BIIR vs Silicone
Polymer · grade comparison
BIIR and Silicone are both polymer grades. BIIR is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 11 MPa (1.6 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Silicone, about 38% more. BIIR is stiffer (0 GPa vs 0 GPa) and Silicone runs hotter in service (200°C vs 130°C continuous). On the shop floor, BIIR machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and BIIR sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silicone (premium, $$$).
BIIRChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
SiliconeChoose it when the part sees heat.
BIIR 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Same in both: Elongation at Break 500%
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)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
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
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
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 | BIIR | Silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Medical Grade |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ 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 |
BIIR vs Silicone — frequently asked
Is BIIR stronger than Silicone?
Yes. BIIR has a typical tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Silicone — about 38% more.
Which is cheaper, BIIR or Silicone?
BIIR is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Silicone is premium ($$$). 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, BIIR or Silicone?
BIIR, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for Silicone; for welding the order is BIIR first (poor, 25/100) then Silicone (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BIIR 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.