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The mysterious manufacturing process of silicone rubber: Do you know how it turns from sand?
Silicon rubber is an elastic material composed of silicone. As a polymer, silicone has been widely used in industry. This material is usually a non-reactive polymer composed of silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen elements. It has excellent stability and resistance to extreme environments, and can maintain its performance under high and low temperature conditions from −55 to 300°C. . There are many different types of silicone rubber, and the process of making them starts with sand. Here we’ll explore this mysterious process and how it becomes a variety of products.
The elasticity of silicone rubber makes it widely used in automobiles, electronic products, kitchen supplies and other fields.
Transition from sand to silicone
The production of silicone begins with sand, which is actually silicon dioxide (SiO2). To make silicone, silicon atoms first need to be extracted from silicon dioxide. This process usually takes place at high temperatures of up to 1800°C, heating large amounts of quartz sand. The silicon is then combined with methyl chloride and further heated to form a polymerized siloxane, known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This process is the basis of silicone rubber production and one of the most complex steps.
The process of producing silicone is amazing, building a high-tech material from sand.
When polydimethylsiloxane is synthesized, it will enter a series of processing and molding processes. Manufacturers can choose different additives, such as pigments and catalysts, depending on the intended use of the final product, which can then be processed with technologies such as injection molding, extrusion or 3D printing. These processes ensure that the properties of the silicone can be adjusted to the needs of the final product.
Curing process
Silica gel is a highly adhesive gel or liquid in its uncured state. To convert it into a solid, it must undergo curing, vulcanization, or a catalyzed chemical reaction. In the production process, it usually goes through two stages, first curing during shape manufacturing, and then going through a longer post-curing process. Silicones can be cured by a variety of systems, including platinum-catalyzed cure systems, dehydration cure systems, peroxide cure systems, or aldehyde-based cure systems. Different curing systems correspond to different product characteristics, making them more widely used in the market.
The curing process of silicone provides a feasible way to achieve diverse performance characteristics.
Special properties of silicone
Silicone rubber has excellent heat resistance and cold resistance, and its adaptable working range is −100°C to 300°C. In terms of performance, silicone rubber outperforms many organic rubbers in bending, tearing, insulating high-voltage electronics, and more. This makes silicone rubber a suitable choice for retaining its original shape and mechanical strength under severe thermal stress or sub-zero temperatures.
Widely used in industry fields
Silicone rubber is widely used in many fields, including the automotive industry, cooking, baking, food storage, textiles, electronic products, and home maintenance. Its processing and molding methods, including extrusion, injection molding and 3D printing, allow it to adapt to different market needs. In medical and daily necessities, silicone's biocompatibility and hypoallergenic properties make it the material of choice for many products.
Silicone is everywhere from high-tech equipment to everyday consumer products.
Future development and challenges
Although silicone rubber is now widely used, with the advancement of technology, future silicone products may have more novel shapes and usage methods. For example, the development of self-healing materials represents the future potential of silicone rubber. The emergence of these materials can not only extend the service life of the product, but also improve its safety and effectiveness. In addition, the demand for environmentally friendly materials is increasing day by day, and the sustainable development of silicone has also become a major challenge for future development.
It can be said that the production process of silicone rubber is a wonderful journey from sand to high-tech materials. As our understanding of materials science deepens, what unexpected innovations will appear in the future?
