Differences Between PVC and Silicone
- Environmental Friendliness: Both meet international environmental standards for toy products. However, silicone is more superior as it can comply with food-grade environmental standards. That's why you'll find silicone used in items like ice cube trays, cake molds, and baby bottles, whereas PVC is rarely used in direct contact with food.
- Melting Point and Heat Resistance: Silicone has a higher melting point and better heat resistance. PVC products tend to exude oil and become sticky on the surface when exposed to high temperatures exceeding daily levels for a long time, which doesn't happen with silicone. For this reason, silicone is commonly used for labels on swimwear or swim caps, while PVC is sufficient for auxiliary accessories on regular clothing, such as sewn labels and zipper pulls.
- Price: For small quantities, the unit price difference is negligible, but the mold cost for silicone is much higher than that for PVC—often several times higher or even more. For large quantities, the overall cost difference becomes insignificant.
- Design Adaptability: PVC is more suitable for products with complex designs, while silicone has lower adaptability to complex structures.
- Surface Treatment: Given its higher price, silicone products are usually coated with a matte textured oil once, giving them a more premium feel. PVC products, unless specifically requested by the customer, do not undergo this coating process.
- Appearance: PVC products appear relatively rough compared to silicone ones. Silicone products have a smooth surface and a lustrous finish.
- Manufacturing Process: PVC products are made by mixing polyvinyl chloride, oil, and color paste. The raw materials are processed into products through the micro-injection drip molding process (heating and cooling). Silicone products, on the other hand, only require mixing silicone with color masterbatch and other chemical elements using a rubber mixer, followed by heating and cooling molding in a mold with an oil press.
- Hand Feel: Silicone products are soft, with good toughness and elasticity. PVC soft rubber is relatively harder. While the hardness of both can be adjusted, PVC lacks toughness.
- Combustion Performance: Silicone products are generally more transparent. When burned, they produce little odor and turn into powder. PVC products, however, turn black when burned and emit an unpleasant smell.
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