Silicon-based potting resins play a key role as insulators or heat-conducting binders on electrical components such as transformers due to their excellent insulating properties. Their excellent hydrophobicity and high elasticity make them a favorite for a variety of demanding sealing applications in the automotive and lighting industries. In these conditions, they are used, along with other materials, to seal motors, sensors and various housings. In addition, many silicone materials have excellent light transmittance and therefore excellent light conduction. And because they don't turn yellow from aging or heat and light, they are also commonly used as a bonding material for LEDs and displays and touch screens. Even in the field of medical devices, these highly physiologically safe materials are used as glue fillers in the manufacture of pacemakers or sleep apnea masks.
Cured silicone resins have a characteristic heat resistance of about -40 >; In the temperature range of 250°C. Therefore, polyurethanes are often used instead of polyurethanes when they fail to meet temperature requirements. In addition, the material has high weather resistance and low calorific value during curing reactions. However, users often need to pay more for these excellent properties than they do for epoxy resins and polyurethane resins.
Silicone materials have a lower hardness rating. This can adversely affect some applications. In some specific applications, they may even have higher gas and water vapor permeability than epoxy resins and polyurethane resins, and lower adhesion to certain substrates. Silicones expand upon contact with certain solvents, such as gasoline, ethanol, and toluene. But the reaction is reversible, meaning that the material returns to its original state after the solvent has completely evaporated.