Introduction: Not All Silicone Is Created Equal!
“Why do silicone rubber products with similar appearances have a 10x price gap?”
This common client puzzle stems from a critical oversight: Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and Solid Silicone Rubber (HTV) belong to the same family but differ radically in material properties, processes, and applications. As a 15-year silicone product manufacturer, we break down the selection logic in this guide.
1、Core Differences: Material to Manufacturing
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
Material Form: Flowable liquid (two-part A/B component injection)
Key Process:
✅ Liquid Injection Molding (LIM) – Fully automated, zero waste
✅ High-temp curing (120–200°C), ultra-short cycles (as low as 15 sec)
Typical Products:
High-precision medical catheters, baby bottle nipples
Smart wearables sealing rings
Optical-grade transparent lenses
Solid Silicone Rubber (HTV)
Material Form: Solid bales (requires compounding and vulcanization)
Key Process:
✅ Compression molding/extrusion – Labor-intensive, material waste
✅ Press curing (3–15 min/cycle)
Typical Products:
Kitchen bakeware, silicone mats
Industrial gaskets, keypads
Low-cost OEM components
2. Head-to-Head: 4 Critical Comparison Factors
| Criteria | Liquid Silicone (LSR) | Solid Silicone |
| Precision | ±0.01mm (0.2mm ultra-thin walls) | ±0.1mm (simple geometries) |
| Production Speed | Full automation, 100K+ pcs/day | Semi-automated, labor-dependent |
| Cost | High mold cost (tool steel), low per-unit at scale | High mold cost (tool steel), low per-unit at scale |
| Performance | High transparency, superior tear resistance | Wide hardness range (Shore A 10-80) |
▶ Key Takeaway:
Choose LSR for: Medical/food-grade, complex designs, high-volume production.
Choose Solid Silicone for: Cost-sensitive projects, custom hardness, fast prototyping.
3. Industry-Specific Insights
Case 1: Medical Piercing Plugs
Pain Point: Particle shedding with traditional solid silicone.
LSR Solution: Seamless mold filling, no parting lines, 50% higher sterility assurance.
Case 2: Viral Kitchenware
Client Mistake: Overpaying for “LSR” branding unnecessarily.
Our Fix: Solid silicone + food-grade vulcanizing agents cut costs by 30% while meeting standards.
Closing: Fit Over Fancy
“We helped a client slash LSR part costs from ¥8 to ¥3.5—not by changing processes, but by aligning with real needs.”