PU Vs Silicone LED Neon Flex Lights: Which Is Better?

Looking for the best material for LED neon flex casing? Among all the other materials, PU and silicone are the most popular. But it is confusing which one performs well in certain conditions. 

Although PU and silicone have their own features and benefits. In this article, I am going to discuss which one is suitable for your application, along with pros and cons and a detailed comparison.

What Is PU LED Neon Flex?

PU or polyurethane LED neon flex is made of PU casing over the LED strip, which confers output like traditional neon light, with less power consumption and heat stability. The polyurethane is a moderately flexible material that is extruded over the LED strip and then molded to shape the neon flex. The LED flex is then cooled down and hardened in the PU casing.

PU LED neon flex is a cost-effective option for indoor and semi-outdoor applications. This is a hard casing, which resists UV to some extent. It is fully dustproof and semi-waterproof, depending on the IP rating. 

PU LED with IP65 and IP67 ratings are most popular. Here, IP65 means fully dustproof and semi-waterproof, and IP67 means fully dustproof and can be submerged underwater.

What Is Silicone LED Neon Flex?

Silicone LED neon flex is made using silicone rubber material as casing. This is highly durable and resists UV, stains, and extreme heat, and is waterproof. The main benefit of using silicon LED neon flex is that it provides higher flexibility than any other casing material. The neon flex can be bound and twisted horizontally and vertically. 

Therefore, silicon casing neon flex is highly popular for lettering on signs and outlining curved logos. No other material offers such flexibility. The soft surface is also easy to clean and doesn’t yellow over time, due to supreme UV protection.

PU Vs Silicone LED Neon Flex: A Comparison Table

Features	PU LED neon flex	Silicon LED neon flex
Material composition	Polyeurethane	Silicon rubber
Flexibility	Moderate to minimal	Highly flexible
Heat resistance	Upto 80 degree celcius	Up to 200 degrees Celsius
Cost	Cost effective	Higher priced than PU neon flex
Surface texture	Hard surface	Soft rubbery surface
Yellowing	Yellowing occurs after some usage	Doesn’t yellow due to high UV protection
Waterproof	Semi waterproof	Highly waterproof, even in submerged conditions
Application	Indoor, decorative architectural neon light	Outdoor, buildings, swimming pools

Pros And Cons Of PU And Silicone LED Neon Flex  

Pros and cons of PU LED neon flex-

Pros of PU LED neon flex	Cons of PU LED neon flex
Cost effective  Dustproof Moderate waterproofing with an IP67 rating Decent light diffusion  Lightweight Easy to maintain	Not UV resistant Prone to yellowing over time  Cannot be used in submerged water  Not very flexible

Pros and cons of silicon LED Neon flex

Pros of silicon LED neon flex	Cons of silicon LED neon flex
Highly flexible, can be bent 360 degrees High thermal resistance, can resist up to 200 degrees Celsius  UV resistant  No chance of yellowing  Can work in submerged water, highly water resistant	The cost is higher  The soft surface is prone to scratching

Application of PU and Silicone LED Neon Flex

Application of PU LED neon flex	Application of silicone LED neon flex
Home decoration Hotel lobby  Interior architecture  Retail store display  Temporary stage lighting Wedding decoration  Expo, fair, and high-end events DIY projects	Outdoor lighting Patio, garden lighting Logo design, lettering Architectural usage Industrial application Street light Restaurant, cafe  Highly heated and cold areas

PU Vs Silicone LED Neon Flex: Which One To Choose And Why?

PU and silicone have different characteristics that are applied to LED neon flex. Heat, UV, flame resistance, performance, and flexibility make them stand out.

Heat Resistance 

The heat stability of the polyurethane casing is only up to 80 degrees. On the other hand, silicone can stay stable in high heat, up to 200 or even 230 degrees Celsius. The tensile strength of PU is excellent, whereas the tensile strength of silicone is moderate to good.

Therefore, in humid, tropical areas, PU LED neon flex is not suitable. It will bend, warp, or even break the LED internally, causing light spots in the neon flex. Silicon LED neon flex, on the other hand, will not melt or discolor in high heat, keeping the original shape of the neon flex.

UV, Stain, and Flame Resistance 

Silicon LED neon flex is highly UV resistant. As a result, it has zero yellowing and provides long-lasting, bright neon light without affecting the LED quality. In contrast, PU LED neon flex has less UV protection, so it easily stains yellow. It reduces the output neon light quality and overall performance.

