Silicone is an amazing replicator of fine detail, and I'm particularly excited about its similar potential to mimic the textures of cat eyes and Fresnel lenses to produce optical effects, from human skin to computer screens." - Amy Brener

The main reason why artists are so enthusiastic about silicone is because of the material's excellent properties.
Silicone resin (also known as polysiloxane) is a kind of polymer composed of silicon atoms and oxygen atoms alternately linked to form a skeleton, different organic groups and silicon atoms linked together again. Organosilicone resin structure contains both "organic group", and "inorganic structure", this special composition and molecular structure makes it set organic characteristics and inorganic function in one.

The properties of the finished product of silicone depend on the number of organic groups (the ratio of R to Si). The ratio of R to Si in the molecular composition of general practical silicone resins is between 1.2 and 1.6. As a general rule, the smaller the R: Si value is, the better the cured silicone resin will be at lower temperatures. The higher the R: Si value is, the cured silicone resin needs to be baked for a long time at 200~250℃. The hardness of the obtained film is poor, but the thermal elasticity is much better than the former.


In addition, the ratio of methyl to phenyl groups in organic groups also has a great influence on the properties of silicone resins. The lower the content of phenyl in the organic group, the softer the film, the faster the condensation, the higher the content of phenyl, the harder the film, the more thermoplastic. Phenyl content between 20 ~ 60%, the best bending resistance and heat resistance of the film. In addition, the introduction of phenyl can improve the compatibility of silicone resin with pigments, silicone resin with other silicone resins and silicone adhesion to a variety of substrates.