“Silicone” and silicon actually refer to two different materials
What is Silicon？
Silicon is a semiconductor material that is an essential building block of electronic devices such as chips and solar cells.
Properties: Silicon is a solid metallic loid element with good electrical conductivity and semiconductor properties.
Uses: In the electronics industry, silicon is used to make integrated circuits, diodes, solar cells, etc.
What is silicone rubber (Silicone):
Silicone rubber is a synthetic material with high elasticity, high temperature resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. It is used in sealing, insulation, medical equipment and other fields.
Properties: Silicone rubber is a polymeric siloxane elastic material with excellent high temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, electrical insulation and other properties.
Uses: In manufacturing, silicone rubber is used to make gaskets, insulation, medical equipment, and more, and is favored for its reliability and versatility.
The difference between silicone and silicone？
Application scope: Silicon is mainly used in the electronics industry, while silicone rubber is more widely used in manufacturing, medical, construction and other fields.
Differences in properties: Silicone rubber is an elastic polymer, while silicon is a metallic loid element. Their properties, uses and application environments are very different.
Temperature range: Silicone rubber is generally able to withstand higher temperatures, while silicone applications are more involved in low-temperature applications in electronic devices.
In modern industry and technology, silicone and silicone rubber play an important role in their respective fields and are key components of many technologies and products.
The development and application of silicone?
development path:
Early experiments: Silica gel was first synthesized and studied in the laboratory by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in the early 20th century. Early silicone was mainly an elastic material.
Improvement and Commercialization: As the properties of silica gel were understood and improved, silica gel began to be commercialized in the mid-20th century. Its unique high temperature resistance, electrical insulation, chemical corrosion resistance and other properties have attracted widespread attention.
Multifunctionality: Later, the manufacturing technology of silicone was continuously improved, allowing it to have a variety of different physical properties, including liquid silicone, solid silicone and foamed silicone, to meet a wider range of application needs.
Application areas:
Electronics industry: Silicone is widely used in the electronics industry for manufacturing sealing gaskets, wire insulation, electronic component packaging, etc. due to its excellent electrical insulation properties.
Medical devices: Medical-grade silicone is used in the manufacture of medical devices, prostheses, medical seals, etc. because of its good biocompatibility, softness, and strong processability.
Construction and Engineering: Silicone is used in the construction and engineering fields for sealing, insulation, and waterproofing applications, such as in windows, door gaps, and concrete joints.
Food industry: Food-grade silicone is used to manufacture baking utensils, food storage containers, etc. because of its food safety, high temperature resistance, and softness.
Automobile industry: Silicone is used in automobile manufacturing to make seals, anti-vibration gaskets, thermal gaskets, etc. because of its anti-aging, high temperature resistance, and earthquake resistance properties.
Optics and Telecommunications: Silica gel is used to manufacture optical lenses, optical devices, fiber optic coatings, etc. due to its high transparency, high temperature resistance, and excellent mechanical properties.
Household products: Silicone is used to make kitchen utensils, tableware, baby pacifiers, etc. because of its softness, high temperature resistance, and food safety properties.
Environmental protection field: Some environmentally friendly silica gels are used for oil-water separation, sewage treatment, etc., and have functions such as adsorption and filtration.