Silicon is one of the most useful elements to mankind. Most is used to make alloys including aluminium-silicon Aluminium-Silicon Alloy Production (1935) and ferro-silicon (iron-silicon) Iron-Silicon Alloy (1930). These are used in many engineering applications.
Silicon-oxygen polymers with methyl groups attached are called silicones: Methyl silicone condensation products (1942).
Silicone oil is a lubricant and is added to some cosmetics and hair conditioners.
Silicone rubber is used as a waterproof sealant in bathrooms and around windows, pipes and roofs.
The element silicon is used extensively as a semiconductor in solid-state devices in the computer and microelectronics industries. For this, hyperpure silicon is needed Method For Producing Hyperpure Silicon (1960).
The silicon is selectively doped with tiny amounts of boron, gallium, phosphorus or arsenic to control its electrical properties.
Silicon dioxide or silica and clay (aluminium silicate) are used to make concrete and cement.
Silica is also the principal ingredient of glass Manufacture Of Silica Glass (1905), which has thousands of uses.
Silicon, as silicate, is present in pottery, enamels and high-temperature ceramics.
Silicon carbides are important abrasives Vitreous bonded silicon-carbide abrasive article (1925) and are also used in lasers Transverse electric carbon di:oxide laser – has anode made of silicon carbide (1993).
References:
All patent information has been obtained from Espacenet (European Patent Office).