Introduction to Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber was developed by the American General Electric company.

The largest producer is now Dow Corning who was originally licensed by General Electric. Other manufacturers of the base polymer include Bayer, ICI, Rhone-Poulenc and Wacker.

The material is available in many formats, including heat-cure rubber (similar in processing to other types of rubber), and RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanising) forms. The latter are not truly vulcanised (that is, with sulphur), but hardened from a viscous liquid state by special catalyst systems.

The outstanding properties of silicone rubber are:

   Extreme heat and cold resistance (-115oC to 260oC);

   High release from sticky materials (Non-stick);

   Easy cleaning;

   Resistance to many common chemicals;

   Mildew and fungus resistance;

   Outstanding electrical insulation;

   FDA clearance for food processing and handling (some grades).

Silicone rubber is best known generally as a one-part RTV sealant (particularly in bathrooms), and as tubing on the bags in which increasing numbers of liquids are packed. Another well-known use is as the two part RTV adhesive for the protective tiles on the space shuttle. Silicones are also used in many other forms, particularly as oils and greases. The adhesive coating on Biscor's high temperature adhesive tapes is a silicone.

Silicone Rubber Coated fabrics

Biscor uses the elastomer as dispersion and in other forms to coat glass cloth. Silicone rubber coated fabrics are not coated to the same generally accepted specifications as PTFE coated materials, and an almost infinite range is possible. Biscor produces fabrics from 0,17mm to ca. 1.00mm thick.