Silicone is a highly active adsorbent material mainly composed of silicon dioxide (SiO ₂), which is non-toxic, odorless, and chemically stable. It is widely used in various fields such as desiccants, food contact, medical implants, and electronic seals. According to their different uses and forms, silicone can be divided into inorganic silicone and organic silicone (i.e. silicone rubber), which have essential differences in composition, properties, and application scenarios.
1、 Classification and core differences of silicone gel
1. Inorganic silica gel
Chemical essence: Amorphous silica, with the molecular formula mSiO ₂ · nH ₂ O, belongs to inorganic porous materials.

Physical characteristics:
Appearance: transparent or milky white particles with highly open microporous structure;
Strong moisture absorption ability, with a water absorption capacity of up to 40% -50% of its own weight;
Insoluble in water and most solvents, resistant to high temperatures (up to 250 ℃).

Common uses:
As a desiccant used for food packaging, drug moisture prevention, and electronic product moisture prevention;
Color changing silicone gel (containing cobalt chloride) can visually display the moisture absorption state, with blue turning red indicating saturation;
Industrial applications such as catalyst carriers and chromatographic analysis fillers.