Silicon O-Rings

Silicones, despite containing carbon and hydrogen, are primarily constructed around a robust sequence of silicon and oxygen atoms, rather than featuring a long chain of carbon atoms as found in many hydrocarbons. This silicon-oxygen backbone is considerably stronger than a carbon-based one, rendering silicones highly resistant to extreme temperatures (-54 to +232°C), chemical exposure, and shearing stresses.

Due to the saturation in the polymer’s primary chain, silicones exhibit remarkable resistance to oxygen, ozone, and UV light. However, this saturation necessitates peroxide curing since sulfur curing is not feasible for a saturated polymer.