Sophisticated chemical building block
Silicones are a family of specialty, high performance polymers. The silicone family includes silicones, siloxanes and silanes, all of which are widely used as intermediate building blocks in thousands of products from airbags to cookware to textiles.
Silicones are produced by synthesizing silicon - one of the earth's most common elements. Modifying the silicon molecule through the addition of carbon molecules produces polymers that, in essence, combine the physical qualities of a metal with the diversity of plastics. The result is an extremely strong, durable, versatile material with a wide range of high-performance properties.
Due to their molecular structure, silicones can be manufactured in more than 2,000 different forms including solids, liquids, semi-viscous pastes, greases, oils and rubber.
Silicones have an exceptional breadth of chemical and physical properties. Silicones are strong but flexible and resist moisture, chemicals, heat, cold and ultraviolet radiation. Products made with silicones take on these and other important properties so they are stronger, more stable, more aesthetically pleasing, easier to use or apply and longer lasting.