the combustion of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane: ((CH3)2SiO)3 + 12 O2 → 3 SiO2 + 6 CO2 + 9 H2O Strong base degrades siloxane group, often affording siloxide salts: ((CH3)3Si)2O + 2 NaOH → 2 (CH3)3SiONa + H2O This reaction proceeds by production of silanols. Similar reactions are used industrially to convert cyclic siloxanes to linear polymers. Uses Polysiloxanes (silicones), upon combustion in an inert atmosphere, generally undergo pyrolysis to form silicon oxycarbide or silicon carbide (SiC). By exploiting this reaction, polysiloxanes have been used as preceramic polymers in various processes including additive manufacturing. Polyvinyl siloxane (vinyl polysiloxane) is used to make dental impressions and industrial impressions. The use of a poly-siloxane precursor in polymer derived ceramics allows the formation of ceramic bodies with complex shapes, although the significant shrinkage in pyrolysis needs to be taken into account. Cyclomethicones Cyclomethicones are a group of methyl siloxanes, a class of liquid silicones (cyclic polydimethylsiloxane polymers) that possess the characteristics of low viscosity and high volatility as well as being skin emollients and in certain circumstances useful cleaning solvents. Unlike dimethicones, which are linear siloxanes that do not evaporate, cyclomethicones are cyclic: both groups consist of a backbone of [(CH3)2SiO]n. They are used in many cosmetic products including deodorants and antiperspirants which need to coat the skin but not remain tacky afterward. Dow is a major producer of cyclomethicones. Cyclomethicones, like all siloxanes, degrade by hydrolysis, producing silanols. These silanols are produced at such low levels that they do not interfere with hydrolytic enzymes. Even though some cyclomethicones structurally resemble crown ethers, they bind metal ions only weakly. Nomenclature The word siloxane is derived from the words silicon, oxygen, and alkane. In some cases, siloxane materials are composed of several different types of siloxane groups; these are labeled according to the number of Si−O bonds: M-units: (CH3)3SiO0.5, D-units: (CH3)2SiO, T-units: (CH3)SiO1.5. Safety and environmental considerations Because silicones are heavily used in biomedical and cosmetic applications, their toxicology has been intensively examined. "The inertness of silicones toward warmblooded animals has been demonstrated in a number of tests." With an LD50 in rats of >50 g/kg, they are virtually nontoxic. Questions remain however about chronic toxicity or the consequences of bioaccumulation since siloxanes can be long-lived. Findings about bioaccumulation have been largely based on laboratory studies. Field studies of bioaccumulation have not reached consensus. "Even if the concentrations of siloxanes we have found in fish are high