Silicone rubber: production, properties and applications

Silicone rubber has recently become a very popular material. It is absolutely harmless. Products made of silicone rubber are resistant to many chemicals. This makes the material unique. After all, it is able to withstand the effects of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, various solutions of alkalis and acids, mineral oils, phenols and alcohols.

Receiving

How is rubber made silicone heat resistant? It is made by vulcanizing mixtures containing rubber in the composition. As other components in such formulations, silicon oxides are used, for example, white carbon black, aerosil and so on. In addition, technological and other fillers are usually added to the mixture. Most often, such substances as organic peroxides are to be vulcanized.

In the process of manufacturing such a material, a silicone elastomer is formed, which has many positive properties. Heat resistant rubber is different from other varieties of high quality and long life. In many areas, such properties are simply irreplaceable. In addition, silicone rubber is used in almost all temperature conditions.

In addition, the elastomer that is formed during the vulcanization of substances is absolutely non-toxic, and is also inert towards many biological processes. This quality makes it possible to apply the material in medicine, as well as in the food industry.

Material properties

Products made of silicone rubber perfectly withstand multiple temperature effects. This material can be sterilized more than once, using hot air or steam.

Rubber silicone sheet has a surface endowed with low adhesion. This allows the material to be used to make all kinds of rolls for rolling, forms and coatings of conveyors.

Among all the qualities of silicone rubber, its high resistance to acids, alkalis, alcohols, as well as non-toxicity, good electrical insulation characteristics, preservation of operability at a temperature of + 400 ° C and elasticity at -100 ° C. This allows the use of silicone rubber under conditions that traditional elastomers simply can not stand.

Quality Sealant

Heat-resistant silicone rubber has found wide application as sealing and other elements, as well as membranes for thermo-presses. However, this is not all the scope of this material. Silicone rubber is often used as a seal for boiler and furnace equipment, for parts of appliances where high temperature loads are noted, as well as for pump hoses. In this case, the material is simply indispensable.

Also, it is used as the main raw material for the production of gaskets that can withstand severe frost or heat. Also, silicone rubber is an ideal material for the manufacture of a thermally stable base for aggregates that seal bags.

Medicine and pharmaceutics

Thanks to absolute safety and excellent mechanical properties, silicone rubber is used in medicine and pharmaceuticals to create children's and hygiene products. After all, this material is made without the addition of plasticizers, stabilizers and other harmful additives. An example in this case can serve as children's toys and nipples, implants, catheters, prostheses, anesthetic masks and medical probes.

All products made of heat-resistant food silicone rubber differ from others in the absence of any odors, high hygiene, physiological compatibility with optical transparency. In addition, the material is simply incapable of causing allergic reactions. Products are perfectly cleaned, able to repel not only water, but dust. They are resistant to thermal stress. This allows you to repeatedly sterilize them with hot steam or boiling water.

Other applications

Silicone rubber is used in industrial production. And all thanks to their unique properties. This material is used in the automotive industry. Here it is used as gaskets and seals, which allow to isolate the connection of parts. Particular importance is attached to their ability to withstand the effects of ultraviolet rays, antifreezes and various oils. In addition, the gaskets must have a high level of wear resistance and increased mechanical strength.

Insulating and cable elastomers are widely used in electrical engineering. As a rule, they make all kinds of products not only for household purposes. Silicone rubber produces cables that are used in industrial equipment, electrical appliances and power tools that operate in a sufficiently aggressive environment.