From household appliances to pharmaceuticals, silicone rubber is a durable elastomer that can last a lifetime. But is it safe to use in the long run? This blog will explore the toxicity levels of silicone and why it’s super safe to use in many products.
Silicone rubber is a material that is extremely environmentally friendly. It is more sustainable and less toxic than plastic, so it’s the substance of choice for manufacturers and builders.
In fact, cured silicone rubber is classified as chemically stable, with experts confirming the material is safe and likely not toxic.
But what about silicone rubber over time? Does it eventually become toxic? Luckily, silicone rubber resists normal oxidative deterioration. Studies have shown that silicone can retain its powerful properties and thrive for many decades, regardless of challenges like extreme weather conditions and chemical exposure.
When it comes in contact with food, water, heat, cleaning products or certain chemicals, silicone rubber will not react or produce any toxic fumes.
Currently, there are no recorded health hazards linked to silicone rubber. This makes silicone a necessity for industries like health care, early years, food and construction, which need non-toxic materials to meet specific standards.
The shelf-life of silicone rubber is a long one. In fact, it is one of the most durable materials on the market.
Silicone rubber has a unique molecular structure, rendering it resistant to most compounds. It can also withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Naturally chemical resistant, this versatile elastomer can outlast most plastics and latex-based products.
Sustainability is another reason to choose silence rubber over anything else. This is because it’s abrasion resistant, making it an enduring, planet-friendly material that doesn’t need replacing regularly.
Numerous companies and corporations require toxic-free rubber materials for products. Industries like medicine, pharmaceutical, toys, food and drink have strict regulations to meet before being brought to market. Using silicone extrusions is an easy way for them to meet tight health and safety quotas while manufacturing high-quality products to be used for years to come.
Cured silicone extrusions are a must for medical and pharmaceutical equipment. Medical-grade materials must be hygienic, chemical-resistant, waterproof, biocompatible and easily manufactured. That’s why silicone rubber is widespread in the medical industry, used for products like prosthetics, orthotics, dental equipment, diagnostics and drug dispensing.
The automotive sector needs extruded silicone for sealing and protection. In addition, vehicles have had a power boost over the years, creating higher heat and chemical production. The only material to withstand these conditions is silicone rubber, which delivers strength, durability and resistance like no other. Completely synthetic and inert, silicone rubber won’t react to any of these elements and will maintain its properties for long periods.
In recent years, parents are opting for silicone-based toys over plastic. Thanks to its toxic-free and stable properties, it resists reactions to water, weather and human touch. This is extremely important regarding children’s products like pacifiers, bottle tops and toys, which are placed into infants’ mouths, ensuring they are kept safe from harmful chemicals.
The food industry is highly regulated. The good news? The FDA has approved silicone rubber as entirely safe to use. Food is 100% safe for consumption thanks to non-porous, toxic-free, hygienic, odourless, durable and stable silicone. Food and drink silicone applications include food transfer tubing, Tupperware, utensils, cake moulds, packaging, and meat and dairy processing. Home appliances must also meet strict regulations due to chemical and fire hazards. Silicone extrusions are popular with home electronics due to their extreme heat resistance properties.
Many industries like aerospace and construction utilise silicone rubber to limit damage-causing vibrations, noise and shock.
High-rise buildings and high-powered machinery, need appropriate protection from intense wind pressure, supersonic sound and movement shock. If there isn’t an effective absorption material present, mechanical systems can fail, and construction work will have a much shorter lifespan, losing significant value.
One way to prevent cracks and machine failure is to apply silicone rubber gaskets. This highly versatile material is flexible, solid and temperature-resistant, withstanding extreme weather conditions.
So, why is silicone rubber ideal for shock and vibration absorption?
Due to their dynamic properties, silicone strips for vibration isolation are the material of choice for buildings, planes, cars and industrial machinery. They can be used simultaneously to create tight seals and dampen vibration.
