PDMS Silicone Elastomer (Base SE-1700, High Viscosity, Clear) is a high-viscosity platinum-cure PDMS silicone elastomer base for making soft, flexible, and stretchable silicone parts. It is useful for prototyping and production work where a lower-modulus elastomer is preferred over a stiffer standard PDMS system.

To make the complete cured elastomer, mix 10 parts base with 1 part compatible curing agent until uniform. If bubbles are present, degas with a vacuum chamber before casting. At room temperature, the material can cure by itself in about 2 hours; heat can also be used when the process is validated for the part geometry.

Best-fit uses

• Stretchable sensors and flexible electronics
• Soft robotics and soft actuator prototypes
• Dielectric elastomer actuator research
• Flexible encapsulation and high-deformation silicone parts
• Blends with stiffer PDMS systems when an intermediate modulus is needed

SE-1700 vs SYLGARD™ 184 practical comparison

• Both systems are two-part, platinum addition-cure PDMS elastomers and are commonly mixed and degassed before casting.
• SYLGARD™ 184 is typically a medium-stiff, dimensionally stable elastomer with about 43 Shore A hardness, mixed viscosity around 3500 mPa·s, and strong optical clarity. It is often chosen for microfluidics, MEMS, optics, lenses, soft lithography, and electronic encapsulation.
• SE-1700 is usually selected when the design needs a softer elastomer, lower modulus, higher elongation, better stretch, and large-strain performance. Its higher viscosity and softer network make it attractive for stretchable electronics and soft robotics.
• SE-1700 generally has a higher solvent-swelling tendency than SYLGARD™ 184, which can be useful or limiting depending on the device environment. Validate swelling in the actual solvent or operating medium.
• For optical devices and microfluidic mold replication, SYLGARD™ 184 is usually the easier default. For very soft structures, large strain, and stretchable devices, SE-1700 is usually the better starting point.

Processing notes

• Mix base and curing agent thoroughly at the correct ratio before casting.
• Degas under vacuum when air bubbles would affect appearance, dimensions, or mechanical performance.
• Check cure, hardness, clarity, swelling, and elongation in the final geometry, especially for thin films or soft actuator parts.
• Many labs blend SYLGARD™ 184 with SE-1700 to tune modulus and swelling for soft actuators and flexible electronics.

Appearance: viscous liquid base.