There are two approaches to selecting the proper silicone fluid for an application. The fluid class can be chosen by comparing specific physical property requirements in the property profile by class chart or by comparing function and application requirements in the following table. Once the fluid class is selected, a specific grade can be determined using the information located in the linked sections.
| Function | Application | Fluid Class |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric Coolant/Fluid | Transformers, rectifiers Capacitors | Conventional |
| Magnetron | Conventional Thermal |
|
| Dielectric impregnation of porous substrate | Conventional | |
| Lubrication | Mold release | Conventional Organic Compatible Emulsion |
| Aluminum machining and extruding | Organic Compatible | |
| Die casting | Organic Compatible | |
| Ball bearing and gear lubrication | Organic Compatible Thermal Fluorosilicone |
|
| Airborne radar | Low Temperature | |
| Rubber/Plastic contact | Conventional Organic Compatible |
|
| Fiber/Plastic contact | Hydrophilic | |
| Metal/Plastic contact | Organic Compatible Thermal Fluorosilicone |
|
| Metal/Metal contact | Organic Compatible Thermal (chlorophenyl) |
|
| Grease | Conventional Thermal Fluorosilicone |
|
| Working Media | Fluid clutch | Conventional Thermal |
| Smart fluids | Conventional Organic Compatible |
|
| Hydraulic fluid | Low Temperature Conventional Thermal |
|
| Brake fluid | Conventional (intermediate viscosity) | |
| Shock absorber | Conventional Thermal |
|
| General damping | Conventional Thermal Fluorosilicone |
|
| Meter damping | Conventional | |
| Timing devices | Conventional Thermal |
|
| Magnetic amplifier | Thermal | |
| Diffusion pump | Thermal (oligomeric) | |
| Performance Additive | Surfactant/antifoam | Conventional (low viscosity) Hydrophilic Fluorosilicone |
| Hydrocarbon compatibility | Organic Compatible | |
| Flow control | Conventional (low viscosity) | |
| Wetting | Hydrophilic | |
| Radiation resistance | Thermal | |
| Acoustical | Sonobuoy | Conventional (reduced volatility) |
| Sound coupling/lensing | Fluorosilicone | |
| Optical | Optical Coupling Fluid | Thermal |
| Anti-fog agent | Hydrophilic | |
| Gloss enhancement | Conventional (low-intermediate viscosity) | |
| Heat Transfer | Heat treatment bath | Thermal |
| Constant temperature bath | Conventional (intermediate viscosity) Thermal |
|
| Temperature measurement device | Conventional (intermediate viscosity) Thermal Fluorosilicone |
|
| Closed loop heating | Thermal | |
| Refrigerated systems | Low Temperature |