Performance Properties
Our society is increasingly dependent on high performance materials. Almost every product around us needs to work better, longer and more reliably than its equivalent – if one existed – even as little as thirty years ago.
Silicones have countless performance qualities
They play an increasingly important role supporting improvement, innovation and progress in a wide range of industry sectors, from automobiles to electronics to textiles. In essence, silicones make things work better. Their main characteristics can be divided according to the following concepts.
Adhesion
Adhesion
Silicones' excellent adhesion properties are a product of the chemical bond between organic polymer matrices and substrates that are traditionally difficult to adhere to, like glass, metal and stone.
Stability
Stability
Silicones resist high temperatures and their physical characteristics vary very little, even under extreme temperature conditions, which is why many industrial fluids are formulated with silicone as a base.
Insulation
Insulation
Silicones play a major role in the protection and insulation of electro-technical equipment.
Lubrication
Lubrication
Silicone lubricants, based on fluids, pastes or greases, are designed to reduce friction between different body parts that are in contact such as plastics, rubbers, metals and glass.
Foam control
Foam control
Silicone foam controllers are used in detergents as well as in the separation of crude oil from water and the production of pulp for papermaking in the medical and construction industries.
Surface protecting
Surface protecting
Over the years, buildings suffer considerable physical and chemical damage caused by water penetrating into building materials. However, thanks to silicones, water repellent products protect these materials from such damage.
Spreading
Spreading
Paints, varnishes and printing inks are applied as thin layers on a variety of substrates. The applied films have relatively large surface areas compared to their volume, and a correspondingly large contact area with respect to the substrate.
Biological compatibility
Biological compatibility
Silicones provide qualities that people value and seek in cosmetics. For example, silicones give the skin a smooth and soft feeling and help it contain its moisture.