titanium dioxide production

Two Titanium Dioxide Production Processes: Sulfate And Chlorination

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Titanium dioxide is an important pigment widely applied in different industries, such as ink, coatings,masterbacth, PVC, paper, and cosmetics. knowing the titanium dioxide production process is key to understand the complex and accuracy in the production of titanium dioxide. We will get idea of different steps of process needed in the production. By understanding this process, we can better value the importance of titanium dioxide in various applications.

Two Production processes of Titanium Dioxide

There are two different production process of titanium dioxide, which are the production process of chloride method and the production process of sulfuric acid method.By sulfuric acid process, titanium powder will be reacted with concentrated sulfuric acid to get titanium sulfate. With hydrolyzation, metatitanic acid can be generated. Then with calcination and crushing, titanium dioxide can be obtained. Both Rutile and Anatase titanium dioxide can be produced in this way.

There are several advantages by sulfuric acid process. Its raw material is ilmenite and sulfuric acid, and they are easy to get. Its production technology is relatively mature which requires simple equipment.Also its anti-corrosion materials are easy to handle. But sulfate process also has some disadvantages. Its production process is long and can only be operated intermittently. It is by wet method operation which costs high consumption of water and sulfuric acid. There are various wastes by-products which may lead to pollution to the enviroment.

By chlorination process, rutile or high-titanium slag powder are mixed with coke. And titanium tetrachloride can be produced by high-temperature chlorination. With  oxidization at high temperature, titanium dioxide can be obtained after filtering, washing, drying and crushing. And only rutile type titanium dioxide can be produced by chloride process.

Chlorination process also has advantages. Its production process is short, continuous automation is high, the production capacity can beexpand easily, and its energy consumption is much lower. Three wastes are lower,  but higher quality products can be produced. But it also has some disadvantages. It requires high investment, complex equipment, higher quality raw materials. Its material also needs good resistant to high temperature and corrosion. The maintenance of the device and R&D is difficult.

Titanium dioxide

Titanium Dioxide by Sulfate Process

The sulfate process is mainly grouped into five steps: preparation of titnaium ore or titanium slag; preparation of titanium sulfate; preparation of hydrated titanium dioxide; calcination of hydrated titanium dioxide; after-treatment of titanium dioxide.

The above five steps includes following segments: drying, magnetic separation and grinding, acid hydrolysis, purification, concentration, crystallization and hydrolysis, water washing, bleaching and washing after bleaching, salt treatment, calcination,  dispersion and classification of titanium dioxide, inorganic surface treatment, water washing, drying, airflow crushing and organic treatment, packaging, recycling, by-products treatment and utilization. Various types of titanium dixoide such as anatase, rutile, and enamel type can be obtained through the sulfuric process.

Main segments in sulfate process production process

Acid hydrolysis. The titanium slag or dryilmenite is acidolyzed with concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature of 150-180°C.The higher dilution of sulfuric acid is used when the ilmenite has lower titanium content. 85% of sulfuric acid concentration is suitable for treatment of rock ore; while 91-92% of sulfuric acid concentration is suitable for treatment of titanium slag. In the acidolysis process, ferric iron needs to be turned into ferrous iron.

Ferric iron is easy to be adsorbed on the surface of titanium dioxide particles, which will lead to the lower whiteness titanium dioxide.So it is quite important to maintain iron in a divalent form in the production process. Also the acid hydrolysis will produce the most of the air pollution. During the reaction, a big amount of acid mist, sulfur oxides, and unreacted raw material particles are produced in a short time.

Sedimentation and filtration. The cooled acidolysis solution, solid inert substances and unreacted raw material residue solution will be transfered from thebottom of acidolysis tank into the settling tank. Itspurpose is to remove soluble residues caused by titanium ore impurities.

These residues may include zircon,sulphate,  silica, rutile or leucolite. By adding starch, casein, or other organic flocculants, the liquid settles in the settling tank with simple gravity decomposition. First the solid matter is removed from the tank. Then raw materials will be recovered with washing of waste acid. Also the residual liquid will be washed by water. With fine filtering, the residual particles will be removed from settled titanium solution. These residues and other solids collected in the settling tank will be delivered to the storage yard.

