The difference between medical silicone and food grade silicone
| Performance Dimension | Medical-grade Liquid Silicone Rubber | Food-grade Liquid Silicone Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature Resistance Range | Wider and needs to be compatible with sterilization, usually -60℃~220℃. Some can withstand gamma ray sterilization at over 300℃, and there is no attenuation in elasticity and sealing after sterilization. | Suitable for food processing/use temperatures, generally -40℃~200℃. It can withstand microwave ovens (100℃) and dishwashers (80℃), and does not need to withstand extreme sterilization temperatures. |
| Biocompatibility | It is a core performance and must achieve "no sensitization, no irritation, and no cytotoxicity". There are no adverse reactions when in long-term contact with human tissues (such as implanted catheters). | There is no requirement for "biocompatibility". It only needs to ensure that "it does not harm the human body indirectly through food", and there is no need to consider direct reactions with human tissues. |
| Mechanical Properties | Focus on "long-term stability", such as:- High tear resistance (to avoid damage after implantation)- Excellent resilience (for example, seals do not age and deform after long-term use)- Low compression set (for example, the sealing performance of medical sealing rings remains unchanged after repeated use) | Focus on "daily use durability", such as:- Medium tear resistance (to meet daily use of tableware, etc.)- Acid and alkali resistance (suitable for soy sauce, vinegar, etc.)- Not easy to absorb oil stains (easy to clean) |
| Transparency and Purity | High transparency (for example, medical catheters need to observe the flow of internal fluids), and extremely high purity (no impurities or bubbles to avoid causing human immune reactions). | The transparency requirement is relatively low (for example, food molds, etc.). It allows trace impurities that do not affect safety, and there is no need to |