1. Silicones: from silicon to material

Silicones (or polysiloxanes), molecules of man-made origin, constitute the most important branch of organosilicon derivatives. Their structure is similar to that of quartz or silicates, with the addition of organic groups. Their structure is thus based on alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, and can be modified in various ways by carbon-containing chemical functions. The simultaneous presence of organic groups linked to an inorganic skeleton gives silicones unique properties. These properties justify their use in many industrial fields.