Silicone rubber is an innovative material with silicone, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen forming its composition. This industrial rubber has numerous applications with numerous formations. Silicone is revered for its characteristics, which make it a non-reactive polymer that is resilient to adverse environmental conditions. It is able to retain its vital characteristics even when exposed to extreme temperatures of up to 500o C. This elastomer is easy to manufacture and shape, hence its application to vast, versatile use. This article looks at some of the top useful applications for this product.
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Electronic Applications
Electronics and electrical appliances make use of silicone components for vast uses. Silicon is utilized with electronics in the form of adhesives, seals, insulation tape, lubricant, and resins. It may also be used for coating optical fibers and semi-conductors. Silicone source chemicals for electronics are also a vital application. Silicon is ideally used with these components, given its flexibility, semi-conductive nature, and resilience. It offers a protective layer for processors and circuits in electrical equipment in most cases. Common applications for silicone are seen on soft keypads, keyboards, home entertainment devices, and telephones.
Automotive Applications
The automotive industry has a lot of applications for Silicon rubber. Given the intricate nature of automotive machinery, there is a need for a product that guarantees flexibility, tolerance, and longevity. The characteristics of Silicone rubber suitably meet these needs. This industry makes use of silicone rubber components in numerous ways. Most rubber moldings on automotive machinery are made of silicone rubber. Silicone oligomers are used for coating jobs. Fluid silicone is used with damping, lubrication, and insulation of electronic components. Its bonding and sealing characteristics make it ideal for use on sealing and bonding jobs.
Construction
Construction work often requires effective and robust material. Silicone, given its nature, has numerous applications in this industry. Silicon has an ability to bond with metal hence its use with strengthening metalwork and other adhesive uses. Silicone may also be added to coatings during construction to improve the coating resilience. These coatings offer improved structural resistance to acids, alkali’s, heat, salt, and oils. Silicone may also be used for waterproofing masonry jobs that protect brickwork against water damage. This elastomer is also used to seal windows and frames as they offer resilient hold and waterproofing capabilities.
Medical Applications
Silicon rubber has vast uses in the medical field. Silicon rubber for medical use undergoes stringent testing for biocompatibility to ensure it is safe for medical use. Numerous medical devices are made of silicone as it does not react with the human body or skin. These devices include catheters, feeding tubes, airways, pumps, handpieces for electrosurgical equipment, and earplugs. The silicone used in the medical field has offered life-altering solutions to medical challenges. Silicone rubber may also be used for life betterment procedures and surgeries.
Consumer Products
Many consumer products utilize silicon rubber for multiple uses. Silicon rubber is used in making cooking and backing material. They are also ideally used on food storage containers and products, given their heat resilience capabilities. Silicon rubber may also be used on clothing and apparel, given its non-reactive nature with skin. It also provides vital insulation when incorporated with apparel. It may be used on sportswear, undergarments, and shoes, given its elastic characteristics. Many other household products, such as toothbrushes, are made of food-grade silicone rubber, which is safe for human use. LSR (liquid silicone rubber) is valued for its antibacterial, allergen-free, and odorless nature. It also tends to be UV resistant and can handle extreme temperatures. HT-800 silicone offers top-tier sealing foam capabilities similar to those of a sponge. Evolutions from this silicone technology have brought about valuable products such as the NS-120. These foams tend to be long-lasting, heat resistant, have peak memory and are FDA compliant.
Final Thoughts
Silicone rubber has a lot of practical uses in our daily lives. The applications range across nearly every industry today. These rubbers make it easier and safer for us to carry out our daily duties. Silicone rubber technology is ever-evolving and guarantees peak levels of utility and versatility. Its inherent attributes include flame mitigation, resistance to temperature fluctuations, compound stability, and favorable electrical properties.
