What is silicone oil used for?

Silicone oil is similar to a traditional hydrocarbon oil except that its molecular chain replaces carbon units with siloxane units. This oil is a nonflammable, nontoxic, tasteless, and odorless material. It is widely used by several industries including laboratories and medical facilities. Food grade versions of this oil are utilized by restaurants and breweries. Pharmaceutical companies also incorporate this oil in certain medicines.

Uses

✦ Silicone oil is used as a substitute for the vitreous fluid of the eye during many eye operations and treatments because no other substance matches the purity of this oil.

✦ Most of the anti-flatulent medicines contain this particular oil. It reduces the immoderately formed gas in the human digestive system.

✦ It is used in ointments and skin creams. As silicone oil is a water repellent, it prevents the skin from drying by forming a protective layer across the skin, but it does allows the skin to breathe.

✦ Silicone oil is used as a substitute for the vitreous fluid of the eye during many eye operations and treatments because no other substance matches the purity of this oil.

✦ Most of the anti-flatulent medicines contain this particular oil. It reduces the immoderately formed gas in the human digestive system.

✦ It is used in ointments and skin creams. As silicone oil is a water repellent, it prevents the skin from drying by forming a protective layer across the skin, but it does allows the skin to breathe.

✦ It has been used as a lubricant in woodworking and construction.

✦ While deep-frying foods in hotel, cooks often add small quantity of silicone oil to their cooking oil to prevent the latter from foaming and splattering. But never substitute silicone oil entirely as this can prove to be toxic.

✦ Silicone oil is employed in the fermenting process in breweries.

✦ It acts as a good mold release for plastics and rubber components during their manufacture.

✦ It is used as a hydraulic oil in aircraft as it has anti-shear properties.

✦ This oil is used in laboratories in heating baths.

✦ The refrigerants added in freezing machines also contain silicone oil.

✦ Silicone oil is used in clays and silly putty.

✦ Textiles require a smooth finishing, and therefore, silicone oil is used in provide required softness.

These were the many uses of silicone oil. Indeed, this oil has very interesting properties as well as uses. 

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