Difference between silicone and silicon

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What is silicone?

Simply put, Polysiloxane, (the proper name for Silicones), are

stable synthetic compounds (polymers), with lubricating properties

that mimic organic, carbon based compounds, such as petroleum,

animal fats and vegetable oil.

Silicone is a term much like " plastic " - it covers a rather wide

range of materials and properties. The chemistry of a particular

polymer determines its characteristics, from hard and brittle

varnishes, to soft and flexible rubbers. The initial work on

polysiloxane chemistry dates back almost 60 years and it continues

today.

Silicones are used for a lot of things. They can be elastomers and

lubricating oils. The caulking in your bathroom is probably made of

a silicone. Among other things, silicones are also used to make the

heat resistant tiles on the bottom of the space shuttle, breast and

other implants, and hair conditioners that don't cause buildup.

Dictionary.com defines Silicone as:

" 1) Any of a group of semi-inorganic polymers based on the

structural unit R2SiO, where R is an organic group, characterized by

wide-range thermal stability, high lubricity, extreme water

repellence, and physiological inertness and used in adhesives,

lubricants, protective coatings, paints, electrical insulation,

synthetic rubber, and prosthetic replacements for body parts. "

" 2) Any of a large class of siloxanes that are unusually stable

over a wide range of temperatures; used in lubricants and adhesives

and coatings and synthetic rubber and electrical insulation [syn:

silicone polymer] "

Silicone is different from Silicon and Silica, though it contains a

relatively high proportion of silicon. Silicon, which is found in

rocks and sand, is the second most common element in the crust of

our earth. It is not found in its elemental form, but occurs mainly

as oxides and silicates. Silica is a three dimensional network of

silicon dioxide, most commonly encountered as sand. Silica exists in

crystalline and amorphous forms, is chemically resistant at ordinary

temperatures, and can undergo a variety of transformations at high

temperatures (greater than 500ºC, 950ºF) and pressures.

The basic difference between silicone polymers and " organic "

polymers is in the molecular make-up. Silicone or Dimethyl

Polysiloxane, is made up of silicone/oxygen linkages, the same found

in high temperature materials such as quartz, glass, and sand.

Natural rubber, or organic polymers, are made up of carbon/carbon

linkages.

Through altering the chemical make-up of the silicones by adding

phenyls, vinyls, and flourines, significant variations in physical

properties can be achieved. Thus, molds from different manufacturers

can vary in their quality and subsequent results.

Silicone is generally attacked by most concentrated solvents, oils,

concentrated acids and diluted sodium hydroxide. It is a material of

high chemical inertness, resistant to environmental impact (oxygen,

ozone, water and light) and various liquid detergents, usable both

in high (260°C, 525°F) and low (-70°C, -185°F) temperature.

Silicone is regulated for use with food under US Food & Drug

Administration Title 21 Part 177 Section 2600 (Cite: 21CFR177.2600).