About Silicones

Uses &
Benefits

Silicones bring unique performances and properties that make them the material of choice for countless essential applications in our day-to-day lives. They can make materials that do not want to stick together adhere. They are thermally stable meaning they retain their properties under high thermal stress (which means severe temperature changes). They help cool systems down, insulate, lubricate, protect and much more!

Energy
Transport &
Mobility
Digital
Healthcare
Construction
Food contact
materials
Transport &
Mobility
Energy
Digital
Healthcare
Construction
Food contact materials

Transport & Mobility

As modern transportation becomes faster, more reliable, and more efficient, the demand for materials to have better performance increases. Smaller parts of cars, trains or ships are required to resist exposure to extreme heat, moisture, salt, and fuels. This is where silicones play a vital role as they are able to withstand these conditions while retaining their properties. For instance, the ability of silicones to dissipate heat in Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries is critical as the share of electric cars in the EU is expected to increase to up to 90% by 2050.

Silicones also contribute to vehicle weight reduction, which in turn results in increased energy efficiency and lower emissions, mainly CO2. Silicones ensure that cars, airplanes, and trains operate safely and efficiently for the long haul.

Read our statement on the Sustainable & Mobility package

Find out more

Learn more about
our Decarbonisation Study

Read more
Mobility & Automotive (EV)
  • Protection of PTC heaters
  • Electric engine protection
  • Thermal protection of electronics
  • External Coatings

 

  • Battery sealing & bonding
  • Cylindrical cells
  • Battery protection
  • Poach & prismatic cells
  • External coatings
  • Radiator seals and hoses
  • Foam stabilisers in spoilers, bumpers, doors
  • Encapsulation for electronic components
  • Silicone lubricants for breaks
  • Coatings and sealants in airbags
  • Cleaning fluids for electronic products
  • Protection of PTC heat
  • Lighting (LED, Sealing Systems)
Aerospace & Rail
  • Sensors
  • Fuel tank
  • Engine component
  • Avionic display units
  • Circuits and terminals
  • Windows & Cabin doors
  • LED modules
  • Black box encapsulant
  • Radome sealant
  • Computers
  • Foaming
Mobility & Automotive (EV)
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  • Protection of PTC heaters
  • Electric engine protection
  • Thermal protection of electronics
  • External Coatings

 

  • Battery sealing & bonding
  • Cylindrical cells
  • Battery protection
  • Poach & prismatic cells
1 / 3
  • External coatings
  • Radiator seals and hoses
  • Foam stabilisers in spoilers, bumpers, doors
  • Encapsulation for electronic components
  • Silicone lubricants for breaks
  • Coatings and sealants in airbags
  • Cleaning fluids for electronic products
  • Protection of PTC heat
  • Lighting (LED, Sealing Systems)
Aerospace & Rail
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  • Sensors
  • Fuel tank
  • Engine component
  • Avionic display units
  • Circuits and terminals
  • Windows & Cabin doors
  • LED modules
  • Black box encapsulant
  • Radome sealant
  • Computers
  • Foaming
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A selection of transport
applications using silicones

Electric Vehicles
ABS sensor and sealing
Planes
Ferries
Trains
Airbags

Electric Vehicles

Silicones are one of the enablers of the transition towards a decarbonised mobility sector. Owing to their ability to insulate, protect from water, dust, and shocks and withstand temperature changes, silicones help ensure batteries in electric vehicles remain stable, efficient and safe.

They also provide easier detachment of individual battery cells which facilitates repairability. Silicones are integral to EV batteries, where they prolong their longevity and protect them from environmental damage.

They also provide easier detachment of individual battery cells which facilitates repairability. Silicones are integral to EV batteries, where they prolong their longevity and protect them from environmental damage.

ABS sensor and sealing

An anti lock braking system (ABS) sensor helps determine the rotation of the wheel, and it’s speed to help avoid wheel lock up when braking.

In ABS, silicones are used as sealants which connect different parts of the ABS. In addition silicones help to insulate parts of the ABS from the external environment.

In ABS, silicones are used as sealants which connect different parts of the ABS. In addition silicones help to insulate parts of the ABS from the external environment.

Planes

In an increasingly globalised world, taking a flight has become a common activity. Through its high resistance to varying temperatures and mouldability, silicones are used in airplane gaskets for cabin doors and windows.

This contributes to a safe trip through precise airtightness and preventing the infiltration of outside air. Due to their unique properties, silicones further facilitate the protection against vibration and noise while providing sealing for circuits vulnerable to heat and high temperatures.

This contributes to a safe trip through precise airtightness and preventing the infiltration of outside air. Due to their unique properties, silicones further facilitate the protection against vibration and noise while providing sealing for circuits vulnerable to heat and high temperatures.

Ferries

Silicone sealants are engineered to withstand marine environment, which can be harsh. For instance, they are also weather-resistant, which means that they can repel mildew and be used as a non-yellowing seal in above waterline applications, at the same time reducing build-up of dirt.

They can also avoid the build-up of organisms that live in the water to the hull, which reduces drag in the water and can help increase fuel efficiency. Finally, given that silicones are also high-temperature resistant and remain flexible after many years of exposure to different factors, this allows for better durability.

They can also avoid the build-up of organisms that live in the water to the hull, which reduces drag in the water and can help increase fuel efficiency. Finally, given that silicones are also high-temperature resistant and remain flexible after many years of exposure to different factors, this allows for better durability.

Trains

In trains, silicones are used in shock absorbers. They also insulate and protect important electrical components, making an important contribution to the development of high-speed trains which are deployed in many parts of the world.

These trains are extremely dependent on highly resistant and durable materials for electrical insulation and protection.

These trains are extremely dependent on highly resistant and durable materials for electrical insulation and protection.

Airbags

The development and installation of airbags in cars is a milestone in vehicle safety. Highly durable, gas-tight fabrics are crucial to the performance of airbags. This is why they are coated with silicones on the inside.

The silicone coating ensures that the bag, which protects the driver and passengers, remains gas-tight and heat-resistant. In addition, the coating retains its properties year after year, as it does not deteriorate with time.

The silicone coating ensures that the bag, which protects the driver and passengers, remains gas-tight and heat-resistant. In addition, the coating retains its properties year after year, as it does not deteriorate with time.

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A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES. 

Silicones have thousands of applications that collectively bring safety, comfort and enjoyment to life.

up to

18,000 tonnes

annual sale of products
containing silicones in the
energy sector
in Europe (2018)

€120 mln

the total sales value
of energy products containing silicones
in Europe. (2018)

Take a look for yourself and see how silicones help enable a sustainable and digital future across industrial ecosystems, as defined by the EU’s industrial strategy aiming to support the twin transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.
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