Silicon Vs. Silicone: How Each Material Is Used

The chemistry lexicon is full of words that are infuriatingly similar to each other despite having completely different meanings. A perfect example of this is the difference between silicon and silicone. There is only one letter separating these two words, but their meanings are far more distinct. Silicon is a naturally-occurring element found all over the planet, while silicone is a synthetic product used for many commercial purposes such as making rubber products, lubricants, and insulation.

Silicon and silicone share nearly identical names because, although they are different substances, they are very closely related. Silicon is used in the production of silicone; it's one of the most common industrial uses for the natural element. As important as silicon is, though, silicone only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to silicon's uses, and it's important to highlight all the ways that this element has transformed our world and our everyday lives.

Silicon is the 14th element on the periodic table, having the chemical symbol Si. It is the second most abundant element in Earth's crust after oxygen, accounting for over a quarter of the crust's composition. It is mostly found bonded with oxygen in the form of silicon dioxide, aka silica, which commonly comes in the form of the mineral quartz. Pure silicon is never found in nature, but you can make pure silicon crystals from sand, which is primarily composed of quartz.

Beyond its role in the natural world, silicon is an incredibly important element in human industry. In the form of silica, it plays a central role in construction as an ingredient in bricks, glass, and concrete. The advent of electricity made silicon more important than ever, as it is an ideal semiconductor, meaning it can be made to both conduct electrical currents and block them with just a slight change in conditions. In the case of silicon, it conducts electricity better the warmer it gets. Semiconductors have many advantages for industrial uses, including affordability, efficiency, and compactness.

Today, silicon plays a bigger role in human life than ever before. As the material used to make microchips, it is the foundation of almost every modern electronic device. That's why California's Santa Clara Valley, which hosts leading tech companies like Apple, Alphabet, Adobe, and Meta, is popularly known as "Silicon Valley".

Silicone is just another one of silicon's many industrial uses. Silicone is a type of synthetic polymer, which are compounds made of very large molecules. Examples of naturally occurring polymers include quartz and other common minerals, while synthetic polymers include nylon and polyester. Silicone is another synthetic polymer, and its main ingredients are silicon and oxygen, which are joined together by covalent bonds.

Silicone comes in many forms, including solid and fluid products. One of the most common applications of silicone is in silicone rubber, which is widely used for its combination of flexibility and durability. It can withstand high temperatures, making it a great insulator for electrical products and a popular material for kitchen tools. It's an essential material in the automotive industry, used for hoses and seals. In fact, the door seals on most appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers, are made from silicone rubber. Thanks to its durable and flexible nature, it's also one of the best materials for medical implants and devices like catheters.

Two other common uses of silicone are in adhesives and lubricants. Silicone adhesives are waterproof, and they can bind to almost any material, including wood, metal, glass, and ceramics. Silicone lubricants are widely used in the automotive industry, with the arguably best-known brand being WD-40. There's a good chance you've used it yourself, not to mention countless other silicone-based products. It's truly one of the unsung heroes of modern industry.