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Silicones, or "polysiloxanes", are inorganic polymers consisting of a silicon-oxygen backbone (...-Si-O-Si-O-Si-O-...) with side groups attached to the silicon atoms. Certain organic side groups can be used to link two or more of these -Si-O- backbones together. By varying the -Si-O- chain lengths, side groups, and crosslinking, silicones can be synthesized into a wide variety of materials. They can vary in consistency from liquid to gel to rubber. The most common type is linear polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS. The second largest group of silicone materials are based on silicone resins which are formed by branched and cage-like oligosiloxanes.
Silicones are odorless, colorless, water resistant, chemical resistant, oxidation resistant, stable at high temperature, and do not conduct electricity. They have many uses, such as lubricants, adhesives, sealants, gaskets, breast implants, pressure compensating diaphragms for drip irrigation emitters, sex toys, and Silly Putty.
Silicone is often mistaken colloquially for elemental silicon, because of the similarity in pronunciation and spelling, but they are entirely different. For example, in the Shakira song "Objection (Tango)", the lyrics "next to her cheap silicon I look minimal" should be "next to her cheap silicone I look minimal."
External links
- Silicone Polymers (http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/404silicone.html) (Virtual Chembook, Elmhurst College)
- Silicones (http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/silicone.htm) (The Macrogalleria)
- Silicone Polymers (Siloxanes) (http://www.dowcorning.com/content/textiles/texfashion/Tutorial_Silicone_Polymers_Siloxanes.asp) (Silicon Chemistry Tutorial, Dow Corning)
- What is silicone? (http://www.silicone-review.gov.uk/silicone/) (Silicone Gel Breast Implants)
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