Silicone

Not to be confused with the chemical element silicon.

Silicon is the 14th element on the periodic table. It’s a metalloid, meaning it has properties of both metals and nonmetals, and is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, after oxygen.

Silicon readily bonds with oxygen and is rarely found in nature in its pure form. You’ve likely seen silicon as silicon dioxide or silica, better known as quartz, which is the most common component of sand.

What is Silicone made from?

Silicone, is a synthetic polymer made up of silicon, oxygen and other elements, most typically carbon and hydrogen.

Is Silicone a Plastic?

No, by definition it is a polymer; further divided into parts which are plastic, resin and elastomer. Silicon lies in the elastomer region as it can stretch more then 100%.

Confusingly, the terms polymer and resin are often synonymous with plastic.

Plastic is a product of petro-chemicals. Silicone on the other hand is an element pulled out of the ground, and is non-combustible (under normal conditions).