Silicones are a household of excessive-performance materials whose unique molecular construction mean that they can come in many alternative forms, including liquids, solids, semi-viscous pastes, oils, greases and rubber. We use this versatile rubber material in a spread of settings, from visual, silicone products highly aesthetic components to meals-grade kitchen utensils. In this article, Martin’s Rubber explains the advantages and disadvantages of silicone rubber.
What’s silicone rubber?
Silicone is a exceptional material. This semi-natural synthetic rubber (to not be confused with the chemical aspect silicon) consists of a sequence of silicon and oxygen atoms, as opposed to the carbon and hydrogen atoms prevalent in most other kinds of rubber.
This molecular construction is a blended blessing in terms of silicone’s properties.
On the one hand, this backbone of siloxane bonds gives silicone its low thermal conductivity, resulting in an especially heat resistant and thermally stable material. However, whilst stable and versatile, silicone’s chain is weak, which means it tears simply.
Let’s look at the benefits and disadvantages of silicone rubber in larger detail.
Benefits of silicone rubber
Here are simply a few of the primary benefits of silicone rubber:
Heat resistant
One among the principle benefits of silicone rubber is its heat resistance. It provides outstanding high-temperature resistance, silicone gadget with some compounds able to withstand temperatures up to 305 °C. Silicone’s thermal stability means it retains its structure and properties over a wide temperature vary. This extends to low temperatures too, which means this artificial rubber can maintain its flexibility even at -100°C.
Hygienic
Have you ever ever questioned why so many kitchen utensils are fabricated from silicone? Well, that’s as a result of one other advantage of silicone rubber is its non-porous nature. This makes it resistant to bacterial construct-up, making silicone significantly useful in meals and beverage applications, the place food-grade compounds can present whole peace of thoughts. Silicone is also non-toxic, water-repellent and recyclable at specialised plants.
Disadvantages of silicone rubber
Listed here are a number of the disadvantages of silicone rubber:
Tear power
Certainly one of the foremost disadvantages of silicone rubber is its poor tear energy. This can be improved with the addition of other elements, however it doesn’t naturally provide energy or abrasion resistance, so the applying needs to be fastidiously assessed for the suitability of silicone as a solution.
Value
One other drawback of silicone elastomers is that as a premium product they can include a equally premium worth tag in comparison with another rubber supplies. However, this preliminary outlay is commonly offset by improvements in uptime and quality control. Once more, speaking to a specialist like Martin’s Rubber will enable you to realize a clearer understanding of silicone’s ROI with regards to your particular utility.
Like all materials, silicone has its advantages and shortcomings. Should you loved this information and silicone mold you would love to receive much more information relating to silicone gadget generously visit our own web page. Regardless of a few of its extra spectacular qualities, it definitely isn’t applicable for every utility. To search out out extra about the advantages of silicone or to debate how our rubber moulding providers can support your utility requirements in more detail, converse to one of our pleasant and knowledgeable consultants here at Martin’s Rubber. They will be solely too happy to supply their advice and steerage.
