Silicones, Silicone-Organic Hybrids and Silanes

Silicones are synthetic polymers made up of silicon and oxygen, combined with other elements that are most typically carbon and hydrogen. It is a versatile material known for its outstanding temperature and oxidative stability, high resistance to natural aging processes, and chemical inertness. 

Silicon-based materials are available in several forms—gasses, fluids, gums and solids—with properties that are substantially differentiated from organic-based offerings. Silanes and silicones can be easily formulated into curable compositions with unique properties and performance benefits, and they can be modified with organic functionality to tailor features derived from combinations of inorganic and organic character that enable a diverse range of important applications.

What makes silanes and silicones distinct is the silicon atom that is abundant in the earth’s crust as sand, also known as quartz. The silicon atom in these materials is typically bonded to a combination of oxygen atoms and a simple organic component primarily derived from methanol. Increasing the silicon-oxygen content makes these materials more “glass-like,” contributing to high thermal stability, durability and a “solid” form.

Whereas increasing the silicon-organic content makes them more “organic-like,” contributing to their unique surface characteristics, water repellency and a “fluid” form. Silicone properties and forms are defined by the balance of these contributions. Attaching more complex organic groups to these basic structures enables “silicone-organic hybrids,” providing an extraordinary range of properties and societal benefits.

We do not recommend use of our products beyond their usable life.

~ -120C, but in general should be used in a range of -45°C up to +150°C. There is crystalization in most silicones at -45°C and below, which change the mechanical/optical performance of the product.

Polydimethylsiloxane does not absorb almost any of the higher energy UV light under 310 nm or so, and not enough to cause Si-O bonds to break.