What is Silicone?

  Silicone is a form of synthetic rubber. We can synthesize it by modifying silicon. Furthermore, this material consists of a backbone of silicon atoms with alternating oxygen atoms. As silicone has high energy silicon-oxygen bonds, it is more resistant to heat than other rubbers or elastomers.

  Unlike in other elastomers, the inorganic backbone of silicone makes it highly resistant to fungus and chemicals. In addition, silicone rubber is resistant to ozone and UV attacks because the silicon-oxygen bond is less susceptible to these attacks than the carbon-carbon bond of the backbone in other elastomers. Moreover, this material has a lower tensile strength and lower tear strength than the organic rubbers. However, at high temperatures, it shows excellent tensile and tears properties. This is because of the variation of properties in silicone is less at high temperatures.

  Silicone is more durable than other elastomers. These are few of the beneficial properties of silicone. Regardless, the fatigue life of silicone rubbers is shorter than the organic rubbers. It is one of the disadvantages of this rubber form. Also, its viscosity is high; therefore, it causes manufacturing problems due to poor flow properties.