Industries

Silicone has been widely used in automotive engine and fuel sealing due to its outstanding thermal and chemical resistance and low compression set. As automobiles are becoming more electrified, the use of silicone in electrical connector seals has expanded. Additionally, optically clear silicone is replacing thermoplastics for optics in signal and adaptive forward lighting due to it’s thermal resistance and optical resolution. Silicone fluids are ideal for automotive waxes and polishes for exteriors and interiors, windshields, and tires.

Aerospace was one of the first applications for silicone elastomers in the 1950’s due to its high and low temperature performance, chemical resistance and weatherability. In fact the first footprints on the Moon were made with silicone rubber soles on the boots of the Apollo 11 crew.

Silicone rubber is preferred in public transportation due to its weatherability, flame resistance, and in the event of ignition, its fumes are less toxic than other organic elastomers.

Silicone elastomers and adhesive sealants are ideal for bonding and protecting electronic components from moisture, dirt, and the environment. Silicone is an excellent electrical insulator, thermally stable up to 200°C, UV stable for outdoor applications, and chemically resistant for harsh environments. Unlike rigid materials, silicone sealants can be soft elastomers and even gels, which eliminate stresses caused by varying Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE) in delicate electronics. Silicone Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) are available in a wide variety of forms including hard and soft pads, gap fillers, and greases. Their excellent thermal conductivity dissipates heat from electronic components, extending their life and reliability, and their thermal stability can withstand increasingly higher operating temperatures.

Silicone has a long, proven history of performance in the healthcare industry due to its inherent biocompatibility (USP Class VI and ISO 10993); chemical resistance to pharmaceuticals, sanitizing chemicals, blood, and bodily fluids; clarity, and comfort on the skin and body tissue. Silicone is widely used in a host of medical device applications including needle-free IV valves, respiratory mask cushions, feeding tubes, peristaltic pumps, stethoscope ear tips, and even contact lenses. Silicone elastomers are inherently free of latex, phthalates, and BPA. The use of Low Volatile silicones or post-curing can minimize leachables and extractibles in medical components.

Silicone is the preferred elastomer for baby care products due to its biocompatibility and safety for food contact; wide range of hardnesses; durability; chemical and thermal stability; clarity, and low surface energy. Silicone baby nipples, teethers, spill-proof cup valves and straws, and breast pump components are clear, non-toxic, low volatile, and BPA-free. They can be repeatedly sanitized in boiling water and the dishwasher.

Due to its outstanding weatherability, UV stability and long-term adhesion, silicone sealant is the preferred material for all external sealing and window glazing applications.

Silicones are a premium ingredient in personal care and cosmetic products. Silicones are inherently safe on the skin and can provide sensory benefits such as moisturization, a soft-silky feel, and long-lasting, radiant shine. Additionally, silicone emulsifiers can be used to improve the stability, performance, and feel of natural ingredients in formulations.

Silicone fluids and silanes enhance the performance of paints and coatings by improving their application, substrate adhesion, and long-term durability.

Adhesives & Sealants formulated with silicone have excellent long-term adhesion to a wide variety of substrates; a broad range of operating temperatures from -50°C to +200°C; outstanding chemical and UV resistance; and a vast spectrum of hardnesses ranging from extremely soft gels to hard rubbers up to 80 Shore A.

Silicone is the preferred material for fabricating flexible molds for rapid prototyping. The platinum addition curing chemistry enables the rapid cure of deep cross-sections. The high tear strength allows for demolding deep undercuts without ripping. The chemical resistance withstands degradation from the urethane chemistry, yielding more pulls per mold, and the low viscosity ensures the precise replication of the most minute details.

Silicones are commonly used in the adhesive label industry for release coatings and pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). Backing materials (paper, film, other) can be coated with a silicone release agent to help the adhesive release easier. These silicones are used primarily as release agents for stickers and labels, for release films, and for release paper for use in manufacturing processes. The user can select the right product for their intended application from a line of products, which includes solventless, solvent-based, emulsion, heat-cure and UV-cure types. Silicone PSAs have excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, dielectric properties and removability, and offer strong adhesion to a wide array of substrates. They make ideal adhesives for tapes, protective films and other applications where reliability is key.

The use of silicone in consumer products is constantly expanding due to its biocompatibility and safety for food contact; wide range of hardnesses; durability; chemical, thermal, and environmental stability; pigmentability, and low surface energy.