- Common hydrocarbon oils are generally comprised of a chain of carbon atoms, which leaves each carbon atom with two "spare" bonds to bond with other atoms, usually hydrogen. Silicone oil is comprised of siloxane units (a silicon atom and an oxygen atom) in a chain, so the chain comprises Si-O-Si-O-Si-O and so on. The silicon atoms, like the carbon atoms, thus have two spare bonds to link with other atoms.
- Because of their similarities with hydrocarbon oils, silicone oils share some of the same characteristics, including both thermal and electrical insulation. Unlike hydrocarbons, however, silicone oils are not flammable, rendering them much safer.
- Silicone oil can be used as an insulator in high-temperature applications such as transformers. In medical fields, it is used as a lubricant or coating for syringes and other devices, and is even injected into the eye during some eye surgery procedures.
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