Silicones have a very particular set of properties that give them an important niche in the adhesive industry1. They are chemically resistant, water repellant, stable at temperatures up to 300°C, and physically strong. In comparison to epoxy-based sealants and polyurethane adhesives they are a relatively expensive solution but are familiar to many as bathroom adhesives and also fulfil a number of specialised engineering roles.
Silicone polymerisations are often performed through condensation mechanisms. That is, the components of their formulations react together at the cost of the elimination of a by-product molecule for each linkage made. Different condensation curing systems are named according to the leaving group of the crosslinker that is used in their formulation. Therefore acetoxy-cure mechanisms give off acetic acid, alkoxy-cure mechanisms give off alcohols and oxime-cure mechanisms give off dimethyl ketoxime (DMKO). With these condensation by-products lies the source of a number of problems for silicones.