4 Types of Silicone and Their Differences

High-consistency silicone rubber is also called &#;solid silicone&#; or &#;gum stock.&#; It is made up of high molecular weight polysiloxane chains. HCR can contain a variety of fillers to enhance special properties, such as hardness and heat resistance. HCR can be cured using either peroxide curing systems or platinum catalyst formulations. The latter creates no chemical byproducts during curing. The material is sold in bulk forms such as: bars, tubes, and cylinders for further processing. HCR is an outstanding material for long-term implantable medical devices, automotive engine components, and many consumer household products.

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Which Types of Silicone are Classified as Elastomers?

All types of silicone products are elastomers. An elastomer is a rubbery polymer (like silicone) that is viscoelastic (has both viscous and elastic properties). When an elastomeric material like silicone is stressed and then released, its deformation will have both a normal, quick response to the release of the stress (elastic) and a slower, time-dependent recovery response (viscous).

To learn more, see our guide on Silicone Material.

What Are the Other Forms of Silicone?

Silicone can take many forms:

• Emulsion: Silicone emulsions consist of silicone molecules suspended in a stabilized water solution. Applications include: lubricants, release agents, and cleaning and polishing compounds to enhance spread and durability.
• Oil: Silicone oils are simple, linear polysiloxane chains that can slip past each other, providing a lubricating action. They may be used as hydraulic fluids and lubricating oils, and as raw materials for further processing. 
• Liquid: Liquid silicone rubber is fluid enough to be used for precision injection molding. It is usually a two-part formulation that is mixed just before entering the mold. Applications for liquid silicone rubber include: gaskets, potting for electronics, formed parts, and medical devices.
• Caulk: Caulk is a viscous, room-temperature vulcanizing form of silicone. It has superior workability, adhesion, and durability.
• Resin: Silicone resins are usually thermosetting products with branching molecules that form densely cross-linked structures. They are used in adhesives, protective and water-repellent coatings, and heat-resistant paints.
• Grease: Silicone grease is made by adding fillers to silicone oil. The resulting thermally stable product lubricates the desired surfaces. It also conducts heat and protects against moisture and other chemicals. Mold release, glass joint seals, and electrical contact protection are some of the applications for silicone grease.
• Gel: Silicone gel is made from a two-part, platinum-catalyzed liquid formulation. It may contain additional oils or softeners to reach the right consistency for forming into thin sheets or packets. This form of silicone has been used in the medical field for scar reduction.
• Foam: Silicone foam is created by adding outgassing agents to liquid silicone. These agents are controlled to allow the manufacture of both open and closed-cell foams of varying densities. The foam may have a smooth skin &#; as for use in gaskets and spacers, or a rough surface, as may be acceptable in gap-fillers, pipe insulation, and other applications. 
• Solid: Solid silicone rubber usually refers to a type of silicone that has long polymer chains and high molecular weight. It is also called &#;high-consistency rubber&#; (HCR). When cured, it is relatively dense and hard. It can be formed into final products such as tubing, engine mounts, seals, and gaskets.

For more information, see our guide on the properties of silicone.

How is Silicone Classified?

All forms of silicone can be classified as non-organic elastomeric polymers. As a group, they are flexible, non-chemically reactive, resist degradation by ultraviolet radiation, maintain their mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures, and are considered non-toxic when used appropriately. 

Silicones can be adapted into many different forms, and for thousands of end uses. They can be liquids, pastes, gels, foams, or solids. Silicones can be chemically tailored for extra strength, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, or chemical resistance.

Is Silicone a Type of Rubber?

Silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) is a type of rubber. It is a polymer built on a backbone of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. This polymer displays the highly elastic properties required of a rubber. Silicone rubber is a useful, if more recent, addition to the rubber family. It offers better performance at temperature extremes than natural rubber and can be tailored for a broader range of physical and mechanical properties.

Is Liquid Rubber the Same as Silicone?

A liquid rubber sealant can be silicone-based, but it may also be based on other suitable materials, such as polyurethane. &#;Liquid Rubber&#; usually refers to thin sealants that can be applied to large areas such as driveways, roofs, and underground cement walls. The term &#;Liquid Silicone Rubber&#; (LSR) always means silicone. LSR is the raw material used for injection molding, joining/bonding surfaces, and sealing applications.

Contact a Xometry representative for help in deciding on the right composition and manufacturing techniques to produce high-quality silicone components or check our quoting tool. 

Liquid silicone and solid silicone are two different silicone base materials with different chemical and physical properties. Silicone materials are widely used in industry and daily life. Liquid silicone and solid silicone are two common forms. They have some important differences in properties, uses and processing techniques. This article will focus on the comparison between liquid silicone and solid silicone, and explore the differences between them in depth.

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   First of all, there are obvious differences in the shape of liquid silicone and solid silicone. Silicone liquid is a solid polymer material that looks like a colloidal liquid, and is viscous and fluid. The solid silica gel is the silica gel after curing treatment, which has a solid shape and hardness. The different applications of liquid silicone and solid silicone depend on their two forms.

   There are also some significant differences in properties between liquid and solid silicone material. Liquid silicone has excellent fluidity, and products of various shapes and sizes can be produced by injection molding, coating and other processes. It also has high elasticity and temperature resistance, and can be used normally in the temperature range of -60°C to 250°C. In addition, liquid silicone also has excellent crack resistance and abrasion resistance. In contrast, solid silica gels are relatively deficient in these properties. Due to its solid form, solid silicone has a relatively narrow range of applications and is usually used in specific fields such as filling and sealing.

   Liquid silicone and solid silicone are also different in use. Liquid silicone is widely used in electronics, medical, aerospace and other fields. Liquid silicone is widely used in the manufacture of sealing rings, electronic product casings, and touch screens due to its good fluidity and plasticity. Solid silicone is mainly used in the field of filling and sealing, such as in the construction and automotive industries, solid silicone can be used for filling joints, waterproofing and sound insulation.

There are also big differences in processing technology between liquid silica gel and solid silica gel. Liquid silicone is easier to operate in injection molding, coating and other processes, so it has higher efficiency in production. In contrast, liquid silica gel is easier to prepare and apply. It can be injected directly into a mold and then go through a curing process to obtain the desired shape. Compared with solid silica gel, the processing flow of liquid silica gel is simpler and the technical requirements are relatively low. This means that the production cost of solid silica gel is relatively expensive

   There are some important differences between silica gel and solid silica gel in terms of shape, properties, uses and processing techniques. Liquid silicone has excellent fluidity and plasticity, and is suitable for manufacturing various products. Solid silica gel is mainly used in fields such as filling and sealing, and has the characteristics of high hardness and high temperature resistance. For enterprises and consumers, mastering the differences between liquid silicone and solid silicone will help them better choose materials that suit their needs.

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