How to understand the viscosity and hardness of silicone?

(1) Silicone rubber viscosity

Silicone rubber viscosity refers to the volume characteristics of liquid, quasi-liquid or quasi-solid material against flow, that is, the internal friction or internal resistance to flow between molecules when flowing under the action of external forces.

Normally, the viscosity of silicone rubber is directly proportional to the hardness of silicone rubber.

(2) Silicone rubber hardness

Silicone rubber hardness refers to the ability of the silicone rubber material to locally resist hard objects from being pressed into its surface, which is called hardness.

Silicone rubber has a Shore hardness range of 10 to 80, giving designers the freedom to choose the desired hardness to best achieve a specific function.

Various intermediate hardness values can be achieved by mixing different proportions of polymer base material, fillers and additives.

Likewise, the time and temperature of heat curing can also change hardness without destroying other physical characteristics.