In the case of stain resistance, PU is ahead of silicone. As PU LED has a hard outer surface, it scratches less. Silicon is more resistant to chemicals and oils, so it is better suited for a kitchen studio.

PU LED neon flex isn’t flame retardant unless treated. It may create toxic fumes and destroy the casing of the LED strip. In contrast, most of the silicon LED neon flex are UL-94, V-0 rated. This grade means the material will stop burning within 10 seconds and has been tested twice for flame retardancy.

Outdoor/Exterior Grading 

The LED neon flex, regardless of casing material, must be labeled for outdoor usage for maximum output. However, if the product isn’t labeled sufficiently, then choosing a silicon LED neon flex is better suited.

As silicon is highly waterproof, it can handle submerged water. Besides, the thermal stability of silicon one is greater, making it more suited for constant exposure to scorching sunlight. The temperature will rise dramatically in outdoor applications, which silicon LED neon flex can handle.

However, if the budget is tight, PU LED neon flex can also work in shaded areas, where constant sunlight exposure isn’t directed toward the neon flex. Also, in less humid and temperate areas, PU LED neon flex can be used outdoors, especially if prolonged water contact is absent.

Performance

As an LED neon flex, both silicon and PU material deliver efficient performance. However, the lifespan and durability vary. The PU material is strongly abrasion-resistant and has higher tensile strength than silicone. But it doesn’t provide any protection from UV and water. As a result, yellowing occurs, resulting in light spots and dull performance.

In contrast, silicone LED neon flex is strongly water and UV resistant. So it is more durable and offers longer, high-quality performance. The average lifespan of PU material lasts for up to 2 or 3 years if used outdoors, whereas the lifespan of silicone LED neon flex can last up to 10 years, even in outdoor usage.

Flexibility 

Silicone is a rubbery and extremely flexible material. So, silicone LED neon flex is popular among retail store signage, branding, and lettering. Various architectural applications need flexible materials to create unique designs. Silicone is best for that purpose. It can be bent horizontally and vertically, and 360 degrees.

The bend radius of silicone LED neon flex is lower than 30mm; in some expensive models, it can be lower than 10mm. This means silicone can be bent into a tight curve without damaging the LED light. This is extremely helpful in creating detailed neon logos and art. 

On the other hand, the bend radius of PU is 70-100mm. This means PU LED neon flex isn’t appropriate for detailed curved designs. However, it can be bent in wider areas, such as forming circles, squares, and basic shapes.

Cost Effectiveness

For bulk orders and industrial usage, PU LED neon flex is a cheaper option. It costs on average $5 per meter. So the total cost of decorating an entire place is under budget. It is efficient for small restaurants and decorative areas inside the home. 

However, in accordance with lifespan and maintenance cost, the PU material isn’t sustainable. It easily discolors and lags in performance. As a result, replacement is needed frequently. So, for permanent application, PU isn’t the best choice. 

The silicone material is easy to clean and provides a longer lifespan. Although the initial buying price is higher, almost double that of PU, it can last for a long time. Also, if the customer wants a specific design that includes lots of curves and details, the installation charge for silicone will be less than that of PU, as silicone is highly flexible.

Considering Application 

If the neon flex is used indoors, then PU LED neon flex is decent in terms of durability and protection. As an indoor application doesn’t have much sunlight or water exposure, the PU can perform well enough.

 Also, the cost-effectiveness of PU material makes it a good choice for home and industrial applications. Besides home, temporary applications such as expo, stage making, wedding decoration, indoor retail display, jewelry display box decoration, and PU are considered a good choice. 

In contrast, silicon LED neon flex is better suited in heated areas, such as the kitchen, the baking industry, and the cooking studio. Also, silicone is the most appropriate material for outdoor applications, like architectural renovation, store signs, lettering, and custom neon art making.

Wrapping Up 

In closing, PU LED neon flex is a budget-friendly, decent-performance option for interior usage. The silicon LED neon flex provides excellent performance in both indoor and outdoor applications, at a higher price range. 

For premium-quality silicon and PU LED neon flex, contact Mylikeled. You’ll find high-quality neon flex within your budget.

FAQs

Does PU and silicon LED neon flex offer a color option?

Yes, both material offers color options in single, solid color, RGB, or RGBW color variants.

Which one is safer, PU or silicone neon flex?

Silicone LED neon flex is more thermally stable and fire retardant, which makes it safer than PU material, which may melt down in high heat.