Silicone is classified as an elastomer. It’s a rubber-like material that can expand before returning to its original shape. It’s a polymer in technical terms, and it’s best known for being:
- Non-reactive
- Flexible
- Temperature-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Biocompatible
Using a material as durable, heat-tolerant, flexible, and biocompatible as this polymer has numerous advantages. As a result, medical grade silicone is a popular choice among medical device manufacturers, and it’s also found in consumer products like cooking utensils, face shields, and scuba gear.
Silicone and silicon:
Silicone is not to be confused with silicon, which is a chemical element. Silicon is one of the most important components of silicone, and it is made by reducing silica.
Silicon is a man-made derivative of silicon and other chemical compounds, whereas silicon is a natural chemical element found in abundance on the earth.
Silicon and silicone are distinguished by the fact that silicon can be utilised as a semiconductor and is also extensively employed in the manufacture of ceramic glazes, tiles, and glass. Silicone, on the other hand, has more industrial and residential applications.
Properties of Silicone:
The following are some of the most prevalent silicone properties:
- Silicones’ are chemically reactive and have limited thermal conductivity.
- In addition, their toxicity is low.
- It has the ability to repel water and create waterproof seals.
- Resistance to oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) light is strong.
- It has both insulating and conductive characteristics.
- Gas permeability and thermal stability are both high.
- Organic molecules require superior solvents.
Silicone Teether:
Silicone teethers have increasingly become the preferred method of providing risk-free and secure comfort to babies. Silicone is unlike plastic in that it is not as detrimental to one’s health. Hazardous chemicals in plastic teethers, such as BPA, polyvinyl chloride, and phthalates, are among these dangers. These compounds have been found in studies to produce hormonal abnormalities, which can result in neurological, developmental, and reproductive harm.
When your kid gets his first set of teeth, he may go through a period of intense emotions. Because a tiny number of children respond quietly to this development, some parents have an easier time during their children’s teething. Others must go about their business, as all symptoms and anguish appear to impact parents and children.
The following are some of the symptoms that may occur as a result of this change:
- Drooling
- Obnoxiousness
- Gums that are inflamed
- Chew and bite whatever they can get their hands on
- Alter your sleeping and eating habits
Because plastic teethers are prohibited, rubber and silicone are used to fill the void. Silicone is still the preferred material because it causes no known sensitivities.
Is silicone suitable for infants?
Other characteristics of silicone that distinguish it include:
- The growth of microbes is inhibited by silicon.
- Silicone is oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet resistant (UV)
- Silicon has a low toxicity and chemical reactivity.
- Silicone is used for a variety of reasons in a variety of fields due to its unique properties.
It’s employed in a variety of industries, including electrical, vehicle, medicine and dental, textile and paper, domestic, and others. It is without a doubt suitable for the development of safe, chewy, and calming infant teeth.
Benefits of Silicone Teether:
- Silicone teethers have the following advantages:
- Teethers made of silicone can be used in refrigerators and dishwashers.
- Silicone is a soft, chewy, and long-lasting material.
- The surface of silicon is non-slip.
- Food-grade silicone is used to make silicone teethers, which is a perfectly safe and food-compatible silicone. These teethers are non-toxic.
- Silicone teethers are a soft, chewy, calming toy that eliminates the risk of asphyxia. Silicone teethers are hypoallergenic, so they’re safe for your infant.
- BPA, PVC, and phthalates are not found in silicone teethers. They don’t have any rough or sharp edges, and they don’t filter out any dangerous compounds.
Is silicone a superior alternative to plastic?
All materials have advantages and disadvantages, but silicone, as far as we can determine, has numerous advantages over plastic. To summarise, high-quality silicone consists of:
- It’s non-toxic and odourless, and it’s free of harmful chemicals.
- It’s made from a plentiful natural resource.
- In both hot and cold weather, it is quite durable.
- For portability, it’s light and flexible.
- Environmentally friendly — in waste reduction and manufacturing.
- It’s hygienic and simple to clean.
- Non-hazardous and recyclable garbage
Conclusion:
Silicones provide a number of advantages to the goods in which they are employed, including increased flexibility and moisture resistance, as well as resistance to heat, cold, and UV radiation. Solids, liquids, semi-viscous pastes, greases, oils, and rubber are all examples of silicone products.