Understanding the Material: Silicone vs. TPE Sex Dolls

When you’re looking to buy a sex doll or love doll, one of the first things to decide is what material you want it to be made from. Two common materials used for sex dolls are silicone and TPE. People like them a lot because they make the dolls look super realistic and feel almost like the real thing. But it’s important to know the good and not-so-good things about both materials so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

TPE is a good option when there’s not enough silicone available, and it’s also more affordable. With more types and uses, TPE is a great alternative to silicone.

What is Silicone material?

Silicone is a special type of material that’s very safe to use. It doesn’t dissolve in water or other liquids, and it doesn’t have any bad smells. It’s also stable and doesn’t change when it comes into contact with most things, except really strong chemicals. People use it in things like silicone sex dolls and even in some food products because it’s safe and reliable.

What is TPE material?

TPE is a special kind of material that’s good for the environment and safe for people to use. It’s easy to add different colors to it, and it feels smooth and soft. TPE can be made in a range of hardness levels from really soft to quite firm.

The cool thing about TPE is that it’s easy to work with. You don’t need to use a process called vulcanization, which saves time and money. Plus, TPE can be recycled and used again, which is good for the environment.

You can also use TPE with other plastic materials like PP, PE, PC, PS, ABS, and more. You can mix them together in a process called two injection molding, or you can use TPE by itself to make things.

9 Ways TPE and Silicone Materials for Sex Dolls Are Different

There are nine important differences between TPE and Silicone Material:

a. Temperature at Which Something Melts

TPE is a stretchy material that acts like rubber when it’s not too hot. But when it gets really hot, it can melt and flow like liquid.

Silicone, on the other hand, is a special type of rubber that becomes strong and tough after a special process called crosslinking. It’s like rubber that sets and won’t melt or catch fire at high temperatures. If it burns, it turns into water and a kind of sand called silica.

b. Analytical Structure

Silicone is made from silicon and oxygen, and it has a chain with methyl groups (CH3) on its side.

TPE, on the other hand, is a thermoplastic elastomer made from styrene, olefins, and polyurethane.

The main difference between them is that silicone has a structure with silicon and oxygen (SiO2), while TPE has a structure with carbon and carbon (CC).

So, in simple terms, silicone has more silicon and oxygen in its structure, while TPE has more carbon and carbon.

c. Processing Performance

When it comes to how they’re made, silicone is typically shaped using a hydraulic press, and some types involve a chemical process called crosslinking. This method takes more time, and any leftover material can’t be reused. On the other hand, TPE is a thermoplastic material that can be shaped through injection and extrusion without crosslinking. In simple terms, TPE is quicker to process, and any extra material can be recycled.

d. Temperature Resistance

Silicone is better than TPE when it comes to handling heat. Silicone can handle temperatures between 200 to 300 degrees Celsius, while TPE can only withstand temperatures between 130 to 150 degrees Celsius. When TPE gets too hot, it can start to wear down and even crack.

e. Price

Silicone is usually more expensive, costing over $5000 for a ton, while regular TPE falls in the range of $2000 to $5000. TPE is generally a better choice for price, unless you need specific types like halogen-free flame retardant or food-grade materials, which can be more expensive.

f. Recyclable

In simple terms, TPE sex dolls are cheaper than silicone ones because TPE material can be recycled, saving money. Silicone, on the other hand, can’t be reused, which makes it more expensive. Points 5 and 6 explain why silicone sex dolls cost more than TPE sex dolls.

g. Elasticity

When it comes to how stretchy they are, silicone is super stretchy. Think of it like a rubber band that bounces back to its original shape after being stretched. On the other hand, TPE (a different material used for some sex dolls) is also stretchy, but it doesn’t bounce back completely. So, if you stretch TPE too much, it might stay stretched out a bit. The TPE that’s made with bigger molecules is better at bouncing back.

In simple terms, silicone is really stretchy and always goes back to its original shape, while TPE is stretchy but might change its shape a little if you stretch it too much.

h. Surface Smoothness

When it comes to how smooth they feel, silicone can be smoother than TPE. Silicone can come in various levels of smoothness, with materials rated from 20 to 80A being really smooth and not picking up dust easily. TPE is a bit less smooth than silicone. The softer the TPE is, the more noticeable the difference in smoothness compared to silicone.

i. Environmentally Friendly

When it comes to being kind to the environment, silicone is better than TPE. Silicone has passed a strict American food-grade test called FDA 21CFR 177.2600. On the other hand, TPE is also environmentally friendly because it doesn’t contain harmful substances like halogens, benzene plasticizers, bisphenol A, nonyl phenol NP, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It meets standards like ROHS, REACH, HN, and EN71.

The important thing to know is that passing the US food-grade test 21CFR 177.2600 is quite tough, especially for TPE because it has to meet very high standards in its blending process.