Silicone Adhesive - The Main Ingredient in Silicone Adhesive

Silicone adhesives are used in many applications as they are resistant to weathering, moisture and even extreme temperatures. They are also odorless and do not emit harmful fumes.

Unlike other adhesives, silicones do not require a primer to bond materials together. This is because their curing process depends on the reactivity of their cure systems and the natural presence of reactive groups on the surfaces of the substrates.
Silica

Silica is the main ingredient in silicone adhesives. This natural material can be found in a variety of minerals. Engineers rely on these products because they offer a wide range of benefits for industrial applications. They are extremely durable, withstand temperature changes, can resist moisture and ozone and can handle vibrations.

These systems are used in a wide range of applications ranging from bonding glass to ceramic materials. They also work well in high heat exposure areas such as automotive engine manufacturing. Additionally, these bonds are flexible and resistant to water, chemicals, low temperatures and ultraviolet light.

Unlike other adhesives that require significant preparation, silicones are easily applied and can cure quickly. These adhesives are also non-toxic, which emphasizes their safety for use in medical applications. Some systems require priming, which increases the number of chemical bonds formed at the substrate/adhesive interface. This process involves applying a thin primer that chemically functional-izes the substrate. This prepares the surface to react with the silicone curing system.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

The main type of silicone adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). PSAs don’t require much pressure to adhere to a surface. Instead, they rely on chemicals at the adhesive-substrate interface.

This interaction is driven by the reactivity of the silicone cure system and the natural presence of reactive groups on the surface of the substrates. This interaction results in maximum van der Waals and London dispersion intermolecular interactions at the silicone-substrate interface.

Medical PSAs are available with tack, adhesion and viscoelasticity that can be tuned to meet strict medical protocols, variable temperatures and caustic environments. These PSAs are used to apply surgical tapes, medical skin tapes and drug delivery systems that are safe for the patient and can be accurately controlled in a variety of application conditions.

The most common way to make a PSA is through two-part chemistry where the adhesive and curing agent are separate components that must be mixed a short time before application. Another method is to use water-based emulsions. These are produced by mixing acrylic polymer and other additives into water. They are then coated onto a web, and the water is evaporated with heat and air flow to create a dry adhesive that is wound into a roll.
One Part Systems

In automotive production, silicone adhesives are used for sealing gaskets in engines and as a general bonding agent for various parts. It is also frequently used in electronics and appliances, primarily as a sealant on cables and sensors. It is ideal for bonding metals and dissimilar surfaces because it is able to adhere without needing to pre-treat the substrates.

The main ingredient in Silicone Adhesive is silica, which is found everywhere in nature, making up one fourth of the Earth’s crust. It is found in sand, soil, and granite and is also present in glass and concrete.

Depending on the application, Silicone adhesives can be formulated as two part systems that require the addition of a curing agent or one part systems that cure simply by absorbing atmospheric moisture. Additionally, it is available in a variety of primerless or self-primed forms, allowing it to adhere to many substrates without needing a separate surface treatment. This versatility makes silicone adhesives an excellent solution for a wide range of industries.
LED Curing

The main ingredient in silicone adhesive is silica, a common mineral that occurs naturally throughout the earth. It can be found in sand, soil, granite and rocks. Silica is a natural compound that is non-chemical reactive and is resistant to most chemicals. This makes it an ideal choice for industrial applications that require durable, long-lasting materials.