Difference Between Silicone and Silica
Property |
Silicone |
Silica |
---|---|---|
Definition |
It is a synthetic polymer |
It is a chemical substance |
Composition |
Formed from the reaction of silicon with carbon, hydrogen and oxygen |
Formed from the reaction of silicon and oxygen |
Resistance |
Generally heat-resistant, can withstand high temperatures. |
High melting point and heat-resistant in crystalline form |
Commercial Source |
Found as silicone rubber, fluids, gels, resins, and more |
Found as crystalline quartz, amorphous silica (glass), and silica gel |
Melting Point |
Melting point is around 1410oC |
Melting point is around 1700oC |
Transparency |
Can be made transparent |
Inherently transparent |
Electronics Field |
Used for protective cases and seals |
Used in semiconductor industry |
Electrical Insulation |
Used as electrical insulators |
Not commonly used as electrical insulators |
Medical Field |
Used in medical devices and implants |
Not typically used in medical devices in its raw form |
Source |
Man made through chemical processes |
Naturally occurs in earth’s crust |
Other Uses |
Cookware, medical devices and implants, Lubricants etc. |
Glass production, optic fibers, ceramics, oil and gas industry etc. |
Difference Between Silicone and Silica
Difference Between Silicone and Silica: Silicon is the chemical element that is the second most abundant element found in Earth’s crust after oxygen. A synthetic polymer of silicon that contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) is silicone. It could be in solid, liquid, or gel form. Whereas silica is a mixture of oxygen and silicon. Both silicone and silica are related but differ based on their chemical properties and uses.
Table of Content
- What is Silicone?
- Properties of Silicone
- What is Silica?
- Properties of Silica
- Difference Between Silicone and Silica