Silicone Product Knowledge Hub | Materials, Safety & Manufacturing Guide – QLINK
Explore professional silicone product knowledge from QLINK , including material properties, food-grade safety, BPA-free standards, and silicone manufacturing processes for global buyers.
Silicone Basics – Extended Professional Version
Definition & Composition
- Silicone is a synthetic elastomer derived from silicon (Si), a naturally occurring element found in sand (silica). Chemically, it consists of repeating units of siloxane (Si–O–Si) bonds, combined with carbon and hydrogen. This structure provides silicone with unique properties compared to organic rubbers and plastics.
Key Characteristics
Inorganic backbone (Si–O–Si chain) → Exceptional thermal stability and aging resistance.
Organic side groups (methyl, phenyl, vinyl) → Flexibility, hydrophobicity, and chemical compatibility.
Stable performance across a wide temperature range: -40°C to +230°C (some grades up to +300°C).
Excellent resistance to UV, ozone, and oxidation.
Non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and inert – making it ideal for medical-grade and food-contact applications.
Forms of Silicone
- Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) – Injection moldable, high transparency, used for baby nipples, medical tubing.
- High Consistency Rubber (HCR) – Milled and compression molded, used for kitchenware, gaskets, seals.
- Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) – Used for prototyping, sealants, coatings.
Silicone Material Advantages
Heat Resistance (-40°C to 230°C)
Food-safe & Non-toxic (BPA-free)
Flexible yet Durable
Easy to Clean & Dishwasher-safe
Resistant to Aging & UV
LSR – Liquid Silicone Rubber
- Features: Two-component liquid system, mixed and cured by heating in injection molding; high transparency, precise dimensions, ideal for complex geometries and thin-wall parts.
- Processing: Liquid Injection Molding (LIM), suitable for multi-cavity high-speed production.
- Advantages: Low shrinkage, low odor, no by-products, suitable for food-grade and medical-grade uses.
- Typical Applications: Pacifiers, teething toys, medical catheters, valve membranes, waterproof seals in electronics.
Applications by Industry
HCR – High Consistency Rubber
- Features: Solid “gum” form, requires high-temperature vulcanization, offering high mechanical strength and tear resistance.
- Processing: Compression molding, calendaring, extrusion; can use peroxide or platinum addition curing.
- Advantages: Good flex fatigue resistance, wear resistance; suitable for medium to thick-walled and large-size parts.
- Typical Applications: Baking mats, spatulas, suction bowls, gaskets, seals, cable sheaths.
Applications by Industry
RTV – Room Temperature Vulcanizing Silicone Rubber
- Features: Available in one- or two-component systems, cures at room temperature through chemical reaction; strong adhesion to many substrates.
- Processing: Direct coating, potting, casting without high-temperature equipment.
- Advantages: Easy to use, suitable for in-place sealing or coating large components.
- Typical Applications: Prototype molding, electronic potting compounds, construction sealants, protective coatings.
Applications by Industry
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