Poron vs Silicone
Polymer · grade comparison
Poron and Silicone are both polymer grades. Silicone is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) for Poron, about 8.0 times as much. Silicone is the more ductile: elongation 500% versus 150% for Poron. Poron is lighter (0.32 g/cm³ vs 1.15 g/cm³ for Silicone) and Silicone is stiffer (0 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, Poron machines more easily (very good vs poor) and Poron sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silicone (premium, $$$).
PoronChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
SiliconeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Poron 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
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
Formability (cold)
Weldability
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
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)
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 | Poron | Silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Standard | Medical Grade |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for Injection molding. Both take the same 5 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, UV Coating.
Poron vs Silicone — frequently asked
Is Silicone stronger than Poron?
Yes. Silicone has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) for Poron — about 8.0 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Poron or Silicone?
Poron 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, Poron or Silicone?
Poron. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (20/100) for Silicone.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Poron 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.