SILICONE
‘He who builds in sand has built in vain’ goes the ancient German proverb. For them, at that time, sand was the epitomy of uselessness, although for thousands of years it has been added to building materials.
Modern chemistry has, however, discovered the value that is inherent in sand and how best to use it; you can build with sand – in the positive sense of the words, and for all our benefit.
Sand is a compound of two elements which are extremely common on our planet – Oxygen and Silicum. Silicum, however, never appears in its pure form but only in compounds - for example. combined with Oxygen in Silicumdioxide, better known as sand.
The silicum contained in sand is the basis of a powerful group of chemical polymers, which have been known about for over a century, but only developed over the last fifty years. Today they contribute extensively to making our life more pleasant. Silicone can be found in almost every area of our every-day life and, in particular in the area of High Technology. These are just two examples from many: Silicone Heart-Valves and Silicone Veins help to save the lives of many. Highly developed speciality Silicones, which are unaffected by extreme temperature variations, ensure a secure and safe environment for the highly sensitive electronic equipment in Rockets and Space Shuttles.
Silicone is a big hit with researchers. This material, with its many applications, makes their lives simple, sometimes even simpler than the model in Nature. Thanks to its outstanding properties Silicone is, in numerous applications, the ‘answer to their prayers’. |
HTV SILICONE ELASTOMER
HTV Silicone Elastomer is a rubber material, vulcanised (i.e. cured) at high temperatures. It is made from a special grade of sand with a high silica content. It is the same basic material that ‘silicone chips’ are made for PCs and other computer applications. In the case of HTV Silicone Elastomer, however, it produces an elastic material with many of the qualities of organic rubber but with a greater resistance to extreme temperatures and greater durability as well as the capability of incorporating certain specific electrical and electromagnetic properties. |
Material Characteristics:
• Mechanical Properties
Hardness range from 5 (Foam) to 80 Shore A
Elongation from 100 to 900%
Tensile strength from 0,25 to 20 MPa
Tear strength from 0,5 to 20 MPa
Specific gravity 0,08 (Foam) to 1,5
• Heat Resistance
Transparent silicone +200°C. Red iron oxide +250°C. continous in air. Special compounds/formulations up to +300°C. for limited periods of time.
• Brittle Point
Standard compounds -60°C. Special compounds/formulations down to -90°C.
• Ageing Characteristics
Excellent resistance to ozone, ultraviolet light, corona and arcing, flex/stress relaxation
• Chemical Resistance
Good resistance to moderate chemicals, fluids and oils, particulary at elevated temperatures.
• Electrical Properties
Excellent insulation, volume and surface resistance. Good dielectric properties, unsurpassed at elevated temperatures.
• Fluid / Steam Resistance
Withstands very hot and cold water and low pressure steam. Low water absorbtion even over long periods.
• Other properties
Does not support fungoidal growth, mould or bacteria. Available electrically and thermally conductive and in a full range of colours.
|
