In the vast expanse of materials science, silicone rubber shines with a unique brilliance due to its unique properties. It is neither a simple substitute for natural rubber nor an extension of ordinary synthetic rubber, but a polymer with silicon oxygen bonds as the main chain and organic groups as the side chains. This special chemical structure endows it with excellent properties far beyond traditional rubber.

The birth of silicone rubber can be traced back to the 1940s, when scientists attempted to find a material that could maintain elasticity at extreme temperatures. After repeated experiments, they found that alternately connecting silicon atoms with oxygen atoms to form a main chain, and introducing organic groups such as methyl and vinyl as side chains, can produce a new type of polymer that combines the high temperature resistance of inorganic materials with the flexibility of organic materials. This material can maintain stable elasticity in a wide temperature range of -60 ° C to 250 ° C, far exceeding the working range of natural rubber from -50 ° C to 80 ° C. Even at ultra-low temperatures of -100 ° C, it will not become brittle and can maintain basic properties at high temperatures of 300 ° C.

This "fearless" characteristic of silicone rubber has made it shine in the aerospace industry. Rocket engine nozzles need to withstand thousands of degrees of high temperature during fuel combustion, while also withstanding severe mechanical vibrations; Satellite antennas need to withstand the alternating impact of extreme cold of -170 ℃ and high temperature caused by solar radiation in space environments - the sealing rings and shock-absorbing gaskets made of silicone rubber are reliable guardians in these extreme environments. In the automotive industry, silicone rubber also plays a key role: the wiring harness sheath in the engine compartment needs to withstand continuous high temperatures of over 150 ℃, the turbocharger pipeline needs to withstand the impact of high-temperature exhaust gas, and the seals and conduits made of silicone rubber, with their characteristics of high temperature resistance, aging resistance, and oil leakage resistance, have become important guarantees for improving the reliability of automobiles.

But the 'magic' of silicone rubber goes far beyond that. Its surface energy is extremely low, and the contact angle of water on the surface can reach over 110 °. This "hydrophobic property" makes it an ideal material in the medical field - artificial heart valves, catheters, baby pacifiers and other products utilize the biocompatibility and non-toxic properties of silicone rubber, which can be used in the human body for a long time without causing rejection reactions. In the field of electronics and electrical appliances, the insulation performance of silicone rubber is particularly outstanding: its volume resistivity can reach over 10 ¹⁴Ω· cm, the dielectric strength can reach up to 20kV/mm, and coupled with good arc resistance and leakage tracing resistance, it has become the preferred material for high-voltage electrical insulators; The research and development of conductive silicone rubber has opened up a new Xintiandi in the fields of flexible electronic skin, wearable device electrodes, etc.

In modern life, the presence of silicone rubber is almost ubiquitous. The high-temperature resistant silicone spatula in the kitchen can stir fry in a 250 ℃ oil pan without releasing harmful substances like traditional plastic spatulas; In beauty equipment, the soft brush head of the silicone facial cleanser can deeply clean without damaging the skin; In the field of architecture, silicone rubber sealant forms a durable and weather resistant sealing layer in curtain walls and insulated glass, resisting ultraviolet rays, acid rain, and temperature changes. Even in artistic creation, silicone rubber exhibits unique charm - sculptors use it to create elastic reliefs that can be permanently preserved, and special effects makeup artists use it to create realistic scar props.

Regarding liquid silicone rubber, please refer to our website for details: IOTA Liquid Silicone Rubber