The Many Uses of Silicone Grease

Silicone is approaching it first century mark. It was formally discovered during the 1930s and went into wide commercial and industrial usage beginning in the 1940s.

It offers a staggering number of flexible properties. For example, silicone is:

· Resistant to water, ultraviolet rays, ozone and oxygen

· Capable of maintaining stability at a huge range of temperatures

· Food safe and virtually non-toxic

· Resilient and flexible even after completing the curing process

· Usable as a solid or liquid

· Resistant to interaction with other chemicals

· An excellent electrical insulator

One thing for which silicone is becoming widely known is its function as a lubricant. This is seen when it is in the form of silicone grease and silicone oil. This discussion will focus strictly on the uses and benefits of silicone grease.

Lubricants are used for many things, but one quality they all must have is endurance. They must be able to last for the entire span for which they are used. For example, a medical lubricant needs to only last for the duration of the procedure or operation. An automotive lubricant, however, will be required to withstand exposure to heat, water, debris and other issues while also providing support for the movement of the joints or parts to which it is applied. Silicone grease tends to be an ideal solution for many such needs.

Today, there are many industries and processes that rely upon silicone grease, and these include rubber parts manufacturers, automotive manufacturers, plumbers, electricians, and everyday consumers.

Silicone grease is a superior lubricant and preservative for many rubber parts, and so is often selected by manufacturers of such items as “O” rings. This is also due to the fact that silicone grease is not generally absorbed by the materials to which it is applied, which means no swelling or softening of the materials as well.

Plumbers will use silicone grease for faucets and any other seals that are exposed constantly to water and pressure. Electricians use silicone grease because it has excellent insulating properties and thermal stability which makes it a good choice for application to separable elbows on dense lines.

The consumer market for silicone grease is actually quite diverse, and gun owners as well as those who are aiming to maintain dry suits and delicate items like fountain pens and waterproof watches will all turn to silicone grease to meet their needs. They don’t use a substance such as petroleum jelly because it degrades many pieces of equipment that employ frequent motion.

Finally, many untraditional consumer applications rely on silicone grease. This can be as a polish on such areas as kitchen work surfaces, it can be used to prevent leaking battery cells from corroding equipment contacts, it can support the electrical systems of older cars by simply being applied at contact points, and it is a great way to ensure spark plugs operate effectively and are easier to put in and take out. Of course, many consumer products such as latex condoms also rely upon silicone grease as well.

Silicone grease is a safe, non-toxic and flexible material that can be put to use in any room of the house and also in almost any major industrial application.