Rubber Silica, commonly referred to as Silicone Rubber, is a rubber material with unique properties and a wide range of applications. The backbone of silicone rubber consists of a long chain of silicon and oxygen atoms alternately arranged, with organic side groups such as methyl, ethyl, and phenyl attached to the silicon atoms. This structure provides silicone rubber with numerous advantages in performance, making it an indispensable material in various industrial fields.
Unique Properties of Silicone Rubber
The main component of silicone rubber, siloxane, is an inert molecule with excellent chemical and thermal stability, durability, hydrophobicity, and low surface tension. These properties enable silicone rubber to maintain stable performance during long-term use and to be resistant to external environmental influences. Additionally, silicone rubber exhibits good biocompatibility and plasticity, making it an important material in the medical field. For instance, silicone rubber is widely used in the manufacture of various molds, prosthetics, heart valves, blood oxygenators, renal dialysis components, and other medical devices.
Applications of Silicone Rubber in the Medical Field
Silicone rubber has been applied in the medical field for over 70 years. Due to its excellent biocompatibility and plasticity, silicone rubber has become an ideal material for manufacturing medical devices. Since the 1950s, silicone rubber has been used in the production of medical products such as hydrocephalus shunt devices. Today, silicone rubber is widely used in various medical devices, including intravenous drug injection and blood transfusion systems, respirators, ventilation masks, breathing tubes, catheters, and more. The low cytotoxicity and good blood compatibility of silicone rubber make it an ideal choice for contact with human tissues.
Industrial Applications of Silicone Rubber
Apart from the medical field, silicone rubber is also widely used in other industrial sectors. The high temperature resistance, low temperature resistance, chemical resistance, radiation resistance, and wear resistance of silicone rubber make it the preferred material in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, petrochemicals, and wire and cable industries. Especially in wire and cable manufacturing, silicone rubber, as an insulating material, can significantly improve the high-temperature resistance and electrical performance of cables. Silicone rubber wires and cables have a high temperature resistance up to 180°C and a low temperature resistance down to around -65°C. Their smooth skin and flexible wire quality make them suitable for use inside products with high heat generation.
Research Progress in Silicone Rubber
In recent years, new advancements have been made in the research and application of silicone rubber. By adding additives such as aluminum hydroxide, clay, and glass fibers, the flame resistance and electrical surface discharge performance of silicone rubber can be significantly enhanced, making it more suitable for electrical insulation applications. Furthermore, based on the micro-nano hybridization structure of carbon nanotube whiskers and alumina, thermally conductive insulating silicone rubber composites can be constructed. This material exhibits great potential in heat dissipation for microelectronic chips. At the same time, by preparing robust superhydrophobic surfaces on silicone rubber substrates, new materials with high durability and specific surface properties can be developed, suitable for applications requiring high waterproof performance and wear resistance.
Conclusion
Rubber Silica, or silicone rubber, with its unique structure and properties, demonstrates a wide range of application prospects in multiple fields. From medical devices in the medical field to wire and cable, aerospace components in the industrial field, silicone rubber plays an irreplaceable role. With continuous in-depth research and technological advancements, the performance and application fields of silicone rubber will continue to expand, making greater contributions to the development of human society.