Application of High Temperature Resistant Silicone Materials in the Automotive Industry
High temperature resistant silicone material is one of the indispensable and important materials in automobile manufacturing. It can not only optimize the automobile production process, but also improve the performance and safety of automobiles. Currently, it has been widely used in various parts of automobiles, such as airbag coatings, power transmission seals, gaskets, hoses, windshield linings, automobile engine seals, ignition wires and coil sleeves, automobile turbocharger cooling pipes, sealing and protection of automobile components, high-voltage cables and wire harnesses, etc.
Compared to traditional fuel vehicles, hybrid and pure electric vehicles add many high-voltage components such as power batteries, high-voltage distribution boxes, drive motors, motor controllers, etc., which also puts forward new requirements for automotive cables. Due to the high temperature and limited space in the engine and chassis area of the front cabin, these cables require softness, small turning radius, and good resistance to high and low temperatures; Secondly, the road conditions are complex, and the wear resistance and mechanical strength of the cables must be good; In addition, when the speed is high or low, especially in harsh working conditions such as full load climbing, the instantaneous high current requires the cable to have short-term overload capacity.
In summary, cables for new energy vehicles must have: good electrical insulation performance; Thermal stability, weather resistance; Has excellent corrosion resistance, oil resistance, hydrophobicity, and flame retardancy; Superior comprehensive mechanical performance, high flexibility and tear resistance, etc.
At present, the insulation materials for automotive power cables include cross-linked polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers. Among them, cross-linked polyolefin materials can withstand heat up to 150 ℃, but the cables of this material are relatively hard, inconvenient to install in narrow vehicle spaces, and require irradiation cross-linking. The process is complex and not suitable for large section cables. Thermoplastic elastomer materials have a heat resistance of no more than 125 ℃ and are used for power cables with low temperature ratings. In addition, cables made of thermoplastic elastomer materials may have a risk of cracking if used for a long time.
High temperature resistant silicone rubber has high and low temperature resistance, ozone resistance, weather resistance, and excellent electrical insulation properties; Silicone rubber wire has a high current carrying capacity, saves conductor cross-section, and can meet the requirements of long-term full load operation; Fire resistance requirements can be achieved by adding flame retardants; Highly flexible and easy to install in limited spaces; High tear resistant silicone rubber, capable of tearing pants up to 25N/mm. Therefore, silicone rubber materials can compensate for the shortcomings of cross-linked polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers while integrating their advantages. Moreover, silicone rubber can reduce the weight and carbon dioxide emissions of automobiles, making it a high-quality choice for automotive power cables.