Believe it or not, chemistry is everywhere in our daily lives. We rarely stop to think about what things are made of, the things that we use every day and take for granted. Take for example silicone, which is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust after oxygen. The earth’s surface is composed of up to 28% silicon found in rocks, sand and clay.

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Silicon is most found with oxygen as silica. Silica is then used for the production of silicon metal which then reacts with other compounds to produce silicone. Silicone is a synthetic resin with alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. For more information on Silicone Moulding UK, visit Meadex

You may not think these materials can be very exciting but it’s a pretty smart thing. Silicones are highly resistant to extreme high and low temperatures. They are also resistant to the damage done by UV rays and repel water. This makes them really important for many uses and are used in a lot in industries such as electronics, agriculture, textiles, transport, construction and even cosmetics.

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You may be surprised to learn that silicon that has been used for more than forty years in the production of medical devices, including catheters, needles, pacemakers and gloves. Silicone implants are used to regulate the issue of body contouring as well. You will find these compounds in everyday products as well as including aspects of water-repellent clothing, electrical insulation, aerosol anti-perspirants and even anti-acid drugs.