What is silicone?
Silicone is a unique synthetic polymer. Unlike all other polymers it is based on the element silicon.
What are the main advantages of silicone?
Silicone shows greater resistance to extremes of temperature, both low and high, than other polymers. It is highly resistant to both ultra violet and ozone. It can be easily pigmented to a wide range of colours. Silicone retains its flexibility and other properties over a wide range of temperatures.
How is silicone affected by the environment?
Silicone will resist the most extreme hot, cold, wet, dry and humid conditions that can be found. It is also resistant to the UV and Ozone damaged that can cause other rubbers to fail.
Is silicone toxic?
Silicone is not generally considered to be toxic.
Is silicone suitable for food contact?
Silicone can be produced in forms that are suitable for contact with food and drinking water over a wide range of temperatures.
What is the difference between solid and sponge silicone?
Sponge silicones are produced by introducing a chemical blowing agent to the silicone compound. During the manufacturing process this releases gas, which cause a structure of tiny bubbles to form in the silicone. These bubbles enable the production of very soft and easily deformed items in silicone. The temperature and environmental performance of the sponge silicone is the same as that of the solid silicone.
What is the temperature range of silicone?
Most silicones are suitable for use in a temperature range of -60° to +230°C. However, it is possible to supply silicones that can operate to as low as -100°C and as high as 270°C.
Can silicone be submerged in water?
Silicone is not adversely affected by prolonged submersion in either fresh or salt water.
What colours are available?
Silicone can be easily pigmented into a wide range of colours, including metallic, glow in the dark, and even with pigments that will change colour with temperature.
Can silicone prevent the growth of micro-organisms?
Silicone naturally does not support microbiological growth, by introducing special additives to the compound it is possible to produce silicone products that will actively kill bacteria like e-coli and MRSA.