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2025
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Why Do Silicone Sheets Shrink
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Why Do Silicone Sheets Shrink？
What Is Silicone Sheet Shrinkage?
Shrinkage refers to a slight reduction in the length, width, or thickness of a silicone sheet after storage or use. In some cases, the edges may curl or the shape may subtly change.
Shrinkage is commonly reported by:
Precision die-cutting workshops
Gasket manufacturers
Heat-sealing and mechanical sealing users
Laser cutting and CNC users
While it doesn't always indicate a quality defect, shrinkage can impact production accuracy and final installation, especially in high-precision applications.
Why Do Silicone Sheets Shrink?
1. Elastic Memory of the Material
Silicone is a high-elastic polymer. After being stretched, heated, or compressed during manufacturing, it tends to “bounce back” slightly over time, resulting in shrinkage.
2. Incomplete Vulcanization
Some low-end products are made with rushed vulcanization (shorter heating time or lower temperature), leaving the internal molecular structure unstable. These materials may continue to crosslink later, causing gradual shrinkage.
3. Thermal Expansion and Contraction
Though silicone resists heat well, it still experiences expansion at high temperatures and contraction when cooled. This is natural and more noticeable in environments with frequent temperature changes.
4. Volatile Additives
Cheaper silicone sheets often contain fillers like silicone oil, paraffin, or plasticizers. These can evaporate during high-temperature use, resulting in a smaller sheet size or hardened surface.
5. Molding and Thickness Issues
If the sheet was not molded precisely, or if the thickness is uneven, dimensional instability may appear over time.
Why choose DIAO Silicone Sheets？
DIAO Silicone products are known for excellent dimensional stability, even in demanding industrial applications.
1. Pure Raw Materials — No Cheap Fillers
DIAO only uses high-purity silicone, avoiding the use of low-cost oils or waxes that cause shrinkage and hardening.
2. Fully Vulcanized at High Temp & Pressure
Each sheet undergoes carefully controlled vulcanization, ensuring high molecular crosslink density and long-term structural stability.
3. Precision Mold Control — Uniform Thickness
DIAO uses laser-cut molds, allowing tolerance control within ±0.2mm, ideal for gasket cutting, CNC use, and sealing components.
4. Optional Post-Curing Available
For high-temperature or repeated heating environments, DIAO offers post-cured silicone sheets to enhance shrinkage resistance.
5. Transparent Testing Reports
DIAO provides material test reports and performance data sheets, suitable for engineering projects and bulk procurement bids.
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Our factory specializes in the production and supply of high quality silicone hoses, food grade silicone hoses, medical silicone hoses, fuel hoses, radiator hoses, air rubber hoses, EPDM sealing strips, spiral protective covers and silicone plates and other trucks, automotive rubber accessories (support OEM and ODM).
Our address
Wangguanzhuang Town, Qinghe County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province,China