Properties and Performance of Silicone Rubber

Through careful chemistry, siloxane molecules can be chemically crosslinked to give
molecular network structures. Such network structures include: silicone rubbers; silicone gels;
silicone resins and silicone foams. The molecular variables that are important for governing the
mechanical properties of silicone networks include: the molar mass between crosslinks; the molar
mass distribution between crosslinks; the network junction functionality and the number of
elastically effective network chains [1-5]. A variety of additives are typically incorporated for
commercial applications. The main focus of this lecture will be to describe how molecular variables
govern the mechanical properties of silicone rubbers and the resulting performance of silicone
rubbers and silicone gels. Silicone rubbers also find applications as membranes in a variety of
industries. Some aspects of sustainability and risk assessment / risk management of silicone
systems will also be presented.

REFERENCES

1. L. Garrido. J. E. Mark, S. J. Clarson and J. A. Semlyen, Polymer Communications 1984, 25,
218-220.
2. S. J. Clarson, V. Galiatsatos and J. E. Mark, Macromolecules 1990, 23, 1504-1507.
3. A. S. Palsule, S. J. Clarson and C. W. Widenhouse, J. Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and
Materials, 2008, 18, 246-252.
4. Y. Poojari, J. S. Beemat and S. J. Clarson, Polymer Bulletin, 2013, 70, 1543-1552.
5. S. J. Clarson, Silicon, 2016, submitted