In today’s world, environmental issues and product safety are highly concerned. Silicone rubber materials and products have become a widely popular and reliable choice. It’s a versatile material with many advantages and is an excellent alternative to traditional materials such as glass, plastic, and metal. This article will deeply explore the characteristics of silicone rubber, its environmental friendliness, safety, long service life, and compare it with other materials. At the same time, it will also explain the reasons why we have chosen it as our main business focus and its numerous advantages.
a. What is Silicone?
Silicone is a synthetic polymer composed of silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. It possesses a unique molecular structure that endows it with a diverse range of properties, such as flexibility, heat resistance, cold resistance, water resistance, and chemical resistance. It can be found in various forms, including gels, liquids, and solids. People utilize it in a wide array of applications, including electronics, healthcare, automotive, and household products.
The general classification and application of silicone
| Silicone type | Performance characteristics | Advantages | Disadvantages | Application fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid silicone | High hardness and strength; ordinary solid silicone has relatively low cost | Stable physical properties, easy to process. | Relatively less flexible compared to liquid silicone. | Electrical and electronic sealing, mechanical molds, etc. |
| Liquid silicone | Good fluidity and high precision; addition-cured type has good environmental protection | High precision molding, good adaptability to complex shapes. | Cost may be relatively higher. | Precision casting, medical supplies, etc. |
| Ordinary silicone | General physical and chemical properties, heat resistance, cold resistance, electrical insulation | Widely available, cost-effective. | Performance in some special environments may not be outstanding. | Conventional industrial and civil fields |
| High-temperature resistant silicone | Can be used in high-temperature environments for a long time, reaching 250°C or even higher | Excellent high-temperature resistance. | Higher cost compared to ordinary silicone. | Aerospace, automotive engines, etc. |
| Conductive silicone | Good electrical conductivity | Effective in electromagnetic shielding and anti-static. | Limited application scenarios compared to general silicone. | Electronic shielding, anti-static fields, etc. |
| Fire-resistant silicone | Has flame retardant properties | Enhances safety in fire-prone environments. | May have some impact on other properties. | Electrical equipment, wires and cables, etc. |
b. Environmental Friendliness of Silicone
One of the main advantages of silicone is its environmental friendliness, and I believe that most people initially choose it because of attracting by this advantage. Silicone mainly manifests its environmental friendliness in:
1. People can recycle and reuse this sustainable material. Unlike plastics, which take hundreds of years to decompose, they can break it down into its constituent elements and use it in new products.
2. It is also free of harmful chemicals such as Bisphenol A, phthalates and lead.
3. They are often more energy efficient than their counterparts made from other materials. For example, silicone cookware can distribute heat more evenly, reducing the amount of energy needed to cook food. Silicone insulation can also help reduce energy consumption by keeping buildings warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
4. More unusually, the manufacturing process of silicone products does not produce large amounts of gases that are harmful to the environment or to humans.
c. Safety of Silicone Materials
Safety is always the first consideration, and as stated above, it is a non-toxic material that is FDA approved for food contact applications. They contain no harmful chemicals and will not leach toxins into food or beverages. This makes it a safe choice for kitchen utensils, baby products and medical devices.
In addition, it’s hypoallergenic, which makes it a great choice for people with sensitive skin. They are also resistant to bacteria and mold, making them easy to clean and maintain. This is especially important for products that come into contact with food or are used in healthcare settings.
d. Long Lifespan of Silicone Products
They are extremely durable and can withstand extreme temperatures, chemicals and physical stress. Even ordinary silica products can resist temperatures from -40° to 230°. It’s a reliable choice for products that need to resist aging and deformation over time.
For example, silicone cookware can last for years without showing signs of wear and tear. Silicone seals and gaskets can also withstand high pressures and temperatures, making them ideal for use in automotive and industrial applications. Silicone medical devices are also known for their durability and reliability, making them a preferred choice for long-term implants and prosthetics.
e. Comparison with Other Materials
When compared to other materials such as glass, plastic, and metal, it has several advantages. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up against these materials:
Glass
Glass is a popular material for many products, but it has several limitations.
1. Glass is fragile and poses a safety hazard.
2. Glass is also heavy and difficult to handle and transport.
3. Glass is not as flexible as silica and cannot be molded into complex shapes
Plastic
1. Plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
2. Plastics can also release harmful chemicals into the environment.
3. Plastics are extremely resistant to degradation and can take hundreds of years to break down.
4. Plastic products are usually not as durable as silicon products and are prone to breakage and deterioration.
Metal
1. Metal is a non-renewable material
2. Metal products may rust and corrode over time, making them less reliable.
3. Metal products are usually not as flexible as silica products and cannot be molded into complex shapes.
f. Why Choose Silicone Products as Our Business Focus
Our company has always been upholding the concept of green and sustainable development
In this era of growing environmental awareness, we at MikonSupply are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality, most environmentally friendly products.
It does not release any hazardous substances, either during the manufacturing process or when it is discarded after use. This means that by choosing our silica products, you are making a green contribution to you and your family, as well as to our common home planet.
1. We strictly follow environmental protection standards in the production process of our silica gel products. Our factory equips itself with perfect environmental protection facilities to ensure that every step meets environmental protection requirements. Our raw materials comply with international standards and do not contain BPA.
2. The lifespan of our silica products exceeds other traditional materials. This not only reduces the waste of resources, but also reduces the generation of waste. Plastic products will worry about aging and become brittle, metal products will rust, only silicone even if placed in the warehouse for 2~3 years, still elegant as before, does not affect the sale!
3. When silica products reach the end of their service life, we can recycle it to reduce the impact on the environment.
4. Silica products offer a wide range of design possibilities. We can use it for a variety of shapes and colors, making it an excellent choice for creative and innovative products. Moreover, we can also customize it to meet specific customer needs, giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace. Many people make DIY molds using silica gel. MikonSupply can provide excellent customized service, from thoughts to real products, we can help clients to control it well
As people realize the benefits of silicone products, they expect the demand for it to continue to grow. By focusing on it, we have positioned ourselves to capitalize on this growing market and provide our customers with high quality, sustainable products that meet their needs.
