Silicone vs TPE
Polymer · grade comparison
Silicone and TPE are both polymer grades. Silicone is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.09 ksi) for TPE, about 7% more. TPE is lighter (0.96 g/cm³ vs 1.15 g/cm³ for Silicone) and TPE is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, TPE welds better (good vs poor) and TPE sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silicone (premium, $$$).
SiliconeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
TPEChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.
Silicone vs TPE: 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)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Shore A
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore D
Same in both: Tear Strength 25 kN/m143 lbf/in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · 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)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Melt Flow Rate
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)
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 | Silicone | TPE |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Medical Grade | Shore A 30 to Shore A 90 |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| 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.
Silicone vs TPE — frequently asked
Is Silicone stronger than TPE?
Yes. Silicone has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.09 ksi) for TPE — about 7% more.
Which is cheaper, Silicone or TPE?
TPE 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, Silicone or TPE?
TPE, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for Silicone; for welding the order is TPE first (good, 65/100) then Silicone (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Silicone and TPE 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.