Silicone Supplies
Silicone is a versatile elastomer that’s used in products from cake molds to tampons and even bicycle chains. It’s also the material of choice for a number of sustainable alternatives to disposable plastics, such as menstrual cups and baby bottle nipples.
Food-grade silicone is FDA-approved and doesn’t contain the potentially harmful monomer bisphenol A (BPA). Solid silicone rubber can be encased around electronic components to protect them from radiation, vibration and mechanical shock.
1. Seals
Silicone sealants are popular for use around windows and doors, as caulk and in various other applications. Flexible silicone ice cube molds allow easy extraction of molded ice. Electronic components are often encased in silicone to increase stability against mechanical and electrical shock, radiation and vibration.
Polysiloxanes are manufactured as fluids, resins or elastomers and are chemically inert, water resistant, insulators and stable across an extreme temperature range. They are used for lubricants, hydraulic fluids and protective coatings.
The first step in making silicone is separating silica from quartz and exposing it to heat. It’s then grinded into fine powder and combined with methyl chloride, which reacts to form methyl dimethylchlorosilane, the precursor to silicone.
2. Tubes
Silicone is used to create tubing that can be molded Silicone Supplies into different shapes and sizes. For example, ice cube trays and medical masks are often molded from silicone. Silicones can also be encased around electronic components to increase stability against vibration and radiation, a process called potting.
Medical-grade silicones have low reactivity and low immune response, making them ideal for use with medical devices. In addition, silicones are nonstick and water resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures.
Mold-making silicones are used for situations in which you want to consistently reproduce a shape or feature, such as plastic parts for various uses, soap and candle making, or creating castings of figurines.
3. Insulation
Silicones are used in a wide variety of applications, from kitchen utensils to electrical insulation. These versatile substances come in many different forms, from liquids and greases to gels and rubbers. They can withstand temperatures from freezing to 550 degrees Fahrenheit without melting or becoming brittle. They are non-stick and low taint, making them popular in cookware and other consumer products.
Insulation materials use silicones as coatings or adhesives to help seal buildings, preventing air from escaping and increasing energy efficiency. Specially formulated silicones such as HT800 and electrically conductive silicone rubber provide insulation while maintaining conductivity, whereas metal detectable silicone tape is made with iron oxide to aid in locating foreign objects in food processing and pharmaceutical production lines.
4. Electrical
Unlike plastic, silicones are not made from fossil fuels, so they don’t require mining and are safer for the environment. Silicones are durable, flexible and can withstand heat, cold, chemicals, moisture, and radiation.
Depending on the variant, silicone can handle temperatures between -150 degrees and 550 degrees Fahrenheit without becoming brittle or melting. It is also non-flammable and an effective electrical insulator. Silicone resiliency and flexibility make it an excellent choice for aerospace and aviation wiring applications. Dyed and un-dyed silicone rubber tapes are used in avionics as splice and wrap tape. This type of self-amalgamating tape amalgamates or fuses to itself, creating a strong rubbery electrical insulator that is resistant to flame and arcing.
5. Medical
Silicone adhesives are safe for use with human skin and can adhere to a wide range of surfaces. They form a strong bond that is long lasting and resistant to moisture, temperature changes, chemicals and weathering.
Scientifically, silicones are classified as elastomers, which have both plastic and rubber properties. These materials are gas permeable, have low reactivity with chemicals and high resistance to heat.
Raw silicone material is created by heating quartz sand to extremely high temperatures. This creates silica that is then distilled into a polymerized compound known as polydimethylsiloxane. This is then mixed with any desired additives, and cured using a catalyst. This produces the liquid silicone rubber (LSR). This is then injection molded or extruded to create the final product.
6. Food
Silicones are marketed as safe alternatives Silicone Supplies to traditional plastic products for food storage. They are resistant to extreme temperatures, stress and environments. Many silicone products are FDA and LFGB food grade tested.
They are also far healthier than plastic. Chemicals in plastic such as phthalates, PVC and fluorinated compounds have been linked to cancer, low birth weight and hormone disruption.
Silicones are actually synthetic polymers based on silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen atoms. They can take on various forms including malleable rubber-like materials, hard plastic-like resins and thick spreadable fluids.
7. Gaskets
Silicone is a plastic that can be stretched or shaped, but unlike other plastics it doesn’t break under pressure. It’s also resistant to chemicals and very temperature resistant, allowing it to be used in a wide range of industrial or medical applications.
The flexibility of silicone rubber makes it ideal for sealing and insulating wires in automobiles. It is also used for hoses and seals to hold in air and fluids. Its durability means that it can withstand extreme temperatures and resist arcing and cracking.
Silicone can also be molded into flexible materials to make baby nipples, cookware, adhesives, and lubricants. Medical-grade silicones enable major healthcare innovations like implantable devices.
8. Aircraft
The demanding conditions of the aerospace industry require materials that are able to hold up against extreme temperatures and environmental contaminants. That’s why engineers turn to silicone elastomers for their durability and reliability.
Silicones are a family of polysiloxanes made by reacting silica (one of the earth’s most common elements) with methyl chloride to produce dimethyldichlorosilanes. The polysiloxanes then combine to form long chains of durable elastomers.
Air travel is full of powerful engines, landings and high speeds that lead to a lot of noise and vibration. Exceptional anti-vibration and noise reduction properties are what makes silicone ideal for airplanes. You can find it in overhead bins, vent ducts, hatches and entertainment systems.