| Silicone (formally referred to as polymerized | | | | durability are some of the reasons silicone |
| siloxane or polysiloxane) refers to any of a | | | | benefits aviation and aerospace. Silicone rubber |
| number of polymers containing alternate silicon | | | | sealants are currently used to fasten interior and |
| and oxygen atoms, whose properties are | | | | exterior doors, windows and paneling. Fluid |
| determined by the organic groups attached to the | | | | resistance makes silicone ideal for fuel control |
| silicon atoms. Silicone is fluid, resinous, rubbery, | | | | diaphragms, hydraulic lines and cable clamp blocks. |
| extremely stable in high temperatures, and | | | | Silicone rubber keypads are even used in |
| water-repellent, making them ideal for use as | | | | computers on earth and in space. |
| adhesives, lubricants, hydraulic oils and insulation in | | | | Silicone sealants are commonly used to seal gaps, |
| a broad array of fields. | | | | joints, and crevices in buildings being constructed |
| One of the key elements of silicone is its ability to | | | | or renovated. Both professional and retail grade |
| maintain it's mechanical properties over a wide | | | | silicones are abundantly available for this purpose. |
| range of temperatures, -80° F - 400° F | | | | These one-part silicone sealants cure by absorbing |
| (60° C - 205° C) and in some cases | | | | atmospheric moisture, which helps in the |
| normality can be sustained in an even broader | | | | professional installation. A moistened finger or |
| range of temperatures. | | | | damp cloth is all that is needed to apply, and |
| Silicone is often mistakenly referred to as "silicon". | | | | many do-it-yourselfers typically use this method |
| Although silicones contain silicon atoms, they are | | | | to apply silicone caulking. Similar methods work for |
| not made up exclusively of silicon, and have | | | | urethane caulking, the largest competitor of |
| completely different physical characteristics from | | | | silicone caulking. |
| the element silicon. | | | | Silicone demand in the US will grow 4.7 percent |
| Silicone gaskets and pads are available in open cell | | | | annually through 2010, driven by performance and |
| foams, closed cell sponges, various durometer | | | | environmental advantages over acrylic, |
| solids, and is readily molded in a wide variety of | | | | polyurethane, and rubber. Silicone fluids have, and |
| colors. There are high tear strength silicones, | | | | will continue to have the highest demand. Demand |
| reinforced silicones, electrically conductive silicones, | | | | for silicone gels will grow faster based on |
| and thermally conductive silicones. | | | | renewed growth in the electronics sector. |
| There are silicone foams that are UL94-V0 rated | | | | Silicone gels are essential to the electronics sector, |
| which is commonly required in the transit and | | | | where highly specialized applications call for greater |
| electronic sectors. It performs well in compression | | | | demands on the sealing materials. Silicone rubber is |
| set tests, and silicone is also naturally UV resistant | | | | used to insulate, seal and protect circuits, engine |
| which makes it ideal for numerous outdoor | | | | gaskets, control unit gaskets, electronic |
| applications. | | | | encapsulation, and special elements for decoupling |
| Extreme temperature resistance, stability with | | | | noise. |
| extreme environmental and chemical stress, and | | | | |