Optimization and Innovation Progress of Silicone Rubber Synthesis Processes

The performance of silicone rubber largely depends on its synthesis process. In recent years, in order to meet the increasingly stringent performance requirements of silicone rubber in different industries, researchers have made many important progress in the optimization and innovation of synthesis processes.
Traditional silicone rubber synthesis processes are mainly based on the hydrolysis - polycondensation reaction of siloxane monomers. In this process, factors such as the amount of water and catalyst, reaction temperature, and time can all have a significant impact on the molecular structure and properties of silicone rubber. To improve the reaction efficiency and product quality, researchers have carried out fine - tuning of the reaction conditions. By precisely controlling the ratio of water to siloxane monomers, problems such as over - hydrolysis or incomplete polycondensation can be effectively avoided, thereby obtaining silicone rubber products with uniform molecular chain length and regular structure. Optimizing the type and amount of catalyst can accelerate the reaction rate, reduce energy consumption, and at the same time reduce the generation of by - products. For example, compared with traditional catalysts, the use of new organotin catalysts can achieve efficient catalysis under milder reaction conditions, improving the comprehensive performance of silicone rubber.
In addition to the optimization of traditional processes, new synthesis methods are also emerging continuously. Emulsion polymerization, as an innovative process, shows unique advantages in the synthesis of silicone rubber. This method uses water as the dispersion medium and disperses siloxane monomers in an emulsion system for polymerization reactions. This approach not only reduces the use of organic solvents, which is in line with the concept of green chemistry, but also can prepare silicone rubber with a special microstructure. By adjusting the formulation of the emulsion and polymerization conditions, silicone rubber emulsions with uniform particle size and controllable morphology can be obtained. After further processing, silicone rubber materials with excellent properties, such as high elasticity and high air permeability products, can be obtained, which have broad application prospects in fields such as medical and textile industries.
The hydrosilylation reaction also plays an important role in the synthesis of silicone rubber, especially in the preparation of silicone rubber with special functional groups or structures. By selecting different hydrogen - containing siloxanes and unsaturated compounds as raw materials and carrying out hydrosilylation reactions under the action of a catalyst, specific functional groups such as vinyl and amino groups can be introduced onto the silicone rubber molecular chain, thereby endowing silicone rubber with new properties. For example, the introduction of vinyl groups can enhance the cross - linking activity of silicone rubber, increase its vulcanization speed and cross - linking density, and further improve the mechanical properties of the material; the introduction of amino groups can improve the surface activity and adsorption properties of silicone rubber, making its application in the biomedical field more extensive.
In addition, in order to achieve high - performance and multi - functional silicone rubber, composite synthesis technology has gradually become a research hotspot. Combining silicone rubber with other nanomaterials, such as nano - silica and carbon nanotubes, can integrate the advantages of both and significantly improve the performance of silicone rubber. The high specific surface area and special physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials can have a strong interaction with silicone rubber molecules, enhancing the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of silicone rubber. For example, the tensile strength, wear resistance, and heat resistance of silicone rubber reinforced with nano - silica have been greatly improved, which has important application value in fields such as aerospace and automotive industries.


High Tear Strength Precipitated Type Silicone Rubber