04 Features attributable to siloxane bonds
Silicones are highly functional materials that exhibit both inorganic and organic characteristics. Silicones have an array of useful and distinctive features, which are directly related to their molecular structures.
Every silicone consists of organic group side chains attached to a main chain of siloxane bonds (-Si-O-Si-). This backbone of siloxane bonds is a featureshared in common with inorganic materials such as glass and quartz. Siloxane bonds have much higher bond energy than the C-C and C-O bonds forming the main chains of organic polymers. With their high bond energy, siloxane bonds will not break even at temperatures around 200°C. They are also chemically stable, with high heat-resistance and weatherability.
