Over the last 50 years, the aerospace and aircraft industries have used silicone in an ever-growing number of applications. Silicone inherently has high dielectric strength (typically ≥ 500 V/mil) and a large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), allowing it to absorb stresses during thermal cycling. In addition, a low modulus and low glass-transition point enable silicone to remain elastic at low temperatures and resist breakdown at high temperatures or in ultraviolet (UV) light.
In addition to these characteristics, key to the legacy of silicone in an expanding range of applications is the material’s ability to be designed as needed to fulfill a particular role. New innovations in silicone technology that add to silicone’s prolific resume and success in the aerospace and aircraft industries include fuel- and solvent-resistant silicone elastomers, silicone ice-release coatings for aerodynamic surfaces, and controlled volatility silicone film adhesives.