Difference of Silicon and Silicone?
What is silicon?
Silicon is a natural substance that is a chemical element and has properties of both metals and nonmetals. It is listed on the periodic table of elements as Si.
Pure silicon is a chemical element, the second most common inside the Earth's crust (after oxygen). Over 90% of the Earth's crust is composed of silicate minerals. Elemental silicon is used in several chemical and industrial areas. Still, its most important usage is in semiconductor electronics for modern technology, such as computers, smartphones, and other microchips. It can also be used to create bricks and glass products. The easiest way to tell silicon apart from silicone (which has an "e" at the end) is to think about Silicon Valley – named after this element due to its use in microchip technology – which is home to many start-up companies specializing in technology development around the world.
What is silicone?
Silicone is a manufactured substance consisting of silicon, oxygen, and other elements, depending on its form or type.
Silicones are polymers or heat-resistant liquids composed of repeated units of siloxane. These oils or rubber-like substances are colorless and have properties similar to those of natural silicone found in nature. Silicone is also used in various applications such as medical devices, personal care products, construction materials, and more due to its non-toxic properties.
Differences between silicon and silicone
Both silicon and silicone are used in a variety of applications, including as semiconductors, lubricants, waterproof sealants, and heat-resistant products.
Silicon is a naturally occurring chemical element, while silicone is an artificial substance that includes silicon and other elements. Pure silicon is an ideal semiconductor, while liquid silicone can be used as a lubricant for machine parts or as an adhesive or rubber-like plastic polymer. Additionally, silicon may be found in its crystalline forms like sand or glass, while silicone can also be flexible and moisture resistant.
Uses of silicon and silicone
Silicon and silicone are both used in a wide variety of industrial applications and consumer products. Some of their uses include:
• Coatings for electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, entertainment systems, and keyboards.
• Silicone caulk for sealing open areas between molding and drywall or flooring and sealing the edges of sinks, tubs, and other bathroom fixtures.
• Use kitchen tools such as cooking utensils, nonstick baking sheets, individual cupcake liners, and more. It is considered safer than plastic alternatives.
• Vehicle parts such as airbags, shock absorbers, windshield wipers headlamps are typically made from silicone rubber or silicones.
• Breast implants filled with silicone gel or saline can pose potential risks.
FAQ
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a semi-metal with properties that are intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals. It is the second most common element in the universe after oxygen.
Silicone is a type of material made from silicon, which can be used in various applications, such as in medical devices, cosmetics, and electronics. However, unlike silicon, silicone does not have any significant commercial uses as a pure substance due to its high melting point and low thermal conductivity. Instead, it is usually found combined with other elements, such as oxygen or carbon, to form compounds with more useful properties for specific applications such as heat resistance or flexibility.
