If you're not exactly sure what silicone is, you can be forgiven; chances are you aren't alone. Here at Flex Technologies, silicone is integral to just about everything we do. Because of that, we've learned just about everything there is to know about it (being silicone hose suppliers, and all). Since we've had so much experience with this wonderful chemical, we've decided to pass some of our knowledge on to you. So get ready, because here's a crash course on its chemical makeup and uses:

Silicone Chemical Makeup:

• Silicone, more aptly referred to as polymerized siloxane, is made up of a chain of silicone and oxygen molecules, sometimes with other organic chemicals attached as "side groups". The chemical makeup of silicone is what gives it its amazing properties!
• When silicone undergoes combustion in the presence of oxygen, it either forms a char, powder, or various gases called "solid silica".
• Silicone has a long list of useful properties, that include but are not limited to low toxicity levels, low thermal conductivity (doesn't move heat), water repellent, electrical insulation, oxygen, ozone and UV light resistance, low chemical reactivity, and resistance to microbiological growth.

Silicone Uses:

Silicone is used across many different industries for many different reasons. Most of these uses are well outside our industry, but the properties that make silicone useful stay pretty consistent.

Automotive Use:

A silicone grease is used as a lubricant for brakes in many instances; it maintains its properties at high temperatures and isn't water soluble. In addition, combinations of silicone and thermoplastics are often used as coatings in airbags due to their high strength.

Cookware Use:

Because of its low toxicity, silicone has made it into the cookware industry. Many bake ware and kitchen utensils have silicone in them, as silicone bake ware doesn't require a cooking oil coating. Its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures also makes it useful in oven mitts.

Medicinal Use:

Silicone has high bio-compatibility, which is a fancy way of saying that it doesn't hurt the human body. Because of that, it gets used in everything from micro fluids and contact lenses to breast implants.

Personal Care Use:

Due to that bio-compatibility mentioned above, silicone has found a niche in personal care as well. Certain kinds have properties that make excellent hair conditioners. A rubber is often used in baby bottles. There's even silicone in shaving products.

Plumbing & Construction Uses:

This is where we make our bread and butter as silicone hose suppliers! In the spirit of conciseness, suffice it to say that the bio compatibility, electrical and heat insulation properties, water repellent properties and more all make this substance perfect for plumbing & construction use.

While we here at Flex Technologies can't help you with the automotive, cookware, medicinal, or personal uses of silicon, we have years of experience as a silicon hose supplier. If you'd like any information on pricing, warranty, distribution options or anything else, please don't hesitate to give one of our friendly representatives a call today!