Inorganic siloxane polymer chains with organic ligands attached to the silicon atom enable significant improvements in thermal stability as compared to organic backbone molecules. As documented over the last 40+ years, siloxanes-based oils, greases, and lubricants correspondingly provide extreme environmental stability with extended lifetime for challenging applications in the manufacturing and automotive markets. Expansion of the siloxane molecule architecture beyond linear chains has led to silsesquioxanes leading to further unique properties. These molecules allow for expanded organic functionality unleashing the power of silicones in practically every commercial industry. Silsesquioxanes combined with various linear siloxane chains results in elastomeric materials exhibiting high strength, high flexibility, and high thermal stability. These designed elastomers can also provide clear optical grade materials without sacrificing the mechanical attributes throughout the lifetime of the material in the final consumer device.  This session with provide examples of these siloxane materials in various applications, with emphasis on the significance of the material thermal stability. Insights into the development of these materials will be reviewed within the context of the presenter’s non-traditional career path toward becoming a research chemist.

Role of thermal stability in siloxane applications

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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