Novagard Chemistry
The Beauty of Silicone
Silicones chemistry is one of the most versatile chemistries on the planet, rendering it full of possibilities and producing a wide range of formulations and uses from aesthetic to technical. Due to their molecular structure, silicones have an exceptional breadth of chemical and physical properties and can be manufactured in more than 2,000 different forms including solids, liquids, semi-viscous pastes, greases, oils and rubber. Silicones are important components of countless popular everyday products.
Silicone production starts from sand or quartz (silica); after use they eventually decompose back to sand. The first step in making silicones is the retrieval of the element silicon from silica, the second most abundant element found in the earth’s crust and the raw material from which all silicone chemistry finds it roots.
From Silicon to Silicone
Silicones are not to be confused with the chemical element silicon, a crystalline metalloid widely used in computers and other electronic equipment. In contrast, silicones not only contain silicon atoms but also oxygen, carbon and hydrogen and thus possess different chemical and physical properties than elemental silicon. Although they contain organic components, silicones are generally more stable and inert than typical organic substances.
Silicone production starts from sand or quartz (silica); after use they eventually decompose back to sand. The first step in making silicones is the retrieval of the element silicon from silica, the second most abundant element found in the earth’s crust and the raw material from which all silicone chemistry finds it roots.
Novagard Solutions manufactures Industrial Greases and Lubricants for the Automotive Industry; Caulks and Sealants for Window OEM; Adhesives and Grouts for the Pool and Spa Industry; Metal Panel Sealants; and products for the RV Industry.
Silicones play an increasingly important role supporting improvement, innovation and progress in a wide range of industry sectors, from automobiles to electronics to textiles. Silicone innovation has been and remains crucial for the development of many modern technologies that enhance energy efficiency, safety and comfort. Green innovations, such as the electric vehicle and the LED lamp, rely on silicone technology and silicone construction materials are significantly contributing to the sustainability of buildings. Did you know that car airbags are treated with silicone to facilitate proper functionality?
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veryday the Novagard Solutions team of chemists work on engineering new and innovative products. Watch for updates to the Novagard Solutions Blog postings and you might see something new in the making!
It’s Not Magic…It’s Chemistry
The chemical backbone of silicones is formed by the elements silicon and oxygen. Silicones can take many forms – from liquids to solids – that allow engineers, scientists, inventors and companies to use them as a vital component in thousands of consumer and industrial applications. Whether come in the forms of fluids, rubber, gels, resins and mixtures, it is their versatility that makes silicones a key ingredient in products that make our lives better every day. From shampoo and baking molds to cars, computers and precision engineered spacecraft, silicones can be found in a myriad of applications.
