Platinum-Cure Silicone

What is Platinum-Cure Silicone?

Platinum-cure silicone is medical-grade silicone cured using a platinum catalyst, considered the gold standard material for body-safe intimate products.

What Is the Chemistry Behind It?

Silicone rubber comes in two main curing systems: platinum-cure (addition cure) and tin-cure (condensation cure). In platinum-cure silicone, a platinum-based catalyst triggers a hydrosilylation reaction that cross-links the polymer chains. This process produces zero byproducts -- no shrinkage, no odor, no released chemicals. Tin-cure silicone, by contrast, releases alcohol or acetic acid as a byproduct, can shrink slightly during curing, and may leave residual tin compounds in the finished product. The platinum catalyst is used in extremely small quantities (parts per million) but its effect on material quality is enormous. The result is a chemically inert, dimensionally stable, hypoallergenic material that meets FDA and ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards.

Why Is It the Gold Standard?

Platinum-cure silicone earns its reputation through a combination of properties no other flexible material can match. It is completely non-porous, meaning bacteria and fluids cannot penetrate the surface. It is phthalate-free by nature, containing zero plasticizers or harmful additives. It is hypoallergenic, odorless, and tasteless. It can be sterilized by boiling, autoclaving, or chemical disinfection without degrading. It maintains its properties across a wide temperature range, making it ideal for temperature play. And it is available in a vast range of Shore hardness values, from marshmallow-soft to nearly rigid.

How Do Firmness and Shore Ratings Work?

One of platinum-cure silicone's greatest advantages for fantasy toy manufacturing is its tunable firmness. By adjusting the ratio of Part A to Part B and selecting different silicone formulations, makers can produce toys ranging from Shore 00-20 (extremely squishy, barely holds shape) to Shore A-30+ (dense, firm, minimal flex). This enables the full spectrum from extra soft collector pieces to firm harness-compatible toys, all from the same body-safe base material. Dual-density and split-firmness pours combine different hardnesses in a single piece for optimized performance.

Why Is It Worth the Higher Cost?

Platinum-cure silicone costs significantly more than TPE, PVC, or tin-cure silicone. Raw platinum-cure silicone runs roughly three to five times the price of tin-cure alternatives. This cost, combined with longer curing times and the need for precise mixing ratios, makes platinum-cure toys more expensive to produce. But the investment pays for itself in longevity (platinum-cure silicone does not degrade over time), safety (zero chemical leaching), and performance (consistent firmness for years). Every product in the LustMonster collection uses exclusively platinum-cure silicone -- because the gold standard is the only standard worth offering.