What Is Liquid Silicone?

From:admin 2013-12-17

Liquid silicone is one type of silicon polymer that is frequently used to create molds for various industrial products. It is most commonly used in molds for rubber, resin, foam, and metals that have a low melting point. Household items, such as rubber spatulas, baking dishes, and baby bottle nipples, are also made from this material. Generally, liquid silicone is favored over other materials for these applications because of its flexibility, viscosity, strength, versatility, and lower costs.

Most silicone rubbers have a high tolerance for heat, fire, and cold. This makes them ideal molds for certain metal alloys, as they will be able to hold metals that melt at reasonably low temperatures. The cost of liquid silicone molds is generally lower than the ceramic molds typically used for metals. Liquid silicone is also chemically inert, which makes it a good candidate for products that come into contact with food, or for molds that come into contact with more reactive compounds. It is also water resistant due to its chemical structure, which includes hydrophobic, or water-fearing, methyl groups.

The qualities of liquid silicone can be tailored to the specific needs of the manufacturer because it is an adjustable silicone mixture. For instance, the chemicals added to the silicone mixture could either strengthen it as an electrical insulator, or could change it into a conductor. The color, opacity, firmness, and texture of the liquid silicone can also be adjusted, making it a practical choice for a wide range of household products.