What is 5 cSt silicone oil used for?
A fast-spreading carrier and emollient in personal care, a low-temperature bath and dielectric fluid, an antifoam base oil, and a light release and water-repellent film. 5 cSt is the lightest non-volatile grade: fast wet-out, dry feel, minimal residue. Typical spec: 0.918 specific gravity, 135 °C open-cup flash point.
Dimethicone- ▸ Personal-care spreading carrier: base fluid for antiperspirants, lotions and hair/skin care — light, non-greasy feel with no residue
- ▸ Low-temperature bath & heat-transfer fluid: lowest viscosity that resists evaporation in open baths (service ~-70 to 150 °C)
- ▸ Dielectric / electrical insulating fluid: impregnates and cools tight windings and assemblies
- ▸ Release & light lubrication for plastic, rubber and foam parts (not for steel-on-steel)
- ▸ Antifoam base oil and water-repellent glass / lens coating
Don’t see your viscosity? We can custom-formulate silicone fluid to your target cSt — tell us your spec.
Not sure which grade? Silicone oil viscosity guide (5 to 500,000 cSt) · All silicone oils
- ▸ Safety Data Sheet (SDS) PDF · SDS
- ▸ Technical Data Sheet (TDS) PDF · TDS
- ▸ Typical Certificate of Analysis (CoA) PDF · COA
Values shown are typical for the current commercial grade. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis accompanies every shipment; the grade-specific SDS is available on request.
Mid- and high-viscosity polydimethylsiloxane fluids (>= 5 cSt) are reported as not meeting GHS hazard-classification criteria. The grade-specific SDS governs. A full SDS is supplied with every shipment and on request; hazard status is confirmed against the grade-specific SDS.
Cross-reference: comparable to XIAMETER PMX-200 Silicone Fluid 5 cSt (a Dow product): the same linear polydimethylsiloxane chemistry at the same nominal viscosity. RawSource is independent of Dow; confirm grade-critical specs against the RawSource TDS and lot CoA.
Silicone Oil 5 cSt is the lightest non-volatile linear PDMS (dimethicone) grade. Its low molecular weight and low surface tension give fast spreading, easy wet-out and a light, dry, non-greasy feel, which makes it the workhorse thin-film carrier: a spreading agent in personal care, a low-temperature bath and dielectric fluid, an antifoam base oil, and a light release and water-repellent film for plastics and glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is silicone oil 5 cSt used for?
5 cSt silicone oil (dimethicone / PDMS) is the lightest non-volatile grade: a fast-spreading carrier and emollient in personal care, a low-temperature bath and dielectric fluid, an antifoam base oil, and a light release and water-repellent film for plastics and glass. It wets out fast and leaves a dry, non-greasy feel.
Is 5 cSt silicone oil the same as dimethicone or PDMS?
Yes. Silicone oil, silicone fluid, dimethicone and PDMS all name the same linear polydimethylsiloxane (CAS 9006-65-9) — 5 cSt is the viscosity grade, not a different chemistry. Because PDMS is a polymer, properties are reported per grade rather than as one fixed molecular weight.
Is 5 cSt silicone oil flammable?
No. The 5 cSt grade has an open-cup flash point of about 135 °C — above the 93 °C GHS flammable-liquid ceiling — and PDMS grades of 5 cSt and up are reported as not GHS-classified. Grades below 5 cSt are a different story; those are flammable. The grade-specific SDS ships with every order.
What is the CAS number for silicone oil 5 cSt?
Silicone oil 5 cSt carries CAS 9006-65-9, with repeating-unit formula (C2H6OSi)n; some manufacturers list the equivalent trimethylsiloxy-terminated PDMS under CAS 63148-62-9. The cSt figure is the viscosity grade, not a separate substance — all dimethicone grades share the same CAS registry.
What packaging is 5 cSt silicone oil supplied in?
Bulk only: 55-gallon drums, 275-gallon IBC totes, and 5-gallon pails, with pallet and full-truck quantities quoted on request. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis accompanies every shipment; the grade SDS is available on request. Submit an RFQ with your target volume and packaging.