Questions You Should Know about Silicone Fluids

Silicone questions quick links

To help you navigate our frequently asked questions page you can click on the links below to quickly get to the answer you need.

For more information, please visit OSi Silicone.

What is silicone?

Silicone is a unique synthetic polymer. Unlike all other polymers, it is based on silicon, an element known for its versatility and durability. Discover more in our introduction to Silicone.

What are the main advantages of silicone?

Silicone boasts impressive resistance to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, surpassing that of other polymers. Additionally, it can be easily colored and maintains its flexibility throughout a wide temperature range.

• Exceptional flexibility making it ideal for numerous applications, including high-speed rail.
• Minimizes high-volume noise transmission.
• Reduces vibrations and stabilizes joints where silicone is applied.
• Can function as a precision sealing material, even in harsh environments.
• Provides thermal insulation to prevent unwanted heat transfer.

Learn more about the full benefits of Silicone in our handy guide.

What silicone products does Silicone Engineering produce?

Silicone Engineering has been manufacturing silicone rubber products since [year]. Below is a list of our primary silicone offerings:

• Cellular silicone sheets and rolls
• Solid silicone sheets and rolls
• Fabric reinforced sheets and rolls
• Extruded cellular silicone
• Extruded solid silicone

Is Silicone better than EPDM?

Generally, Silicone can be applied in a wider variety of situations than EPDM, which has its own specific applications. Explore our feature article on the differences between EPDM and Silicone.

• Silicone can endure a broader temperature range from -60°C to +230°C.
• Unlike EPDM, which may shrink by 51% when heated above 150°C, Silicone remains stable under heat.
• While EPDM has a bit more mechanical strength, it cannot match the heat and cold resistance of Silicone.

How expensive is silicone?

The price of silicone is often attributed to the challenging process of harvesting and processing it, along with the quality of the final product. Additional factors that influence cost can be found in our detailed guide: Why is silicone more expensive than other rubbers?.

How is silicone affected by the environment?

Silicone can withstand the most extreme hot, cold, wet, dry, and humid conditions. Additionally, it resists UV and Ozone damage, which can degrade other rubber materials.

For more details on the lifespan of silicone products, check out our blog on What is the shelf life of Silicone?.

Additional reading:
Key Questions to Ask When Ordering 1,3-Dimethyl-2,6-Dioxo-4-Aminotetrahydropyrimidine

Is silicone toxic?

Silicone is generally regarded as non-toxic, making it the preferred choice for many food and beverage processing applications, as well as household kitchen items like utensils and bakeware.

Our silicone engineering team has developed FDA-approved silicone sponge sheets, broadening its application in the food and beverage sector.

What is the difference between solid and sponge silicone?

Sponge silicones are produced using a chemical blowing agent in the silicone compound, leading to a structure with tiny bubbles that permit the creation of soft and easily deformable silicone products. The temperature and environmental performance of sponge silicone mirror that of solid silicone.

What is the temperature range of silicone?

Our silicone products can operate effectively within a constant temperature range of -60°C to +230°C. Some specially formulated grades can withstand temperatures as high as 300°C for intermittent periods.

For further inquiries, consult our Silicone temperature guide.

Can silicone be submerged in water?

Yes, silicone is resilient and unaffected by prolonged immersion in both fresh and salt water.

What colours are available?

Silicone can be easily pigmented to produce a wide array of colors. Silicone Engineering also offers color-matching services, along with glow-in-the-dark options and pigments that change color with temperature.

Can silicone prevent the growth of microorganisms?

Silicone naturally does not support microbiological growth. By incorporating specific additives, we can create silicone products that actively eliminate bacteria such as E. coli and MRSA, like our NeutraSil™ anti-microbial silicone.