Silicone liquid is a material that can be used to make a wide range of products. It has many desirable characteristics such as flexibility, stability, translucency, non-conductive electricity and fast curing. These properties make it a preferred choice for manufacturers of different types of goods and services including the makers of iPhone cases.
Liquid silicone is a thermosetting polymer with a flexible molecular structure that can be molded into various shapes and sizes. The silicone’s molecular chains are long and have a cross-linking system that allows it to stretch and move easily, while also holding its shape. These features make silicone a great option for making items with an intricate design or that need to be able to hold its shape under pressure.
When silicone is cured, it becomes a hard, durable product that can resist heat, weather, and chemicals. It is also a very good insulator, capable of absorbing vibration and sound. It can withstand high-voltage electrical currents, though it can break down over time if exposed to moisture and air.
The chemical resistance of liquid silicone is a major benefit for businesses that use it. The material is unaffected by most acids and alkalis, but it can degrade when mixed with 10% aqueous nitric acid or other strong oxidizing agents. It is also resistant to most oils, solvents and most water-based chemicals, but it will gel when exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbons like turpentine or mineral spirits.
In addition to its physical and chemical resistance, liquid silicone is non-toxic and completely safe for use around the home and in the workplace. It is also resistant to radiation, making it suitable for medical and military applications. The transparency of the material makes it easy to see where it is being applied, so the user knows they are applying it properly and getting the best results.
This chemical resistance of silicone liquid also makes it ideal for using in kitchen products like baking pans and cupcake liners, as well as other cooking tools like rubber spatulas. It is also the material of choice for items requiring high levels of durability, like baby bottle nipples and scuba mouthpieces. This resistance to oil, solvents and acids makes silicone a great material for protecting your phone from damage.
Unlike traditional elastomers, which are made from petroleum-based compounds, liquid silicone is created from the same raw materials as sand. This means that it is more environmentally friendly and safer for people to work with than other types of industrial plastics.
The other main feature that makes this material attractive to many manufacturers is its ability to maintain its mechanical properties under a range of temperatures. This property makes it ideal for items that need to withstand heat, sunlight, and even UV exposure.
Most liquid silicone is created from a two-part raw material that needs to be mixed just before it is used. The liquid is then injected into a mold to create an end product that has consistent chemical and physical properties. This is known as room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone. RTV silicones are available in one-component formulations, such as RTV-1, or two-part formulas, such as RTV-2. RTV-2 is cured with platinum instead of a chemical cross-linking system, and does not produce byproducts when it cures.