Silicone facts for kids
Silicones are a special type of man-made material. They are like a mix between plastic and rubber. Silicones are made of long chains of tiny parts called polymers. These chains often include silicon and oxygen atoms, and sometimes carbon or hydrogen too.
Silicones are very useful because they can handle heat well and are often flexible, like rubber. You can find them in many everyday items. They are used in things that seal gaps, stick things together, make things slippery, and even in cooking tools. Silicones also help keep things warm or cool, and they can block electricity. It's important to remember that silicone is different from the chemical element called silicon.
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What Are Silicones Made Of?
Silicones are built from repeating units called siloxane. Think of siloxane as a small building block. Each block has two silicon atoms connected by one oxygen atom. These blocks link together to form long chains.
How Are Silicones Different from Silicon?
The name "silicone" sounds a lot like "silicon", but they are not the same. Silicon is a natural element found in sand and rocks. It's a basic building block of the universe, like oxygen or carbon. Silicones, on the other hand, are man-made materials. They are created using silicon, but they are much more complex.
Where Are Silicones Used?
Silicones are super versatile! Their special properties make them perfect for many different jobs.
In Your Home
You might use silicone every day without even knowing it.
- Cooking and Baking: Many kitchen tools are made from silicone. This includes spatulas, oven mitts, and even flexible baking molds. They can handle high heat and are easy to clean.
- Sealants and Adhesives: Silicone caulk is often used to seal cracks around windows, bathtubs, and sinks. It stops water and air from getting in. Silicone glues can also stick many different materials together.
- Personal Care: Silicones are found in some shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. They can make hair feel smooth and skin feel soft.
In Cars and Planes
Silicones are very important in the automotive and aerospace industries.
- Car Parts: In cars, silicone rubber is used for hoses and seals. It can handle the heat and chemicals found under the hood.
- Aircraft: Airplanes use silicone to seal parts and protect against extreme temperatures and weather. This helps keep planes safe and working well.
In Medicine and Labs
Because silicones are safe and don't react with many things, they are used in healthcare.
- Medical Devices: Some medical tools and implants use silicone.
- Laboratory Use: In science labs, silicone grease is often used to seal glass equipment. This prevents leaks and helps experiments work correctly.
Other Cool Uses
- Lubricants: Silicone oils and greases can make things slide smoothly. They are used in many machines to reduce friction.
- Electronics: Silicones can protect electronic parts from heat, moisture, and dust. They are good insulators, meaning they don't let electricity pass through easily.
- Toys: Some baby toys are made from non-toxic silicone rubber. It's safe for kids to chew on and is easy to clean.
Images for kids
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This silicone rubber folding chessboard resists creasing and wrinkling.
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Silicone caulks and rubber components are increasingly used in automotive applications.
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Silicone is often used to seal maintenance access openings in aerospace equipment.
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Silicone rubber keypad
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Red-colored silicone firestopping
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Silicone grease is often used with laboratory glassware to prevent seizing.
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Silicone mold used to reproduce an architectural detail
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Silicone rubber earplugs for hearing protection
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Baby toys made of nontoxic silicone rubber
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Soup ladle and pasta ladle made of silicone
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A silicone food steamer to be placed inside a pot of boiling water
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Flexible ice cube trays made of silicone allow easy extraction of ice.
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Silicone brush used for basting and applying flavoring liquids
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See also
In Spanish: Silicona para niños
