Silicone rubber is made of silicone, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. When heat is applied alongside a catalyst, it cures and becomes a rubber. It is a truly flexible material, as it can be formulated in many different ways depending on its intended application.
Advantageous Properties
Silicone has a vast temperature range, making it an excellent material for resisting extremes of weather. As it can withstand between -60° C and +200° C, it is weather- and ozone-resistant as well as being suitable for use in elevated levels of ultraviolet light. It is also an excellent flame retardant. This makes it suitable for use in the insulation of electricals, preventing fire and damage to due to extreme cold.
Silicone hosing can be used for domestic purposes and for industrial and medical applications. In the medical industry, silicone rubber is being used in much of the equipment that requires flexible hosing and even in contact lenses for eyes. Medical advances are coming up with new ways to use silicone rubber all the time, including keyboards where hygiene is a priority.
Many of us associate rubber with hosing, such as its industrial applications for a Silicone Hose Manufacturer. Silicone rubber can be elongated and will maintain its shape following adaption, so it is not surprising that it is used heavily in this industry by companies such as goodflexrubber.com.
Due to its resistance to liquid solvents as well as its resistance to abrasion, silicone rubber can be used in the auto-industry for car parts as well as in tyres. It can also be found around the kitchen in cooking spoons that need to be able to withstand heat as well as maintain their structural integrity with repeated use. Other uses for silicone around the kitchen include foldable drinking bottles and travel cups.
Disadvantages of Silicone Rubber
There are very few disadvantages to using silicone rubber. The main disadvantage of is the cost. It is sensitive to other substances such as sulphur clay. This can prevent the silicone rubber from curing properly. When it is used in production, it must be degassed in a vacuum, as failure to do so will result in bubbling. It is also a very thick material with high viscosity. These issues can have an effect when it comes to industrial production and its associated costs.