widely used for sealing and protecting electronic components.
Plastics are widely used in everyday life due to their low cost and ease of production, including single-use plastics, beverage bottles, household utensils, and so on. However, due to the increasing amount of plastic waste, sustainability and environmental issues have also attracted global attention.
So while silicone and plastic may sometimes look similar in appearance and application, they are two different materials. Compared to similar products, I think silicone products are better than plastic ones. Furthermore, silicone materials are more efficient, environmentally friendly, and much more durable than plastic materials. Hopefully, the above explanation will help you differentiate between silicone and plastic.
