Among the dazzling array of modern industrial products, there is a material that appears unremarkable but permeates every corner of human life with its unique properties. It can withstand the test of extreme cold and heat, as well as have intimate contact with human tissues; It can not only serve as insulation in precision instruments, but also protect the original taste of food on the coating of cooking utensils. This magical material is silicone rubber.
The birth of silicone rubber originated from a breakthrough in organic chemistry in the mid-20th century. Scientists have ingeniously combined silicon elements with organic groups to create a new type of polymer material that combines inorganic stability and organic elasticity.
Compared with traditional rubber, the molecular chains of silicone rubber are alternately arranged with silicon oxygen bonds. This special "skeleton" structure endows it with unique physical properties: in the extreme temperature range of -60 β to 250 β, it can maintain flexibility and avoid softening and deformation at high temperatures. The ability to withstand both ice and fire makes it the preferred material for many special working conditions.
The medical field is a stage for silicone rubber to showcase its capabilities. From heart catheters implanted in the human body to seals for extracorporeal circulation devices, from prosthetic limb cushions to baby bottle nipples, this material protects life and health with its excellent biocompatibility.
Experimental results have shown that silicone rubber has stable chemical properties in body fluid environments, does not release harmful substances, and its surface tension characteristics can also inhibit bacterial adhesion. Even more amazing is that by adjusting the formula ratio, researchers can precisely control the hardness and elastic modulus of silicone rubber, allowing it to provide support for artificial joints while simulating the touch of real skin.
The dependence of modern industry on silicone rubber is equally profound. In the battery pack of new energy vehicles, liquid silicone rubber serves as a sealing adhesive to protect precision circuits; The window sealing strip of high-speed trains relies on silicone rubber to achieve a perfect balance between air tightness and weather resistance;
Even the waterproof and dustproof performance of our daily smartphones cannot be separated from the contribution of silicone rubber seals. In the aerospace field, insulation tiles made of silicone rubber can withstand the ultra-high temperature generated by the friction between the return capsule and the atmosphere, and the adhesive layer of satellite solar panels requires this material to maintain stable mechanical properties in a vacuum environment.
Environmental protection and sustainable development are driving the continuous evolution of silicone rubber technology. Although traditional silicone rubber is inert, it is difficult to naturally degrade. Nowadays, researchers are exploring the introduction of hydrolyzable groups into the silicon oxygen chain to develop a new environmentally friendly silicone rubber that can decompose under specific conditions.
Some laboratories have developed photo degradable silicone rubber, whose molecular chains can undergo controlled breakage under ultraviolet irradiation, providing a new solution for the treatment of electronic waste. In addition, the technology of extracting silicon dioxide from agricultural waste such as rice husk ash to prepare silicone rubber also demonstrates a new possibility of circular economy.
Regarding the coating of silicone rubber, please refer to the details:
IOTA Coating Liquid Silicone Rubber
