Silicone is often cured to produce different silicone types with peroxide and platinum curing being the most popular, but what is the difference between platinum cured silicone and peroxide cured silicone? After curing, the silicone rubber will have different chemical properties, depending on what it has been cured with. In this blog, we’ll take a quick look at both silicone curing processes to see what the differences are.
Platinum Cured Silicone
Platinum cured silicone sheeting and tubing is non-yellowing and has a clearer appearance than peroxide cured silicone. It is preferred by the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries due to its transparency and lack of peroxide by-products.
This type of silicone has better tensile and tear strength. It can be used without talc and is generally considered to be the cleaner silicone. However, it is more difficult to create because of the fairly high temperatures required to cure the silicone. For manufacturers, the compound is also more expensive to buy and once mixed, must be moulded within 24-36 hours.
Peroxide Cured Silicone
Peroxide cured silicone sheeting and tubing can be more cost-effective than platinum cured type, as the raw ingredients are cheaper to acquire and so the finished pro, therefore, be sold at a lower price. It is also easier to produce, thanks to the lower temperatures that are needed to cure the silicone. The peroxide cure gives the silicone a longer shelf life and can be used for a longer period.
However, unlike platinum compound, peroxide silicone can go yellow over time, this is due to the peroxide catalyst. Platinum is a lot clearer and does not taint, unlike the peroxide grade, this is why it has become first choice for food and beverages manufacturers.
Want to know more about whether platinum cured or peroxide cured silicone is best for your needs? Contact our team of experts at TYM or browse our range of silicone tubing and sheets.