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Why are silicone rubbers resistant to heat and oxidation?
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elastomer
Learn about elastomers that are changeable in colour and texture, much like the skin of octopuses and other cephalopods. In the elastomers, these changes take place under electrical stimulation.
Silicone rubbers are highly resistant to heat and oxidation primarily due to the unique chemical structure of their molecular backbone. Unlike most industrial polymers that rely on carbon-based backbones, silicone rubbers consist of alternating atoms of silicon and oxygen.12
The Si–O bond is inherently heat-resistant and is not readily attacked by oxygen or ozone. This stability allows silicone-based elastomers to maintain their properties across a wide temperature range, making them exceptionally durable in environments where other materials might degrade.12