What Is the Distinction Between Silicone and Silicon?

Both compounds are extensively used, include silicon, and are nearly identical in spelling; however, there are substantial distinctions between them.

To cut a long tale short, silicon is an element, and silicones are polymers that contain silicon, oxygen, and, in some cases, carbon and hydrogen.

Silicon, the 14th element in the Periodic Table, is the seventh most abundant element in the universe and the second most frequent element on Earth (the most common element being oxygen). However, because this crystalline metaloid has a high affinity for oxygen, it is virtually invariably found as silicon dioxide (also known as silica and quartz). Silica is present in a variety of minerals such as flint, jasper, opal, and sandstone (and sand). It is also used to make glass, concrete, and brick.

Raw silicon is a crystalline solid that is hard and brittle with a silvery-grey-bluish sheen. It acts as the foundation for millions of semiconductors after it has been cleaned and purified.

Feldspar, granite, and mica are silicates, which are a combination of silicon, oxygen, and reactive metals. Ceramics, enamels, Portland cement, mortar, stucco, and pottery all employ them.

Relatively pure silicon is most typically utilized in steel refining, aluminum casting, and the chemical sector. However, silicon is best known for being the foundation of many semiconductors, despite the fact that less than 10% of pure silicon is used for this purpose.

Polydimethylsiloxane, an inorganic polymer containing silicon and oxygen, is the main component of silicone.

Silicones, also known as polysiloxanes, are a type of man-made polymer that is often liquid or a flexible, rubber-like plastic. The polymers have an inorganic chain of silicon and oxygen atoms connected by organic side groups. They offer various valuable qualities that enable them to serve as the foundation for a wide range of consumer and commercial goods like silicone rubber and so on.

Electrical conductivity is low.

Water repellency and the capacity to produce watertight seals

They do not adhere to most substrates, but they do adhere to glass.

Despite temperature fluctuations, physical attributes remain constant.

They are resistant to oxygen, ozone, and UV radiation.

Sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical items, both cosmetic and orthopedic implants, cooking utensils, tools, thermal and electrical insulation, coatings for paper, fabrics, and gaskets, potting for electronics, and even as a dry-cleaning solvent, are all made from silicone.

Silicone has a number of beneficial qualities that allow it to be employed in waterproof adhesives and nonstick cooking utensils.

You can keep the two straight with a bass-ackward mnemonic: silicone, the polymer, has an e in it, which stands for element (which it isn't). The one without the e, on the other hand, is an element.