7 Properties of Silicone
7 Properties of Silicone
According to Google, silicone is a versatile material widely used due to its unique properties like thermal stability and low toxicity. Manufacturers and end-users benefit significantly from these advantages:
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Safety and Stability
Silicone's Safety
Silicones are safe. They are among the top materials used in making implantable medical devices.
Dimensional Stability
Silicones have excellent dimensional stability. They retain their strength and shape across a vast temperature range.
Chemical Resistance
Silicones are chemically non-reactive in most environments. They do not degrade under exposure to moisture, fuels and oils, heat, cold, salt spray, or ultraviolet light.
Versatility
Shape-Shifting Ability
Silicones can take any shape. Available as liquids, viscous pastes, rubbery sheets, and hard, plastic-like consistencies, they can be used as coatings, molded parts, tubing, and lubricants.
Where Is Silicone Typically Prepared?
Chemical factories produce raw silicone materials by processing chemical precursors and catalysts in bulk. Silica (from sand) is converted into silicon which is then combined with water and methanol to form basic silicone products. Component fabricators apply molding processes to create final products for customers.
What Is Silicone's Chemical Composition?
Silicone, known as "polysiloxane," consists of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. Silicon has space for four covalent bonds with other atoms, two of which are occupied by oxygen atoms. The chemical formula is [R2SiO]n.
For example, polydimethylsiloxane features methyl groups (CH3) attached to silicon atoms.
Figure 1 below shows the structure of polydimethylsiloxane:
Silicone Applications
Medical Devices
Due to their inert characteristics and biocompatibility, silicones are perfect for medical applications like respirator masks and surgical instruments.
Automotive Components
Silicones' resilience to extreme temperatures and UV light makes them an excellent choice in automotive wire harness seals, connectors, and sensors.
Consumer Products
In consumer products, silicones create watertight barriers, bacteria-resistant surfaces, and pliable headphone ear tips.
Industrial Uses
Silicones withstand harsh conditions, making them ideal for components in safety products and manufacturing equipment.
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