Silicone Products Types And Categories Introduction

Silicone products can be classified based on different properties and usage functions. The classification includes silicone product types, silicone property classification, and silicone usage classification.

1. Silicone Product Types

1.1 Compression Molded Silicone

Compression molded silicone products are typically formed by placing solid silicone raw materials with added curing agents into high-temperature molds and applying pressure through a vulcanization machine. The hardness of compression molded silicone usually ranges from 30°C to 70°C. This type is widely used in the silicone industry, producing industrial components, buttons, silicone gifts, silicone wristbands, silicone watches, key cases, phone cases, silicone kitchenware, silicone pads, ice molds, cake molds, and more.

1.2 Extruded Silicone

Extruded silicone products are shaped by extrusion machines, resulting in a generally elongated or tubular form that can be easily cut. This type is commonly used in medical instruments and food machinery.

1.3 Liquid Silicone

Liquid silicone products are created through injection molding of liquid silicone. With a soft texture, the hardness can range from 10°C to 70°C. Liquid silicone is widely applied in silk screen printing on textiles, simulation human organs, medical silicone breast pads, and various other applications.

1.4 Specialized Products

Specialized silicone products are tailored based on the chemical properties of silicone or the addition of specific auxiliary materials. They can exhibit high-temperature resistance (up to 330 degrees), food-grade quality (compliant with FDA, LFGB standards), medical-grade quality, flame resistance, and additional features like luminescence, negative ions, color-changing, etc.

2. Silicone Property Classification

2.1 Inorganic Silicone

Inorganic silicone is a highly active adsorbent material, typically produced through the reaction of sodium silicate and sulfuric acid, followed by aging and acidification processes. It is non-crystalline, insoluble in water and any solvents, non-toxic, odorless, chemically stable, and possesses high adsorption performance. Different types of inorganic silicone have varied pore structures, making them suitable for applications like desiccants, humidity regulators, and catalyst carriers in various industries.

2.2 Organic Silicone

Organic silicone refers to silicone compounds containing Si-C bonds, with at least one organic group directly connected to silicon atoms. Polydimethylsiloxane, formed by silicon-oxygen-silicon (Si-O-Si) bonds, is the most common and extensively researched type, constituting over 90% of total usage.

3. Silicone Product Classification

3.1 High-Temperature Vulcanized Silicone (HTV)

HTV silicone requires heating during the curing process. Vulcanization is facilitated by organic peroxides or platinum catalysts, with the addition of reinforcing fillers to achieve the required mechanical strength. HTV silicone finds broad applications in industries such as automotive manufacturing, electrical engineering, high-voltage transmission, construction, machinery, equipment manufacturing, food, healthcare, and medical technology.

3.2 Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)

LSR, also a high-temperature vulcanized silicone, offers advantages in processing due to its lower viscosity and cross-linking capabilities. It is commonly used in automotive, machinery and equipment manufacturing, electrical engineering, high-voltage transmission, construction, food, healthcare, and medical technology.

3.3 Room Temperature Vulcanized Two-Component Silicone (RTV-2)

RTV-2 silicone is a two-component system that can be poured, coated, or molded. It cures into highly elastic silicone rubber after adding a curing agent. It is applicable in areas such as mold making, electronics, optoelectronics, household appliances, machinery, and industrial equipment manufacturing, healthcare applications, and the photovoltaic field.

3.4 Room Temperature Vulcanized One-Component Silicone (RTV-1)

RTV-1 silicone is a ready-to-use, room-temperature vulcanized single-component system that cures through moisture in the air. It is ideal for sealing, bonding, and coating applications across industries like automotive manufacturing, construction, household appliances, electrical and electronic fields, healthcare, medical technology, and textiles.

3.5 Organic Silicone Gel

Organic silicone gel, a type of RTV-2 silicone, features low cross-linking density, making it suitable for producing extremely soft cured rubber (Shore A hardness below A). It is commonly used as damping material in the medical field and as encapsulation material in the electrical and electronic industry.

4. Silicone Classification and Applications

4.1 Mold Making Silicone

Liquid silicone for mold making is a novel material that offers significant advantages in production efficiency and cost compared to steel molds. It finds wide applications in the toy and gift industry, replication of figures, architectural decoration, and the production of unsaturated resin crafts.

4.2 Pad Printing Silicone

Pad printing liquid silicone is used for creating pad printing heads, mainly applied in the printing of plastic toys, electroplated products, electronic toys, labels, and irregular pattern printing. The addition of silicone oil can be used to control hardness.

4.3 Electronic Potting Silicone

Electronic potting liquid silicone is primarily used for the potting of electronic products. It provides sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, heat conduction, shock resistance, and insulation properties for electronic components. Additionally, there is a type used for LED encapsulation, characterized by high transparency and refractive index.

4.4 Hand Model Silicone

Hand model liquid silicone, also known as first edition silicone, is commonly used for making hand model prototypes. Compared to clay hand models, cured liquid silicone exhibits wear resistance and strong rebound.

4.5 Silica Gel

Silica gel, commonly known as glass glue, is a type of liquid silicone. It cures into a tough solid by adding curing agents when exposed to moisture in the air. It is weather-resistant, vibration-resistant, moisture-proof, odor-resistant, and adaptable to significant temperature changes.

4.6 Clothing Label Silicone

Cured liquid silicone for clothing labels is commonly seen on garment labels. Utilizing liquid silicone for clothing labels provides advantages such as a good feel, wear resistance, and high production efficiency.

4.7 High-Temperature Silicone

High-temperature mold silicone, used for making silicone molds, can withstand temperatures between 200°C to 300°C. Silicone designed for industries like aviation and hot stamping can work for an extended period between 400°C to 1300°C without a change in performance.

4.8 Human Body Silicone

Human body silicone, characterized by low cured hardness, is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and has no adverse effects on the human body. It can be implanted inside the body and is commonly used in the production of prosthetics.

It is important to note that these classifications and applications are subject to advancements in technology, market demands, and regulatory policies, which may influence the future development of silicone products.