Difference Between Silicone Oil & Silicone Gel
Silicone is a synthetic plastic material composed of a silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen mix. The synthetic plastic substance is most often split into two different groups. Silicone oils and silicone resins or gels are used to make a host of products that are used regularly everyday. There are an endless number of products that are byproducts of silicone oils and gels, including hair care products, breast implants, enclosures for electrical equipment and lotions.
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State of Matter
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Silicone gel is a cohesive polymer considered a solid for its ability to stick together. It is used in breast implants because it provides natural movement and feel. Silicone oil, on the other hand, is a non-cohesive polymer with organic side chains that is considered a liquid.
Hazards
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Both silicone gel and oil are nontoxic, colorless, odorless and stable in their purest form, but unlike silicone gel, silicone oil is highly flammable. However, both can cause irritation to the skin and must be handled cautiously.
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Properties
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Silicone gels act as a drying agent by absorbing water quickly. Silicone oil acts as a good heat transfer liquid due to its ability to maintain a stable temperature.
Uses within the Body
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Silicone gel is often used to augment or reconstruct different parts of the body like the calves, breast or cheeks. The substance is also used as a joint material for fabricated bone structures like rotary cuffs, knee caps and sockets. Silicone oil is not an approved injectable substance, but it is used to help attach detached retinal tissue in the eye.
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