Silicone is valuable in multiple products and industries due to its durability, flexibility and ability to resist high temperatures. In what sectors do manufacturers take advantage of silicone? Here are eight innovative uses of this pertinent polymer.
1. Assisting 3D Printing
3D printing has become integral to engineers, who use it to generate prototypes. Manufacturers can rapidly create physical models of customized implants or automotive parts to reduce production time and overhead costs.
Silicone’s flexibility enhances this process by creating molds for casting materials and producing complex shapes that are more challenging to make with traditional methods.
Engineering professionals previously only used silicone for injection and compression molding, but the tide has turned with new technologies that have brought this polymer into the mainstream.
Modern engineers can now use silicone for 3D printing without affecting its thermal properties. While 3D printing with silicone requires specialized liquids, it has been a game-changer in manufacturing.
2. Automotive Production
Automakers have used silicone to produce gaskets since the late 20th century. The polymer’s stellar temperature and chemical resistance allow it to withstand harsh conditions inside factories and on the road. When silicone seals essential parts of the vehicle, it keeps drivers safe from unwanted issues and protects their wallets from costly repairs.
Manufacturers also use silicone in other vehicle parts, such as vacuum lines and weatherstripping in doors. This polymer has maintained a critical role in electric vehicles, which annually increase their market share.
Modern engineering professionals use the polymer to create insulation materials for battery packs and charging cables.
3. Securing Other Transportation Methods
Besides automobiles, silicone influences other aspects of the transportation industry. Aviation benefits from the polymer because it protects crucial parts of airplanes and helicopters.
Silicone can endure high production temperatures and unique flying conditions. Malleability ensures it can fit numerous types of planes.
Silicone completes the trifecta by enhancing train performance. Rail professionals require this durable material to protect the railcars from weather, dust and other factors.
Trains may travel through areas with extreme temperatures, so silicone is crucial for HVAC seals and gaskets, maintaining a stable climate. The polymer also benefits rail by mitigating snow buildup on train tracks and doors.
4. Creating Medical Devices
Silicone is fundamental to more everyday products than the average person may realize. For example, manufacturers use it when producing lifesaving medical devices like respiratory masks and IVs.
The siloxane-backed polymer is generally safe for humans, so patients aren’t likely to have adverse reactions when contacting it. Silicone’s flexibility makes it ideal to fit faces without excess pressure or irritation.
Medical devices face stringent safety guidelines regarding sterilization, so health care professionals benefit from silicone products.
Extreme heat, gamma radiation and other sterilization tactics don’t adversely affect silicone, making it convenient and reliable in medical settings. The polymer also stands out because of its clarity, which allows health care workers to monitor fluids flowing in and out of patients.
5. Assembling Consumer Electronics
Consumer electronics is another area that benefits from silicone and modern engineering strategies. From household computers to video displays in airplanes, silicone protects electronics from dust, moisture and other dangerous contaminants.
Electrical risks are also a liability, so the polymer absorbs shocks when electronic devices fall to the ground.
Its use in modern consumer electronics also expands to battery terminals. For instance, silicone grease tolerates a wide temperature range and is terrific for lubricating these components.
While the lubricant is compatible with automotive batteries, consumers can also apply it to TV remotes, toys and power tools. Silicone’s temperature resistance means it won’t liquefy when electronics get too hot.
6. Sports Equipment
Athletes who rely on pads or grips might not realize silicone is in their sports gear. Manufacturers produce gloves with a silicone coating to increase the grip, thus making it useful for football receivers.
Players in numerous sports benefit from silicone mouthguards, as they protect the mouth and jaw from contact and are soft enough for long-term use.
Silicone has become an increasingly critical component for equipment manufacturers because of its shock-absorbing properties. It also makes helmets more comfortable, preventing concussions and other head injuries among athletes who play contact sports.
7. Producing Cookware
Households and professional kitchens benefit from silicone’s presence in cookware. Inserting the robust polymer into silicone-backed baking molds and spatulas simplifies cooking and baking.
Its ability to withstand high oven or stovetop temperatures makes silicone superior to plastic and other tools. Silicone also maintains its composition in the dishwasher.
Silicone benefits cookware manufacturers and consumers because it doesn’t leak chemicals into prepared food. While it only tolerates temperatures up to about 428 degrees Fahrenheit, silicone is generally safe when cooking.
Manufacturers also take advantage of silicone’s flexibility to mold it into different shapes. Its versatility and aesthetic appeal make this polymer essential in the baking industry.
8. Increasing Thermal Insulation
Silicone’s use in construction has risen in tandem with demands for sustainability. Engineering professionals often use it to produce waterproof barriers between joints and seams in the bathroom and kitchen.
Due to their flexibility, silicone products accommodate homes in numerous climate regions. Homeowners can also pair them with different materials like glass, wood and metal.
Silicone has also become vital for building materials, especially insulation. The polymer resists moisture penetration, weathering and UV radiation, so construction professionals use it to prevent structural damage.
From sealants to foams, silicone has diverse applications when constructing homes and office buildings. Engineers also take advantage of silicone for larger projects like oil rigs and bridges.
Incorporating Silicone Into Modern Engineering Practices
Silicone fulfills manufacturers’ demand for flexible and durable materials that withstand challenging conditions. The siloxane-powered polymer works well as a sealant, adhesive and lubricant in numerous industries.
From health care to automotive, engineering professionals can advance their projects because of silicone. Future applications should see increased sustainability through bio-based silicones and eco-friendly products.
Known for his expertise in industry dynamics, Jack Shaw serves as the editor of Modded. Through his insightful analysis and practical advice, Jack seeks to empower readers with the knowledge to thrive in the ever-evolving mechanical landscape, guiding them toward success in their professional endeavors.