Materials That Bridge The Gap in The Most Challenging Applications
Between 2023 and 2030, the silicone market is expected to rise at an exponential rate due to new business tactics, future-focused developments and technological advancements. High-performance silicones are ideal for the most demanding applications in key markets such as transportation, construction and industry due to their high-temperature performance, light weight, safety and proven impacts on supporting growth in sustainable market solutions.
At the October 4–5 Silicone Expo, the Saint-Gobain® Tape Solutions team was proud to share our expertise in silicone solutions. Our primary focus was to help identify the most challenging problems and find customizable solutions that go beyond the standard product portfolio. Through storytelling, thought leadership and the exchanging of ideas, we all get closer to tackling the toughest challenges, while thinking innovatively toward a more sustainable future.
Product Spotlight: A Closer Look into Our New Players
Visitors who stopped in booth #615 saw many of our Norseal® Silicone products, including solid silicone, reinforced silicone, silicone sponges, foams, SNS tapes, silicone adhesive tapes, silicone coated fiberglass and thermally conductive gap fillers. Our teams explained the unique chemical structure, temperature stability, general inertness, low-compression set and non-stick surface only silicone products provide! Due to quick compression recovery and weather, moisture, ozone, UV and fungus resistance, silicone products often boast extended service life in outdoor applications. They are ideal for multiple applications within many different markets including military, aerospace, electronics, transportation, robotics, electric vehicles (EV) and more.
One product stole the show. Let’s explore its key features, benefits and applications:
Norseal F-15: It is a medium-low density silicone, designed to deliver environmentally stable, flame-retardant performance for gasketing, insulation and dampening applications. It has often been the product of choice in aircraft, aerospace, rail and electronic applications.
It is a medium-low density silicone, designed to deliver environmentally stable, flame-retardant performance for gasketing, insulation and dampening applications. It has often been the product of choice in aircraft, aerospace, rail and electronic applications.
Key features include:
- Non-toxic, low smoke generation and low flame spread
- Excellent sealing against air, dust, light and moisture
- Excellent resistance to ultraviolet light, ozone and extreme temperature range
- Non-corrosive for use with metals and in hostile environments
- Modified cell foam, smooth on both sides
- Availability as a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape under the Norseal Silicone SNS 515GF line
This newer product recently passed the UL V-0 test and has UL certification. This certification ensures that F-15 meets the highest standards in terms of material and performance specifications. To learn more or share your application needs, connect with us today.
Taking Center-stage with Stories that Power-up Solutions
The best way to keep up with market trends and get better in terms of reducing CO2 emissions is to share stories of successes, challenges, innovative ideas or even failures. There is no better place for this than a presentation stage at a major tradeshow. Richard Austin, Worldwide Market Manager for Construction and Industrial Markets at Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions, participated in two presentations. In one he discussed key market trends that create growth for silicone materials and adhesive tapes, while in the other he discussed steps we can all take to reduce the CO2 footprint of silicone.
Some key takeaways include:
- Transportation is one area driving an increased need for silicones. Silicone can prevent key issues such as thermal runaway propagation, seal out the elements, provide thermal insulation, protect from toxic fire and smoke, and more! Our wide portfolio of products is key for driving success in aerospace, EV, automotive and rail applications.
- CO2 reduction pressures within industry applications are driving silicone usage to aid in automation processes, provide protection and insulation for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and improve efficiency and performance of renewable energy solutions.
- Lightweight and sustainable construction and industry de-carbonization call for increased use of silicone due to low-toxicity and ability to reduce energy demand by protecting from environmental factors and improving air/water tightness.
- Sustainability is a driving force for many of these macro-trends and regular communication with employees, customers, suppliers and key industry players is vital for keeping sustainability goals at the forefront, making progress and coming up with new innovations.
- Reducing waste should be top of mind. We should all strive to provide scraps to recyclers rather than landfills. By supporting recyclers, we can ensure enough recycled silicone materials to support projects that explore the utilization and performance of recycled silicone. Significant CO2 reductions can result from using recycled materials, but this needs to be a joint effort to get where we need to be and ensure continued improvements.
Throughout his presentation, Richard shared three main stories that demonstrate how silicone materials and adhesive tapes are supporting the growth of sustainable markets. The first story focused on our thermal runaway protection (TRP) solutions, the second on recycling efforts & successes and the third on how to create a purpose-driven culture, focused on delivering more sustainable solutions at all levels of the organization. These three stories had one thing in common--an unwavering interest in the problems that need to be solved. This problem-focused approach is the driving force for solutions.
Through sharing stories, encouraging action and sharing product innovations or blueprints for the next chapters, we can work together towards global success in creating sustainable products and solutions that power the future.
