Amid the global wave of transitioning toward a clean energy structure, new energy vehicles (NEVs) and large-scale energy storage systems are reshaping human life at an unprecedented pace. However, accompanied by high energy density comes the fatal hazard of battery thermal runaway, often referred to as "battery cancer." When faced with extreme high temperatures and short-circuit risks, traditional passive fireproofing materials often fall short. In this battle concerning life and property safety, silicone oil and its derivative materials are leveraging their outstanding thermal stability and flame-retardant mechanisms to transform from mere "heat dissipation media" into "active defense systems" for the new energy era.

1. The "Thermal-Fire Integrated Shield" of Immersion Liquid Cooling

During fast charging of NEVs and in large-scale energy storage stations, the immense heat generated instantaneously by batteries can easily trigger a chain reaction of explosions if not dissipated promptly. Immersion coolants, represented by modified silicone oils, have become "essential materials" for handling extreme operating conditions, thanks to their exceptionally high flash points (reaching approximately 220°C) and superior electrical insulation.

More disruptively, silicone oil is not only responsible for "heat dissipation" but also possesses "firefighting" capabilities. In extreme testing, even when subjected to a 600°C blowtorch flame, silicone oil remains highly resistant to ignition. When a battery cell undergoes thermal runaway, the silicone oil rapidly absorbs the heat, forming a triple barrier of "cell—coolant—casing." This achieves the highest safety level: no fire, no smoke, and no explosion. This "thermal-fire integrated" design nips fire hazards in the bud.

2. The "Ceramic Armor" for Busbar Protection

In the "three-electric" system of NEVs (battery, motor, and electronic control), busbars responsible for current distribution serve as the hub ensuring the overall operational efficiency of the vehicle. However, if a battery pack experiences thermal runaway, the instantaneous spike in extreme heat can easily cause a busbar short circuit, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Fire-resistant silicone rubber materials, specifically developed for electric vehicles, demonstrate astonishing "active suppression" capabilities here. When exposed to extreme combustion temperatures of up to 1000°C, this silicone rubber rapidly undergoes a ceramification reaction, generating a hard silicon dioxide (silica) protective layer on the surface of the busbar. This "ceramic armor" not only effectively blocks the spread of flames but also maintains excellent electrical insulation properties at high temperatures, providing passengers with precious time to evacuate.

3. The "Free-Radical Catcher" for Intelligent Flame Retardancy

Beyond physical protection, silicone oil has achieved a leap from "passive defense" to "active offense" at the chemical level. Traditional flame-retardant materials can often only delay the speed of combustion, whereas innovative organosilicon flame-retardant technology introduces a "free-radical capture mechanism."

When a battery experiences thermal runaway, the modified organosilicon decomposes at high temperatures to release active intermediates capable of capturing free radicals, precisely severing the chain reaction of combustion. Simultaneously, it automatically releases flame-retardant gases upon reaching a critical temperature, reducing the propagation speed of thermal runaway by more than 70%.

From immersion coolants that carry away lethal high temperatures, to fire-resistant armor that ceramifies under extreme heat, to intelligent flame retardants that sever combustion chains, silicone oil is fortifying the most solid safety baseline for the rapid, surging advancement of the new energy industry through its multi-dimensional active defense capabilities.