Silicones at the interface
You are surrounded by interfaces and interfacial phenomena every day – when
you shampoo your hair, shake up your salad dressing, wash your clothes, paint
the trim on your house, wear contact lenses, put on a bandage, or apply a
postage stamp.
All these familiar objects have interfaces that are designed and controlled
through interfacial science and technology.
Optimizing material boundaries
An interface is the boundary between two non-miscible (non-mixable)
materials. There are five kinds of interfaces, and silicones have demonstrated
their usefulness in all of them:
-
Liquid/gas
-
Liquid/liquid
-
Liquid/solid
-
Solid/solid
-
Solid/gas
Surface and interface applications for silicones
Because of their dual, organic-inorganic nature, polarity, and other unique
physical and
chemical properties, silicones and silanes can influence the way interfaces
behave. Their influence can be stabilizing or destabilizing, depending on the
application.
-
Some silicones are applied directly to the surface or interface in the form
of sealants, films, or coatings.
-
Others work as integral additives that diffuse or travel to the interface
when needed.
Here is a tiny sample of the thousands of surface applications for silicones
and silanes.
Follow the links to read related application and success stories.
| Interface Type | Silicone or Silane Application |
|
Liquid/Gas
 |
-
Evaporation retardant
-
Defoaming agent
-
Polyurethane foam stabilizer
-
Foam stabilizer for shaving cream
-
Foam preventative for instant iced tea mix
-
Antifoam/defoaming agent for antiflatulent/antacid formulations
|
|
Liquid/Liquid
 |
-
Emulsion polymer coalescence aid
-
Silicone fluid emulsifier
-
Crude-oil demulsifier
-
Compatibilizer for topical creams, ointments and lotions
|
|
Liquid/Solid
 |
-
Pigment dispersant for color cosmetics
-
Emollient for topical medications
-
Furniture polish
-
Silicone
bakeware
-
Coolant-compatible
radiator assembly gasket
-
Encapsulant for LED semiconductor chip
-
Masonry
water-repellent treatment
-
Paint gloss enhancer
-
Dewatering aid
-
Drainage aid for wood pulp washing
-
Foliar nutrient wetting/spreading aid
|
|
Solid/Solid
 |
-
Silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)
-
Marine
antifouling coating
-
Release liner for organic PSA
-
Mold release spray
-
Integral plastics release agent
-
Adhesion promoter for latex caulk
-
Filler treatment for silica-reinforced
“green” tires
-
Anti-caking aid for cosmetic powders
-
Fiber lubricant
-
Silicone coating system for latex catheters to increase patient
comfort
-
Metal-to-plastic industrial lubricant
-
Silicone structural glazing sealant
|
|
Solid/Gas
 |
-
Skin care and hair care products
-
Wool anti-static treatment
-
Electrical insulator coating
|
Silicone emulsifiers – a case in
point
|
|
|
An emulsion is a stable mixture of two incompatible materials, like oil and
water, or water and air. Silicone surfactants – organically modified silicone
polymers with a hydrophilic (water-loving) "head" and a hydrophobic
(water-fearing) "tail" – are able to engulf and stabilize droplets of
one material within the other. Learn more about how silicone surfactants work.
|
|
|
|
| Did you know ... some silicones lack durability
on certain substrates. But if the proper organofunctional group is attached,
the silicone will develop a durable association with the substrate – cling or
chemically bond to it! Learn more about organically
modified silicones. |
|
|
Explore your material options
|
Get answers
Have a question about silicone interface science?
|
|  |
|
|
| Sign up for free e-mail updates about silicone materials and technologies from Dow Corning. |
|
|
|
|