Can silicone rubber products fully restore their original shape after being pressed and deformed?

Ordinary silicone rubber has good elasticity. Generally speaking, within the normal range of use (i.e. within the boundary between elastic deformation and plastic deformation), it can be well restored to its original shape. For example, common silicone rubber phone cases can mostly return to their original shape when subjected to external compression and deformation during normal use. This is because the molecular chain structure of ordinary silicone rubber is within the elastic limit, and the molecular chains can move freely between each other. When the external force is eliminated, the molecular chains can return to their original relatively ordered state.

Slight deformation
If the silicone rubber product only undergoes slight deformation, that is, within its elastic deformation range, it can usually be fully restored. Elastic deformation refers to the deformation of a material under stress, and when the external force is released, the material can return to its original shape and size. For example, silicone rubber seals may experience slight compression during normal assembly, but as long as they do not exceed their elastic limit, they can return to their original sealing shape well after the external force is released.
Excessive deformation (beyond the elastic range)
When silicone rubber products undergo excessive deformation beyond their elastic range and enter the plastic deformation stage, they may not be able to fully restore their original shape. Plastic deformation refers to the inability of a material to fully recover its original shape after being subjected to force, and this deformation is irreversible. Taking thicker gaskets made of silicone rubber as an example, if they are excessively compressed for a long time during use, exceeding their elastic deformation capacity, the molecular chain structure may be damaged or rearranged to a certain extent, resulting in their inability to restore their original thickness and shape.

Temperature
Temperature has a significant impact on the elastic recovery of silicone rubber. Within the general temperature range of use, silicone rubber products have good elasticity. For example, at room temperature, ordinary silicone rubber toys can return to their original state after being pressed and deformed. But when the temperature is too high, the molecular chain movement of silicone rubber accelerates, and its elastic modulus decreases, which may prevent it from recovering well after deformation. If the temperature is too low, silicone rubber will harden, the movement of molecular chains will be restricted, and its elasticity will also decrease, resulting in a decrease in recovery ability. For example, silicone rubber products in low temperature environments (such as around -50 ℃) may experience slow or even incomplete recovery to their original shape after being deformed by external forces.
Chemical environment
If silicone rubber products are exposed to chemical substances such as organic solvents or strong acid and alkali environments for a long time, their performance may be affected. Some solvents may cause changes in the interactions between the molecular chains of silicone rubber, resulting in a change in its elastic modulus. For example, silicone rubber products soaked in organic solvents such as gasoline for a long time may experience some degree of expansion in their molecular chains, making it difficult to restore their original shape after deformation.