Here at Flex Technologies, we manufacture silicone hoses and tubes for a wide range of industries. Why silicone, do you ask? Because silicone is an extremely versatile material that stands up to a huge array of industrial stresses. Whether you need a product that does not conduct electricity, withstands chemical corrosion, doesn't degrade in the presence of ozone or ultraviolet light, is flexible yet durable, or any number of other beneficial features, silicone can accommodate. Here, we would like to go over some of the industrial uses of silicone materials.

Aerospace/Aviation

In the aviation and aerospace industries, silicone materials are generally used as adhesives or sealants. This is due to its ability to withstand both very intense stress (it is flexible, yet durable), as well as function even in extreme temperatures (silicone is often tempered to increase temperature resistance). On an airplane or spacecraft, you will likely find silicone on doors, wings, windows, fuel tanks, wing edges, hydraulic switches, engine gaskets, electrical wires, black boxes, and vent ducts.

Construction

In construction, you are likely to find silicone mostly in sealants, coatings, and adhesives. In an adhesive, silicone helps bond different materials, like concrete and glass, or concrete and granite. If you have ever seen a dramatic glass facade, that marvel of architecture and engineering is due to silicone's ability to bond different materials. As a sealant, silicone's flexibility allows it to absorb stress, like buildings frequently experience from things like wind, shifting soil, or earthquakes. The resistance to degradation from ultraviolet light, ozone, and other chemicals is a huge boon to the construction industry as well.

Healthcare

Silicone is an amazing material for healthcare. First, it is extremely resistant to bacteria, making it very easy to sterilize. It also doesn't react with other materials, or the human body to cause irritation. It can interact with the human body externally, internally, and intravenously without creating unwanted byproducts or an allergic reaction. Other medical benefits of silicone are its ability to to soften topical medicines, form a seal to protect wounds, enhance lubricants, and approximate the consistency of skin for prosthetics.

Electronics

As far a necessity for an industry, probably no industry relies on silicone more than the electronics industry. Whether you are talking about computers, telecommunications, electrical power distribution, macro or micro electronics, they all require silicone. That's because, as anyone who has ever been shocked before knows, electricity is dangerous and volatile. Silicone helps prevent components in electronics from heat, moisture, corrosion, contamination, movement, etc. And, of course, it doesn't conduct an electrical current, allowing electronic parts to work independently without frying each other. Keyboards, copier rollers, keypads, hardcoating computer housings, fascimile machines, telephones, even your home entertainment system, all rely on silicone.

Paper and Film

One of silicone's lesser known benefits is foam control. In the paper and film industries, where manufacturing materials on a wholesale level can be impossible due to foam creation, silicone is the perfect solution. Additionally, it is often used as an adhesive in the paper industry (as well as tape), as its resistance to extreme temperatures allows for adhesion where other materials would fail.

We haven't even scratched the surface yet of all of silicone's many industrial uses. Stay tuned for our next part in the series, where we'll go over silicone's role in household products, paintings and coatings, restoration, and personal care products. If you are in the HVAC, automotive, aerospace, medical, agriculture, or any other industry that relies on silicone hoses or tubes, we are the people to call. Reach out today, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.