Advantages of Adhesive Silicone
Many industrial workers and do-it-yourselfers use adhesive silicone to bind different surfaces together. This is a strong sealant that is resistant to heat, weathering, moisture and more.
While many silicone adhesives release a corrosive chemical, special formulations are non-corrosive and can be used with electronics. Some can even be formulated to be electrically conductive.
Durability
Silicone adhesives are designed to withstand moisture and temperature changes, making them suitable for use in extreme environments. They also have good resistance to ozone, vibrations, and weathering. This durability is an advantage in applications where the bond needs to last long after a product has been placed into service.
The silicone used in the production of these adhesives is derived from natural elements. It is safe for use in the food industry and adheres to a adhesive silicone wide range of materials, including plastics, rubbers, and metals. This makes it a great choice for medical products, such as bandages that create a strong seal and protect against infection but can be removed easily.
Several other features make silicone adhesives an excellent choice for many projects. They are easy to apply and are available in a variety of viscosities. Some are even self-leveling to provide a smooth, consistent finish. Moreover, some silicones are resistant to chemicals and do not release vapors or harmful substances.
It is important to ensure that all surfaces are clean and dry before using the adhesive. This can be done by using a solvent wipe such as isopropanol or acetone. This helps to remove processing lubricants and provides a clean and uniform surface for bonding.
Biocompatibility
When using adhesive silicones in medical applications, inertness and biocompatibility are key. Silicones are non-toxic and will not react with body fluids, making them a great choice for use around living tissue or in microfluidic applications. They also do not degrade when exposed to high temperatures or harsh sterilization methods. Specialized silicone adhesives provide the versatility required to meet medical product assembly challenges while complying with stringent biocompatibility requirements.
The primary ingredient in silicones is silica, a naturally occurring compound found in sand and stone. Silica makes up one fourth of the earth’s crust and comes in a wide variety of forms such as quartz, tridymite, cristobalite, celestite, keatite, and lechatelierite. Its ability to withstand temperatures, water, weathering, and vibrations make it an excellent choice for bonding metal, glass, ceramic, and plastic substrates.
Adhesive silicones come in a variety of viscosities to meet different application needs. Low-viscosity silicones are ideal for coating substrates and providing a smooth surface while high-viscosity formulations provide higher strength for bonding materials that will be subjected to intense strain.
The curing mechanism of a silicone adhesive is another important factor to consider when choosing the right product for your application. Moisture curing silicones require contact with moisture in the air to initiate the cross-linking reaction and cure. These types of adhesives are suitable for use with many substrates such as dry clean glass, most non-greasy metals, vulcanized silicone rubber, and painted plastic surfaces.
Safety
Adhesive silicone does not contain any corrosive chemicals, making it safe to use on materials that are frequently exposed to moisture or the sun. Additionally, it is able to withstand high temperatures without losing its elasticity or bonding strength, which makes it suitable for many different applications.
Silicone adhesives can be used to bond dry clean metal, glass, most non-greasy wood, ceramics, vulcanized silicone rubber, and painted surfaces. They can also be used to seal or protect materials from water, dust, and other contaminants. These types of adhesives do not require any special tools, and they are usually easy to apply and remove.
Depending on the application, silicone adhesives can be either one or two part systems. The ones that are one component cure by absorbing moisture in the air or through UV or EB radiation, while the others need a curing agent to be added and mixed to the glue before applying.
The most common route of exposure for these types of adhesives is dermal, although inhalation and ingestion can occur as well. It is important to make sure that the proper equipment adhesive silicone is used during application to reduce these risks, and workers should be adequately trained in handling these products. This can reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals that are introduced into the environment, and it will help to ensure that these substances do not enter the food chain or water supply.
Sustainability
Unlike most glues that use a chemical reaction to adhere surfaces, silicone adhesives use surface energy to bond with substrates. This means that it can stick to a variety of surfaces including those that other types of adhesives would have trouble adhering to. Surface energy can be measured and some materials have low values that make them difficult for other adhesives to adhere to.
This makes silicone adhesives a great choice for a variety of industrial applications that require materials to withstand harsh conditions. For example, silicones resist weathering and moisture, making them suitable for sealing joints and seams that are exposed to the elements. They also have good electrical properties that can be further enhanced with special formulations to become insulating or conductive.
Other industries that use silicone adhesives include automotive, medical, aerospace, and construction. For example, dental professionals glue prosthetic appliances to the mouth using a flexible and long-lasting silicone adhesive. Since the material is non-chemical reactive, it is safe to use around sensitive areas of the body.
The sustainability of silicone adhesives is further enhanced by the fact that they are not derived from fossil fuels. Unlike acrylic adhesives that are derived from byproducts of the oil industry, silicone adhesives are made from natural ingredients like sand and air. They also emit significantly less volatile organic compounds (VOC) than their acrylic counterparts.