Eco-friendly composites are proposed to substitute commonly available polymers. Currently, wood–plastic composites and natural fiber-reinforced composites are gaining growing recognition in the industry, being mostly on the thermoplastic matrix. However, little data are available about the possibility of producing biocomposites on a silicone matrix. This study focused on assessing selected organic fillers’ impact (ground coffee waste (GCW), walnut shell (WS), brewers’ spent grains (BSG), pistachio shell (PS), and chestnut (CH)) on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of silicone-based materials. Density, hardness, rebound resilience, and static tensile strength of the obtained composites were tested, as well as the effect of accelerated aging under artificial seawater conditions. The results revealed changes in the material’s properties (minimal density changes, hardness variation, overall decreasing resilience, and decreased tensile strength properties). The aging test revealed certain bioactivities of the obtained composites. The degree of material degradation was assessed on the basis of the strength characteristics and visual observation. The investigation carried out indicated the impact of the filler’s type, chemical composition, and grain size on the obtained materials’ properties and shed light on the possibility of acquiring ecological silicone-based materials.

The influence of the storage time on the useful properties (cohesion, adhesion, stickiness) of silicone pressure-sensitive tapes (Si-PSA) was investigated. Two types of silicone resins PSA 529 and PSA 590 (Momentive, USA) were used and crosslinked with bis (2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide (DClBPO). There was no significant effect of tapes long-term storage (7 years) on their properties. The tapes based on PSA 590 resin were more resistant to aging than PSA 529.

This work aims to assess the impact of the type and percentage of powdered herbs on selected properties of silicone-based composites. The matrix was an addition cross-linked platinum-cured polydimethylsiloxane. The fillers were powdered thyme and sage, which were introduced at 5, 10, and 15 wt.%. The introduced fillers differed in composition, morphology, and grain size. The grain morphology showed differences in the size and shape of the introduced fillers. The qualitative and quantitative assessment resulting from the incorporation was conducted based on tests of selected properties: density, wettability, rebound resilience, hardness, and tensile strength. The incorporation slightly affected the density and wettability of the silicone. Rebound resilience and hardness results differed depending on the filler type and fraction. However, tensile strength decreased, which may be due to the matrix’s distribution of fillers and their chemical composition. Antibacterial activity evaluation against S. aureus proved the bacteriostatic properties of the composites. Accelerated aging in PBS solution further deteriorated the mechanical properties. FTIR and DSC have demonstrated the progressive aging of the materials. In addition, the results showed an overall minimal effect of fillers on the silicone chemical backbone and melting temperature. The developed materials can be used in applications that do not require high mechanical properties.

An organosilicon polymer was developed for the release of antimicrobial drugs. The influence of the drug itraconazole (Itrax) on polymer properties such as density, hardness, rebound resilience, tensile strength, accelerated aging, structure and antifungal activity was investigated. There were slight changes in physicochemical properties and significant deterioration of mechanical ones. The evaluation of the fungicidal activity showed time-limited antifungal properties.