Question

Is Silicone a plastic or rubber?

Answer 1

In order to answer this question, first we will discuss whether the Silicone is a plastic or a rubber and we will also describe the exact reason behind it. And then we will discuss more about the Silicone and about its formation.

Complete answer:
Silicone is a Plastic Polymer, although it may be referred to as a synthetic rubber. However, it’s slightly more complicated than that.
A silicone, often known as polysiloxane, is a polymer composed of siloxane. Colorless oils or rubber-like compounds are the most common. Sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medications, culinary utensils, and thermal and electrical insulation all use silicones. Silicone oil, silicone grease, silicone rubber, silicone resin, and silicone caulk are some of the most prevalent types.
Silicones are made up of an inorganic silicon–oxygen backbone chain $( - Si - O - Si - O - Si - O - )$ with two organic groups connected to each silicon core, and are also known as polymerized siloxanes or polysiloxanes. Methyl groups are the most common organic groups. Cyclic or polymeric materials can be used. Silicones can be made with a wide range of characteristics and compositions by altering the lengths of $- Si - O -$ chains, side groups, and crosslinking. They might be liquid, gel, rubber, or hard plastic in substance. The most common siloxane is linear polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a silicone oil. Silicone resins, which are made up of branching and cage-like oligosiloxanes, are the second most common type of silicone material.
Silicone is frequently confused with silicon, however the two are not the same thing. Silicon is a chemical element that is a hard dark-grey semiconducting metalloid that is used to produce integrated circuits ("electronic chips") and solar cells in its crystalline form. Silicones are compounds made up of silicon, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and maybe other elements, and they have a wide range of physical and chemical properties.

Note:
Silicone rubbers are typically one- or two-part polymers with fillers added to improve characteristics or lower costs. Silicone rubber is non-reactive, stable, and resistant to harsh conditions and temperatures ranging from $-55^\circ \, C$ to $300^\circ \, C$ $(-67)^\circ\, F$ to $572^\circ\, F$ while still retaining its useful qualities.