Generally, rubber and silicone are polymeric materials-i.e. materials that exhibit the viscoelastic behaviour that we refer to as elasticity. They are both elastomers but there is a difference between rubber and silicone (rubber vs silicone).
Rubber and silicone are two materials we can differentiate through their atomic structure. Compared to normal rubbers, silicones have more special properties.
What Is Rubber?
Rubber, also known as latex, or Amazonian rubber, is a naturally occurring material that consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene alongside minor impurities of the organic compound.
All elastomers are generally considered rubbers- an elastic material that changes dimension by stressing. They return to the original dimensions once the stress is removed.
Generally, there are several types of rubbers such as natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, nitrile rubber, rubber, polychloroprene, and butadiene rubber.
The four leading producers of rubber globally are Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Across these four Asian nations and any other country where rubber is produced, they are mainly harvested in the form of latex from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).
Latex is a sticky, milky, and white colloid extracted from the rubber tree by marking incisions in the bark. The fluid is collected in vessels in a process known as “tapping”.
After it’s extracted from the tree, the latex will be refined into rubber- a material ready for commercial processing. Sometimes the process preferred in major areas is to allow the latex to coagulate in the collection cup. After that, the coagulated lumps will be collected and then processed into dry forms before they are sold.
Rubber is a naturally occurring material used for various purposes. Natural rubber are essential material for many products. It’s used in many applications either in combination with other materials or alone.
Natural rubber has a large stretch ratio with a high resilience and it’s also waterproof, which makes it the preferred material for producing safety gears.
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What Is Silicone?
Silicone or polysiloxane is a form of synthetic rubber, a polymer that consists of siloxane.
We can differentiate silicone from rubber through its atomic structure. Compared to normal rubbers, silicones have more special properties. Silicones are colourless oils or rubber-like substance that is synthetic in nature.
Unlike natural rubber, silicone is a material that consists of a backbone of silicon atoms and alternating oxygen atoms. It’s a material that is more resistant to heat than other elastomers.
This is because of the material’s inorganic backbone, which makes it resistant to chemicals and fungus.
Silicone rubber is also resistant to ozone and ultraviolet damage. This is due to the silicone oxygen bond being less susceptible to ozone and chemical attacks.
Silicone is a material that has a lower tensile strength and tear strength compared to other organic rubbers.
Generally, silicones are used to produce various important materials we use in our everyday lives. They are used in sealants, lubricants, cooking utensils, adhesives, electrical insulation, and thermal insulation.
Additionally, silicone comes in different forms such as silicone oil, silicone rubber, silicone resin, silicone grease, and silicone caulk.
Rubber vs Silicone: What Is the Difference between Rubber and Silicone?
Rubber and silicone are two materials that can be differentiated through their atomic structure.
The main difference between natural rubber and silicone is that the backbone of silicone is made up of silicone and oxygen, whereas the backbones of most of the rubber forms contain carbon-carbon bonds.
Compared to normal rubbers, silicones have more special properties.
Another key difference between rubber and silicone is that normal rubber is less resistant to heat compared to silicone, Rubber is also less resistant to fungus attacks, chemical attacks, and ozone and ultraviolet attacks.
Silicone is a more durable material that is effectively resistant to heat, chemical attacks, fungus attacks, ozone and ultraviolet attacks.
Another difference between these two elastomers is that organic rubbers have poor tensile and tear properties when exposed to high temperatures. Unlike organic rubbers, silicone has good tensile and tear properties when exposed to high temperatures.
So, silicone rubber is a more durable material than organic rubber. Silicone offers special properties which are not organic rubbers lack.
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Rubber vs Silicone: Properties of Rubber and Silicone
Rubber is a naturally occurring material that consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene alongside minor impurities of the organic compound. It’s a material that exhibits unique physical and chemical properties.
In close observation, rubber’s stress-strain behaviour exhibits what is known as the Mullin effect and the Payne effect. Rubber strain crystallizes and because there are weakened allylic C-H bonds in every repeat unit, natural rubber is likely to be affected by vulcanization.
Naphtha (petroleum) and turpentine are the two major solvents for rubber. Rubber is a material that does not dissolve easily but when exposed to a heat temperature of approximately 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit) it starts to melt.
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Silicone
Silicone or polysiloxane is a form of synthetic rubber, a polymer that consists of siloxane.
Because of the silicone oxygen bond, it’s less susceptible to ozone and chemical attacks. Generally, silicones exhibit various valuable characteristics, which include;
- Low chemical reactivity
- Low thermal conductivity
- Thermal stability
- The ability to repel water and form watertight seals
- Low toxicity
- Silicones do not stick to many substrates, but they do adhere to materials such as glass
- Silicones are resistant to creasing and wrinkling
- Does not support microbiological growth
- Silicones are less susceptible to ozone attacks and chemical attacks
Silicones possess electrical insulation properties. Since silicone can be formulated to become electrically conductive, it’s a suitable and reliable material for a variety of electrical applications.
Rubber vs Silicone: Comparison Chart
| Rubber | Silicone | |
| Definition | Rubber, also known as latex, or Amazonian rubber, is a naturally occurring material that consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene alongside minor impurities of the organic compound. | Silicone or polysiloxane is a form of synthetic rubber, a polymer that consists of siloxane. |
| Properties | Natural rubber is less resistant to heat, fungus attacks, chemical attacks, ozone and ultraviolet attacks. | Silicone is more resistant to heat, fungus attacks, chemical attacks, ozone and ultraviolet attacks |
| Backbone structure | The backbones of most of the rubber forms are made up of carbon-carbon bonds. | the backbone of silicone is made up of silicone and oxygen |
| Tensile and tear properties | Organic rubber possesses poor tensile and tear properties at high temperature | These are properties that are excellent in silicone rubbers at the same temperature conditions. |
| Source | Can be natural and synthetic | Synthetic |
| Thermal insulation | Not very suitable because it’s less resistant to heat | A better material than other rubbers for thermal insulation because of its resistant to heat |
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Rubber vs Silicone: More Differences
| Natural Rubber | Silicone |
| -50 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius | -50 degrees Celsius to 230 degrees Celsius |
| Poor weather resistance | Excellent weather resistance |
| Not compatible with strong acids, oils, fats, greases, hydrocarbons, and ozone. | Not compatible with alkalis and acids, hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, steam over 121 degrees Celsius, and trichloroethylene. |
Conclusion
All elastomers are generally considered rubbers- an elastic material that changes dimension by stressing. They return to the original dimensions once the stress is removed.
The main difference between natural rubber and silicone is that the backbone of silicone is made up of silicone and oxygen, whereas the backbones of most of the rubber forms are made up of carbon-carbon bonds.
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References
- Wikipedia: Natural rubber
- Wikipedia: Silicone
- Differncebetween: Difference Between Rubber and Silicone
- Jebhco: Silicone vs Natural Rubber