Silicone rubber and regular rubber are both elastomers. Adding silicone to rubber diversifies and intensifies its natural properties, rendering it practical for various applications and industries. While rubber is a natural element found in latex-producing plants, Silicone is a synthetic polymer containing silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen.
Rubber is a natural substance offering adequate resilience against the elements. Derived from the cells of rubber-producing plants called Hevea Brasiliensis, rubber is mainly used today for car tyres, shoes and toys.
Silicone rubber is a highly stable material that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, including heat up to 300 Celcius and cold down to -50 Celsius. These factors explain why silicone rubber is typically used to reduce global noise and shock absorption.
Natural rubber possesses some excellent properties. Its high-strength capabilities offer durability and flexibility. However, silicone rubber has been manufactured to boost natural rubber’s properties, giving superior performance.
Silicone rubber gaskets and seals offer:-
Noise pollution can have an adverse effect on one’s health, causing anxiety, stress and hearing loss. That’s why it’s important to seal buildings and planes with sound-absorbing silicone rubber strips, to reduce vibrations and sounds.
An airborne aircraft has a noise decimal of up to 140. So it’s essential to furnish plane interiors with silicone, to dramatically reduce loud noises from its powerful engines. Silicone strips can be moulded into various shapes and sizes to fit into air ducts, windows, overhead storage and doors to combat excessive noise and vibrations mid-flight.
To learn more about silicone rubber gaskets, visit our dedicated page here.
Waterproof materials are the most important thing to consider when building houses or aeroplanes. It’s also essential to manufacture apparel and home appliances using a highly water-resistant material. The good news? Silicone rubber is one of the world’s most waterproof materials in different industries.
So what exactly is silicone rubber? Made from Silicon, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, this synthetic rubber has abundant properties that have made manufacturing much easier for many businesses. Whether it’s pharmaceutical, construction, aerospace or automotive industry, you can bet silicon rubber is being utilised daily.
Highly stable and generally non-reactive, silicone rubber seals, strips and gaskets can withstand extreme environments and temperatures. While natural rubber can tolerate heat up to 85 degrees Celcius, silicone rubber can take continuous heat up to 200 degrees Celcius.
With a blend of organic and inorganic properties, silicone extrusions offer a unique and reliable resistance to water, fire and heavy chemicals.
With silicone rubber’s stability and strength, it’s no wonder most builders use it during construction. Whether providing solutions to prevent vibrations and sound or to protect properties from heat, cold and water, this flexible elastomer can do it all.
So what exactly is water-resistant silicone rubber used for in construction?
Many products for sale require the super strong water-resistant properties of silicone rubber. Let’s explore some of the most popular silicone-based objects:
Shoes
Over the years, shoe designers and companies have added silicone rubber to soles instead of leather to prolong shoe life and keep feet dry and protected at all times. Silicone rubber is also fatigue resistant, meaning it can withstand repeated use’s wear and tear without compromising quality. In addition, apparel industries love silicone rubber due to its hypoallergenic and odourless qualities.
Cooking Equipment
Utensils, cookware and moulds would be useless if they were weak. Luckily, most food industries use silicone rubber in cooking equipment to protect against deterioration from liquids and extreme heat. Food-grade silicone rubber is also one of the most hygienic materials to use thanks to its non-porous properties, making them easy to clean and remove bacteria.
Medical Supplies
Water-resistant, hygienic and durable materials are crucial in the medical industry. Whether hearing aids, tubing, packaging, chemo cooling caps, surgical trays or face masks, silicone rubber offers a practical solution for most apparatuses.
Toys
Silicone rubber-based toys are a safer alternative to traditional plastic. This polymer is super flexible and can mould into any shape and colour. Plus, it’s highly durable and waterproof, making them perfect for bath toys.
Latex is also known as natural rubber. While rubber is produced naturally from the sap of rubber plants, silicone also contains natural latex blended with synthetic additions to enhance its properties.
There are a few similarities between latex and silicone rubber, including low-temperature tolerance. However, there are significant differences, such as: