by David Claus, Ph.D.

Why a PLATINUM-CATALYZED (platinum-cure) SILICONE is a far superior sex toy material than a TIN-CATALYZED (tin-cure) SILICONE

LONGEVITY

• Tin cure silicones are inexpensive and typically used as molds (negatives), not as casts (positives), due to the fact that tin silicones have what's called a short 'library life.'  This essentially means they become brittle over time, and will eventually deform and lose their elasticity.  They are usually used as temporary 'molds' or sealants, not as finished, permanent pieces. 

• A high quality platinum-cure silicone is much more expensive, is typically designed specifically to be used as a finished (cast) piece, and will not break down, deform, or lose its elasticity over time.

TOXICITY

• While curing, tin silicones create byproducts in the form of alcohols and/or acids.  They release a strong, bitter smell due to these byproducts outgassing from the resin.  A tin silicone will continue to react with O2 in the atmosphere over time, and tends to eventually deform and break down.  

• A platinum cure silicone releases no toxic byproducts whatsoever before, during, or after cure, and the bonds formed are completely stable and non-reactive.  This means your finished Platinum silicone toy will last, and stay exactly the same as the day you pulled it from the mold. 

CONTAMINATION

• Tin silicones cure very easily; almost nothing will inhibit them from solidifying.  This means that tin silicones are subject to multiple contaminants.  They will cure up no matter what's in them.  This leaves a tin silicone open to all sorts of potentially toxic contaminants; compounds that can be missed by the manufacturer.  Without doing your own lab test, you really can't be sure whats in a tin silicone. 

• When it comes to sex toys, you want to be sure it's safe to use internally.  A platinum cure silicone will not set up if it contains impurities.  It's like doing your own lab safety check.  A platinum silicone must contain no contaminants, or it won't set up.

ODORS

• Tin silicones release toxic and potentially toxic alcohols and/or acids when mixed.  There's a strong, bitter odor or outgassing that accompanies a tin silicone.  

• Platinum cure silicones release no toxic compounds when mixed, have zero smell or outgassing, and are completely non toxic.

CURE TIME

• Tin cure silicones take at least a week to reach full cure. They are known as 'condensation-cure' silicones, which require contact with water (pulled from atmospheric air or from your water-based mold) for 7+ days, until the resin has fully and completely set up.  If you're making a cast of your penis, you'll need to leave a tin silicone inside the water-saturated mold for a week or more, otherwise your dildo WILL shrink.  

• A Platinum cure silicone sets up fully and completely within hours and will never shrink.  

STABILITY

• Platinum cure silicones allow for a low 'cross link density' without compromising stability.  What this means is that it allows for a soft, flexible copy that still remains completely stable, even over time.  

• A tin cure silicone will continue to react to moisture, sunlight, and other environmental exposures. It WILL lose it's properties over time.  

COLORING

• Tin cure silicones can accept almost any pigment you can find.  Again, without doing your own lab tests you have no idea what's potentially in the pigments within a tin cure silicone resin.  

• Platinum cure silicones require pure pigments free of additives or potentially toxic metals like lead, aluminum, cadmium or mercury.  

HEALTH EFFECTS

• Tin cure silicones contain organic-tin bonds (molecules containing tin and carbon), which are considered by many to be the most dangerous form of tin exposure for humans. Organic-tin bonds are used in paints and plastics, and are extremely common in pesticides. Nowadays we know the consequences of tin poisoning, including immune system malfunction and chromosomal and brain damage, so we try to avoid tin wherever possible.  Still, it's not uncommon to find it in everyday things.

• Exposure to quality platinum silicones causes no ill health effects. 

THE TAKEAWAY

• Try to avoid tin catalyzed or hybrid silicone sex toys.  What's a simple way to tell the difference?  Smell it.  There should never be any smell in a sex toy.