Silicone is a highly versatile synthetic material used in a vast range of applications throughout multiple industries. They can be found in the products we use in our daily lives, from the cars we drive, food preparation and storage products, baby bottles and pacifiers, and dental and other daily personal hygiene products. Silicone is also widely used in products that could save our lives including respiratory masks, IV’s, and other critical medical and healthcare devices.
1. What is Silicone?
Silicone, often confused with the element silicon, is a synthetic polymer made up of silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. While it is a naturally occurring element found in sand and quartz, It is a man-made compound that exhibits both organic and inorganic properties, making it incredibly flexible and useful.
At its core, silicone is made of repeating units of siloxane (–Si–O–Si–), often combined with organic side groups like methyl, phenyl, or vinyl. This structure grants it a unique set of characteristics, such as thermal stability, chemical resistance, flexibility, and water repellence.
2,What Is the Difference Between Silicon and Silicone?
Silicone and silicon, although similar in their spelling, differ in how they are produced. Silicon s a chemical element (Si). Like most elements, it does not naturally exist in its isolated form. However, silicone refers to a broad class of polymers that consist of a siloxane bond (chemical formula -Si-O-Si-) with various organic compounds attached.
Another distinction between the two is their physical characteristics. Silicon is harder and a more brittle substance, while silicone is a more flexible and softer material with better heat-resistant properties.
Some of the most common applications for silicon include the following:
- Alloys
- Semiconductors
- Transistors
- Electrical insulators
- Bricks
- Photovoltaic cells
- Computer chips
3,Silicone vs. Plastic
Plastic and silicone are highly durable and malleable materials, and they can have a similar look and feel. While the two closely resemble one another, their distinctive chemical and molecular compositions make them different.
Plastics have a molecular backbone created with carbon and hydrogen. Producing them uses the following resources:
- Natural gas
- Plants
- Crude oil
Plastics are made from less environmentally friendly elements and can break down into dangerous microplastics. They also sometimes contain toxins, such as bisphenol A. Plastics typically do not last as long as silicones and are less resistant to extreme temperatures.
4. Benefits
Silicone’s widespread use is largely due to its unique set of advantages:
Thermal Stability: Silicone maintains its properties across a wide temperature range, typically from -60°C to +230°C, with some variants tolerating even higher temperatures.
Chemical Resistance: It resists water, ozone, UV light, and many chemicals, making it highly durable in harsh environments.
Flexibility and Elasticity: Even after extended use, silicone retains its flexibility and elasticity, making it suitable for dynamic applications like seals and gaskets.
Biocompatibility: Medical-grade silicone is non-reactive with body tissues, making it safe for use in implants and other medical devices.
Electrical Insulation: It’s dielectric properties make it an excellent insulator, even under extreme conditions.
Water Repellence: Silicone’s low surface tension gives it hydrophobic properties, which is why it’s used in waterproof coatings and treatments.
Longevity and Weather Resistance: Unlike many materials that degrade over time, It remains stable for decades in outdoor and demanding applications.
Silicone is easy to customize and mold and comes in a variety of forms (liquid, solid or sheet) depending on the molding or fabrication process and specific use. Whether your application requires greater temperature resistance or more malleability, material manufacturers offer a variety of compounds and grades to meet your various needs.
5. Applications
Silicone’s properties make it suitable for numerous industries:
5.1. Healthcare and Medical Devices
Medical-grade silicone is biocompatible, hypoallergenic, and sterilizable, making it ideal for:
- Catheters and tubing
- Implants (e.g., breast implants, pacemaker insulation)
- Wound dressings
- Menstrual cups and baby bottle nipples
5.2. Electronics and Electrical Industry
Silicone’s electrical insulation and thermal stability are invaluable in electronics:
- Insulating coatings
- Encapsulants for chips and circuit boards
- Thermal interface materials
- Flexible keyboards and connectors
5.3. Construction and Architecture
- Glazing and weatherproofing
- Expansion joint fillers
- Facade and curtain wall sealing
- Waterproofing agents
5.4. Automotive and Aerospace
Silicone withstands extreme temperatures and resists oil, making it essential in:
- Gaskets and seals
- Hoses and tubing
- Engine and transmission components
- Vibration dampers and noise-reduction parts
5.5. Food and Kitchenware
Food-grade silicone is non-toxic, heat-resistant, and flexible:
- Bakeware (molds, trays)
- Utensils (spatulas, brushes)
- Lids and storage containers
- Baby feeding products
5.6. Personal Care and Cosmetics
- Hair conditioners and serums
- Skin creams and lotions
- Antiperspirants
- Makeup primers and foundations
Turn to JIAZE Parts for Liquid Silicone Rubber Molded Components
At JIAZE, we believe in providing our customers with value-added solutions. These solutions utilize the best-suited material, tooling and manufacturing process that will deliver high-performance liquid silicone rubber injection molded parts and extraordinary results.
Our LSR injection molding cells incorporate precision automation, innovative technology, a stable process and rigorous quality standards, inspections and testing to ensure we meet the highest quality possible customized for your specific requirements. We strive to deliver precision, value-added LSR components that consistently meet our customer’s productivity, cost, and quality objectives.
Are you interested in learning more about LSR custom component solutions from JIAZE? Contact us today.