Silicone offers many advantages over other forms of elastomers. It is well known for its use in food, pharmaceutical and other clean industry applications. It is a resilient material capable of maintaining many of its properties at extremely low and high temperatures. Some grades of silicone rubber can remain flexible, and show low levels of compression set, down to temperatures as low as -100 °C and as high as 315 °C. It is naturally electrically insulating but can be compounded to offer high resistance for the bleeding of static charges or to offer a low resistance to conduct signal voltages. High tear resistance, good elongation at break and tensile strength are some of the other characteristics of silicone. Fluorosilicones provide resistance to many solvents, including petrol.
