7 Properties of Silicone

Learn more about the properties, uses, and toxicity of this versatile material.

Silicones are an exciting group of polymeric materials available in a number of different forms. Their properties give them a nearly limitless potential for tailoring to the exacting requirements of the medical and aerospace industries. They can seal, lubricate, and satisfy a wide range of other applications.

This article will discuss the physical and mechanical properties that make silicone so useful. It will also introduce the four main groups of silicone materials, touch on manufacturing methods, and explain why silicone could be the perfect material for your application. The table below summarizes the properties of silicone and offers a brief description of each:

Naturally low thermal conductivity; can be increased as needed by adjusting formulation

Non-toxic when used appropriately, with FDA-approved medical and food grades

Highly water repellent

Excellent adhesion to smooth surfaces; forms watertight seals

Resistance to Oxygen, Ozone, and Ultraviolet Light

Extremely resistant to degradation by both radiation and oxidation

Natural insulator, but the addition of filler materials can make silicone conductive

Highly permeable to gas molecules

Physical and mechanical properties remain stable across a wide temperature range

Organic Solvent Resistance

Resistant to attack by most chemicals.

Table 1. Properties of Silicone

1. Silicones Are Non-Chemically Reactive and Have Low Thermal Conductivity

It takes a lot of energy to break the bonds of the silicon-oxygen chains that form the polymeric skeleton of silicone molecules. Because most chemicals that silicones come into contact with do not have enough energy to overcome the silicone molecule’s resistance to change, there is little driving force for chemical reactions. Thus, silicone is considered generally non-chemically reactive. These stable silicone bonds are the basis for many of the desirable properties of silicone.

Silicones generally have low thermal conductivity. This is because the molecular structure of silicone tends to impede the transfer of heat vibrations from one molecule to the next. This can be desirable for some uses of silicone, like oven mitts. But in other situations, the inability to efficiently transfer heat is a problem. In that case, thermally conductive fillers can be added to the silicone formulation to improve the heat transfer required for the intended application.

2. Silicone Toxicity Is Also Low

Silicone is considered a very safe material for human health. Food-grade and medical-grade silicone compounds are FDA-approved for use in contact with the food we eat every day, and even for long-term implantation in the human body. As with all chemicals, however, it is important to use silicone products according to the manufacturer’s instructions to maintain the highest levels of safety.

3. Silicone Has the Ability To Repel Water and Form Watertight Seals

Silicone is what is known as a “hydrophobic” material. It repels water. This is because the methyl groups attached to the silicon-oxygen polymer chain are non-polar in nature. It is not attracted to water molecules. Its low surface energy gives water molecules no way to spread over and penetrate the silicone surface. Instead, water beads up and runs off. This great water repellency, combined with silicone’s ability to form a tight adhesive bond with many surfaces, means that silicone sealing products can form seals that last for decades.

4. Silicone Has a High Resistance to Oxygen, Ozone, and UV Light

The silicon-oxygen bonds in silicones are more stable than those between the carbon atoms in organic polymer chains. The amount of energy that can be provided by UV light is higher than that needed to break down C-C bonds, but not enough to damage Si-O bonds. This is why silicones are more resistant to UV light and oxidation than carbon-based plastics. Silicones can be used for components exposed to harsh outdoor weather.

5. Silicone Is Electrically Insulative As Well as Conductive

Standard silicone rubber is naturally an insulator. It has no free electrons available to carry a positive or negative charge. That is perfect for many applications, especially in the medical industry, where the insulative property is critical. But silicone can be coaxed into being conductive enough for applications like gaskets and static shields. This is accomplished by adding fillers to the silicone such as carbon, silver, or other conductive materials.

6. Silicone Has Excellent Gas Permeability and Thermal Stability

Silicone’s molecular chains contain openings that are large enough to allow gas molecules to pass through, but not water molecules. This combination of water repellency and gas permeability yields coatings that give us the luxury of water-resistant, breathable fabrics.

A key property of silicone rubbers is their thermal stability. Silicone maintains its critical mechanical and physical properties within defined design limits over a large range of temperatures. Depending on the exact nature of the silicone product, the minimum service temperature in the air may be as low as -136 °C, and the maximum as high as 316 °C.

7. Silicone Has Superior Resistance to Organic Compound Solvents

Silicone is resistant to attack by most chemicals due to its non-reactive structure and low surface energy. However, a few inorganic chemicals, notably sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids at high concentrations, will damage silicones. Among organic compounds which might act as solvents, toluene, mineral spirits, gasoline, and carbon tetrachloride cause deterioration in silicones only after prolonged exposure.

Why You Should Use Silicone as a Material

The properties of silicone offer numerous benefits. Here are a few ways that both manufacturers and end-users can benefit from its unique characteristics:

• Silicones are safe. They are one of the go-to materials for making implantable medical devices.
• Silicones have good dimensional stability. They maintain their strength and shape over a wide range of temperatures.
• Silicones are chemically non-reactive in most environments. They do not degrade under exposure to moisture, fuels and oils, heat, cold, salt spray, or ultraviolet light.
• Silicones can take any shape. Silicones come as liquids, viscous pastes, rubbery sheets, and hard, plastic-like consistencies. They can be used as coatings, made into injection- or compression-molded parts, stamped, formed into tubing, and used as lubricants.

Where Silicone Is Prepared

Chemical factories produce raw silicone materials. These facilities can process the required chemical precursors and catalysts in bulk, repeatedly, and precisely.

In the factory, silica (usually from sand) is turned into silicon in a high-temperature reaction with carbon. Through a sequence of complex chemical reactions, the silicon is then combined with water and methanol to form basic silicone products packaged as liquids, gels, or sheets. Component fabricators then apply the appropriate molding or other industrial processes to create final products for customers.

Silicone's Chemical Composition

Silicone, technically referred to as “polysiloxane,” consists of a chain of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. Silicon atoms, like carbon atoms, have space for four covalent bonds with other atoms. Two of those spots are occupied by oxygen atoms, one on each side. The other two spots will bond with other molecular groups that are available. The general chemical formula for silicone is [R2SiO]n. “R” indicates whatever groups are attached to the silicon atoms. The most common, basic silicone has methyl groups (CH3) attached in the available slots, yielding an inorganic (since it is not carbon-based) polymeric structure. Technically, this is called polydimethylsiloxane.

Silicone's Mechanical Properties

Silicone rubbers are generally strong and flexible over a broad range of temperatures. By design, the mechanical properties of silicone materials cover a wide range. Table 2 below gives an indication of this variability: