Silicone rubber has recently become a very popular material. He is absolutely harmless. Products made from 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.
Getting
How is silicone heat-resistant rubber made ? It is made by vulcanizing mixtures containing rubber. As other components in such compositions, 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. The most commonly cured substances are organic peroxides.
In the process of manufacturing such a material, a silicone elastomer is formed, which has many positive properties. Heat-resistant rubber differs from other varieties in high quality and long service life. In many areas, such properties are simply irreplaceable. In addition, silicone rubber is used in almost any temperature conditions.
In addition, the elastomer, which is formed during the vulcanization of substances, is absolutely non-toxic, and also inert to many biological processes. This quality allows the use of the material in medicine, as well as in enterprises of the food industry.
Material properties
Silicone rubber products perfectly withstand multiple temperature effects. This material can be sterilized more than once, using hot air or steam.
Silicone rubber sheet has a surface endowed with low adhesion. This allows you to use the material for the manufacture of all kinds of shafts for rolling, forms and coatings of conveyors.
Among all the qualities of silicone rubber, it is necessary to highlight its high resistance to acids, alkalis, alcohols, as well as non-toxicity, good electrical insulating characteristics, maintaining operability at a temperature of + 400 ° C and elasticity at -100 ° C. This allows the use of silicone rubber in conditions that traditional elastomers simply cannot withstand.
Quality sealant
Heat-resistant silicone rubber is widely used as sealing and other elements, as well as membranes for thermal presses. However, this is not all the areas of application of this material. Silicone rubber is often used as a seal for boiler and furnace equipment, for parts of devices where high temperature loads are noted, as well as for pump hoses. In this case, the material is simply irreplaceable.
It is also used as the main raw material for the production of gaskets that can withstand severe frost or heat. Silicone rubber is also an ideal material for the manufacture of a heat-resistant base for units that seal packages.
Medicine and pharmaceuticals
Due to its 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 is children's toys and nipples, implants, catheters, prostheses, anesthetic masks and medical probes.
All products made of heat-resistant food-grade silicone rubber differ from others in the absence of any odors, high hygiene, physiological compatibility with optical transparency. In addition, the material is simply unable to cause allergic reactions. Products are perfectly cleaned, able to repel not only water, but also dust. They are resistant to heat. 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 its unique properties. This material is used in the automotive industry. Here it is used as gaskets and seals, which allow insulating the connection of parts. Particular importance is given to their ability to withstand the effects of ultraviolet rays, antifreeze and various oils. In addition, the gaskets should have a high rate of wear resistance and increased mechanical strength.
Insulator and cable elastomers are widely used in electrical engineering. As a rule, various products are made from them, not only for domestic purposes. Silicone rubber produces cables that are used in industrial equipment, electrical appliances and power tools that operate in fairly aggressive environments.