AEM vs Silicone
Polymer · grade comparison
AEM and Silicone are both polymer grades. AEM is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Silicone, about 63% more. In exchange, Silicone is the more ductile: elongation 500% versus 250% for AEM. Silicone is lighter (1.15 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for AEM) and AEM is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, Silicone sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than AEM (high, $$$$).
AEMChoose it when strength drives the design.
SiliconeChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
AEM vs Silicone: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.49
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Polishability
Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 180°C356 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AEM | Silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Medical Grade |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| EMI Shielding Coating | — | Yes |
| Soft Touch Coating | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| UV Coating | — | Yes |
AEM vs Silicone — frequently asked
Is AEM stronger than Silicone?
Yes. AEM has a typical tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Silicone — about 63% more.
Which is cheaper, AEM or Silicone?
Silicone is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while AEM is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, AEM or Silicone?
AEM, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for Silicone; for welding the order is Silicone first (poor, 20/100) then AEM (not recommended, 12/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AEM and Silicone side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.