Silicone: Structures, Properties and Uses

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Silicones are polymers – large molecules consisting of many repeating smaller molecules – that are inorganic and also known as polydialkylsiloxanes. Due to their many durable and useful qualities, they are valued in a variety of applications.

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General Qualities

What most people think of as silicone is generally a chain of molecules with an inorganic silica and oxygen backbone, and methyl groups are often attached to this. This chemical structure tends to give silicones great stability in different temperatures and around substances that might cause oxidation. Oxidative stress can cause harm to a range of materials as well as lead to disease in the human body. To find out more, see this report from The Guardian.

Other useful properties of silicone include great flexibility and marked resistance to the effects of weather and other chemicals. It’s hardy and relatively inert nature means that it can used in many circumstances, including those where hygiene is important. The chemical structure found in most silicones also means that they tend to be extremely flexible.

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Low Surface Tension

Silicones are generally considered to possess low surface tension and are not easily wetted. However, silicones are able to make each other wet, which gives them the property of being able to form films and surface coverings. This, combined with their flexibility, means that that silicones are uniquely well suited to making a range of silicone hoses with an array of thicknesses and diameters that can be used in medical situations as well as for pumping water, solvents or chemicals. If you want to discover more about what silicone hose manufacturers have to offer, it would be a good idea to contact a trustworthy company in this field, such as https://www.goodflexrubber.com/pages/silicone-hose-manufacture/. Doing some research will quickly reveal what you need to know about silicone hose manufacturers.

Silicones are produced by a number of manufacturers, as they have so many applications in industry, medicine and in the home. They can also be used in the building industry to give masonry protective coatings and can also be usefully deployed as sealants, coatings for paper, adhesives and rubber moulds. They are also used for insulation in electronics and for making consumer goods such as kitchen wares. Silicones are so versatile they have even been used in aerospace applications and as a water-repellent finish for textiles.