Silicone Properties and Applications
Silicone characteristics
The versatile properties of silicone enable it to be used in a wide range of industries including medical, aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, subsea, food and more.
Here are some of the characteristics that make it such an excellent material.
Thermal stability and insulation
Silicone can operate effectively in both extremely high and low temperatures retaining its flexibility in the latter. This makes it suitable for many aerospace and subsea applications. It is also flame retardant and offers excellent electrical insulation making it a good choice for instrumentation and electronics. At DP Seals we can also make silicone conductive with the use of carbon nanotube technology, silver loaded particles and other additives.
Resistant, naturally inert, and non-toxic
In addition to excellent temperature resistance silicone can be formulated so that it is also resistant to many other materials including bases, acids, chemicals, oil and fungus. Its chemical and biological inertness make it an excellent choice of material, particularly in the medical industry where it remains non-reactive to chemicals and human tissue. It is also ideal for many other industries where rubber mouldings are required to operate in hazardous environments.
Non-porous
Porosity is obviously of major concern for the medical industry. Porous rubber materials that trap bacteria, fluids or other microorganisms can cause infection or irregularities in the surface of devices which impact on performance. A major benefit in this respect is that medical grade silicone is non-porous.
Silicone sterilisation
Compatible with FDA regulations, silicone can withstand electron beam, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, steam autoclaving and dry heat sterilisation methods.
Silicone properties moulding versatility
Silicone can be manufactured as translucent or can be colour matched to a particular pantone or RAL code, or even glow in the dark. It is easy to mould and customise, making it a great material for innovative designs and custom rubber seals, gaskets and mouldings.
Dynamic
Silicone is also an extremely dynamic material with mechanical properties for excellent reliability and durability.
To find out more about the properties of silicone and its common applications visit our silicone page.
Common silicone materials
Here are a couple of other useful links to common silicone materials we use:
At DP Seals we are material specialists. We produce custom rubber compounds enabling us to supply materials to your exact requirements. Please get in touch with our materials technologists so we can discuss your needs.