Silicone gel is a highly active adsorption material with a wide range of uses and excellent performance. Its main component is silicon dioxide (SiO₂·nH₂O), which has chemical stability and environmental protection characteristics. It is insoluble in water and any solvents, non-toxic and odorless. It is one of the indispensable materials in modern industry and life.
Origin and development of silicone gel
The invention of silicone gel can be traced back to 1919, and was first created by American chemistry professor Walter A. Patrick. During World War I, it was used as an absorbent in gas masks, demonstrating its excellent adsorption capacity and durability.
Core characteristics of silicone gel
Strong adsorption performance
Silicone gel has a developed microporous structure inside, which can efficiently absorb moisture, gas and other chemicals, and is widely used in desiccants, adsorbents and other fields.
Chemical stability
Except for strong alkalis and hydrofluoric acid, silicone gel hardly reacts with other chemicals, which makes it an ideal material for various industrial applications.
Good thermal stability
Silicone gel can still maintain its performance in high temperature environments, especially suitable for scenes with high heat resistance requirements.
High mechanical strength
Silicone gel materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties under conditions such as tension, tearing and compression, and can meet various processing requirements.
Analysis of the physical properties of silicone gel
Viscosity
Silicone gel has excellent anti-flow properties, and its viscosity is usually proportional to the hardness. Different application requirements can be achieved by adjusting the process.
Hardness
The hardness of silicone rubber ranges from 10 to 80 Shores, providing designers with flexible options. The hardness can be easily customized to meet special needs by adjusting the formula ratio and vulcanization conditions.
Tensile strength and tear strength
Silicone rubber materials have very high tensile strength and tear strength, and can maintain integrity even under stress, especially suitable for products that require high strength and toughness.
Elongation
The elongation of silicone rubber can be adjusted according to temperature and processing methods, and its ultimate elongation at break is as high as 1120%, achieving an ideal balance between elasticity and toughness.
Vulcanization time and operation time
Vulcanization is an important process in the molding of silicone rubber products. Reasonable arrangement of operation time and vulcanization time can ensure the quality and performance of the product, especially in the field of mold manufacturing.
Diverse applications of silicone gel
Industrial field
Used in the manufacture of seals, insulating materials for electronic devices, thermally conductive silicone sheets, medical devices, etc.
Consumer products
Used in kitchen products (such as silicone molds), children's products (such as silicone teethers), beauty care (such as silicone scar stickers), etc.
Special uses
Silicone gel also plays an important role in the fields of aerospace, automobile manufacturing and new energy, providing equipment with high temperature resistance and anti-aging protection.