Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber was first developed in the 1940s as a synthetic elastomer with unique thermal stability and flexibility. Advances in polymer chemistry have since enhanced its properties, leading to high-performance grades (HTV, LSR, RTV) for specialized industries. Today, it is a critical material in medical, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods.  

Silica rubber, as a highly active adsorption material, its development and application mainly revolve around the following core areas:

Innovation in basic materials

Silica rubber,  with the molecular formula mSiO₂·nH₂O, features an amorphous structure, high adsorption capacity and thermal stability. It is widely used in fields such as gas drying, liquid dehydration and chromatographic analysis. Its production involves the reaction of water glass with acid to form hydrated silicic acid gel, which is then washed and dried. The moisture absorption of some products can reach 40% to 300%. ‌

Silica rubber, which exists in its granular, glassy or porous form, is obtained by synthesizing sodium silicate. This material not only has excellent adsorption performance, but also possesses good thermal stability and stable chemical properties. Meanwhile, its mechanical strength is also quite high. For this reason, silicone rubber has been widely applied in the field of product design.

Silicone rubber characteristics

Silicone rubber materials are widely used in product design due to their porous, glassy or granular form, as well as excellent thermal stability and chemical properties. To meet the specific functional requirements of different products, silicone rubber materials are even modified to develop properties such as luminous, negative ion, and color-changing.

Modified silicone rubber, such as luminous and negative ion silicone rubber, enhances the functionality of silicone rubber, making it suitable for a wider range of product designs. The application of these special silicones has further expanded their usage range.

Application of silicone rubber:

1.Silicone rubber materials play a crucial role in the design of electronic products and household items. Its unique physical and chemical properties make silicone rubber an indispensable component in the design of these products. Silicone rubber provides sealing and insulation functions in electronic products, and is resistant to high temperatures and wear, offering all-round protection for electronic products.
Whether used for sealing and insulation in electronic products or for comfort and durability in household items, silicone rubber has demonstrated its outstanding performance.
2.Silicone rubber is used in home design, emphasizing comfort and durability, and improving the hand feel of products. Silicone rubber is used in home design, emphasizing comfort and durability, and improving the hand feel of products. Next, we will delve into the application characteristics and advantages of silicone rubber in these design fields.

 Applications 
- **Automotive**: Seals, gaskets, vibration dampers (heat-resistant up to **250°C+**).  
- **Medical**: Implants, tubing, seals (biocompatible & sterilizable).  
- **Electronics**: Keypads, connectors, insulation (dielectric properties).  
- **Consumer Goods**: Kitchenware, baby products (food-safe, non-toxic).  
- **Industrial**: HVAC seals, coatings (weather/UV resistant).  

Features and Advantages

Silicone rubber plays a crucial role in the design of electronic products. Its excellent sealing and insulation properties enable electronic products to operate more safely and stably. The plasticity and elasticity of silicone rubber make it suitable for complex shape designs and conducive to comprehensive protection of electronic products.
Meanwhile, the wear resistance and high-temperature resistance of silicone rubber also bring great convenience to its application in the design of electronic products. Whether it is daily necessities such as mobile phones and computers, or high-end fields like automobiles and aerospace, silicone rubber has demonstrated its indispensable position. In addition, the application of silicone rubber  in the design of electronic products is also reflected in many other aspects. Its soft and elastic properties enable silicone rubber to easily adapt to various complex shapes, providing all-round protection for electronic products.

The environmentally friendly properties of silicone rubber help reduce the impact of electronic products on the environment and have broad application prospects. Meanwhile, the environmental performance of silicone rubber has increasingly drawn people's attention, and silicone rubber plays a positive role in reducing the impact of electronic products on the environment.

With the continuous advancement of technology, the application of silicone rubber in the design of electronic products will become more widespread, bringing more convenience and safety to our lives.

Silicone rubber material has excellent plasticity and can be easily shaped into various unique forms through melting. Silicone rubber is easy to color, not prone to deformation, durable and non-toxic to the human body, making it suitable for manufacturing products that come into contact with the human body. As silicone rubber is an organic compound, it can imitate the forms of organic substances such as coral and turtle, presenting a natural beauty. Silicone rubber material is easy to color, which enables the jewelry produced to have a rich variety of color changes, meeting the needs of different consumers.

Silicone rubber advantages Over Conventional Rubbers  
Extreme Temperature Resistance (–60°C to 300°C).  
Superior Durability – Resists ozone, UV, and chemicals.  
Flexibility & Elasticity – Maintains properties over time.  
Biocompatibility – FDA & ISO 10993 compliant for medical use.  
Electrical Insulation – Ideal for high-voltage applications.  

Manufacturing Process of silicone rubber 
Silicone rubber products are manufactured through various processes such as plasticizing and molding to ensure product quality and precision. In addition, the production process of silicone rubber involves multiple steps such as plasticizing, mixing, calendering, extrusion, molding and vulcanization, while the common molding processes for silicone rubber products include compression molding, extrusion, injection molding and spray molding, among others. During the manufacturing process, technologies such as laser cutting, gaskets, bonding and self-adhesive are also employed to ensure the accuracy and quality of the products.

- **Compounding**: Base silicone polymer mixed with fillers (SiO₂) and curing agents.  
- **Molding**:  
- **LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber)**: Injection-molded for precision parts.  

- **HTV (High-Temperature Vulcanizing)**: Compression/transfer molded.  

- **RTV (Room-Temperature Vulcanizing)**: Cures at ambient temp (sealants/adhesives).  
- **Post-Curing**: Enhances mechanical properties via heat treatment.  
**Future Trends**: Eco-friendly formulations, self-healing silicone, and smart elastomers for wearable tech.