Hydrolysis.Water-insoluble hydrated titanium dioxide precipitate or metatitanic acidcan be obtained with the hydrolyzation of soluble titanyl sulfate at 90°C. To getqualified hydrolyzed products at required particle size,the heating rate, ferrous ions content, tetravalent titanium ion content and other factors of titanium liquid need to be strictly controlled. The control of ferric ions is the key in this process. During rehydrolysis,crystal seeds is necessary to be added to control the hydrolysis rate, the filtration and washing performance. This can make the final product with better fineness and other quality indicators.

Seeds can be added in two ways: self-seeding and external seeding. The self-seeded crystal added during the carry out of the hydrolysis process and no additional preparation of the crystal seed is required. External crystal seed is to add rutile or anatase seed crystals to the titanium solution. Adsorbed iron and other metals can be removed under acid-leached with sulfuric acid after the hydrolyzed sediment slurry is filtered and washed. It is also referred as bleaching. This is the main step for causing waste acid in the sulfuric process.

Calcination.At 900-1250°C,the hydrated titanium dioxide is calcined. During the  calcination process, water and sulfur trioxide can be deducted. At the same time, anatase titanium dioxide can be transformed into the rutile type. Calcination can determine the particle size of the final titanium dioxide and enhance the chemical inertness. Titanium dioxide is grind into particles and then will be after-treated. In the calcination stage, some fine titanium dioxide particles are entrained with the discharge of sulfur trioxide and acid mist. This is the main source of waste gas in the sulfuric process.

After-treatment. After treatment process has following aspects:wet grinding, inorganic coating, drying, jet milling, and organic coating.

 

Different Stages In After Treatment Process

During wet grinding, titanium dioxide particles will be dispersed together with organic or inorganic dispersants. The aggregated titanium dioxide particles have to be depolymerized as much as possible, which can facilitate the inorganic coating. Wet milling equipment mainly includes ball milling machine, sand mill, dense medium mill, organic ball mill, etc.

After wet grinding and depolymerization, titanium dioxide needs to be treated with inorganic coating. This can shield ultraviolet light and strengthen its weather resistance. Inorganic coating agents are aluminum oxides, silicon oxides, water and hydroxides. In recent years, zirconium has been adopted for mixed coating to achieve better gloss and weather resistance. In drying process, a belt dryer or a spray dryer is used.

After inorganic coating, jet crushing and organic coating is made. Flat airflow pulverizers are commonly used currently. Different organic coating agents are added in this process. On the one hand, organic coating can help in neutralizing the surface energy of titanium dioxide to avoid its re-agglomeration. On the other hand, it can change the physical and chemical properties of titanium dioxide, which help improving its compatibility in the paint and plastics formulation. In paint application, amines, alcoholamines, and silanes are used for organic coating. In plastics application, dimethylsilane, polyethanol, and triethanolamine are used.

titanium dioxide production

Chlorination production process of titanium dioxide

Chlorination production process of titanium dioxide are as follows:  preparation of raw ore,  preparation of titanium chloride, titanium chloride, titanium dioxide surface treatment. It includes following segments: ore coke drying, ore coke crushing, chlorination, titanium chloride refining,oxidation of titanium chloride , dispersion and classification of titanium dioxide, inorganic surface treatment, water washing, drying, air crushing and organic treatment.

Differnt Segments in the Chlorination production process

Chlorination section

Titanium ore will be added into the boiling furnace from the boiling layer with certain proportion of petroleum coke. The circulating chlorine gas back from the oxidation process will be added in from the bottom of the furnace. This reaction is carried out at 925~1010℃ in a continual process. TiO2 and oxides of iron, silicon, alum, calcium, magnesium and other metals are transformed into corresponding chlorides. They will get out of the chlorination furnace with gas. The reaction gas needs to go through the cyclone separator.

And unreacted solid dust and non-volatile chloride in the reaction gas will be separated. After cooling and condensing, the ferrous chloride is separated first, and then ferric chlorine is separated. After this, low-boiling titanium tetrachloride (containing silicon tetrachloride and alum trichloride, etc.) will be collected by using cold titanium tetrachloride spray. After mud removing, crude tetrachloride is obtained. Crude titanium tetrachloride will be made into high-purity refined titanium tetrachloride by removing low-boiling impurities such as silicon tetrachloride.

Oxidation Section

the oxidation reactor needs refined titanium tetrachloride preheate, oxygen preheated, nucleating agent and crystal transformation accelerator to react in it. The initiation temperature of the oxidation reaction is above 800 °C. The main reaction is generally processed at 1300-1800 °C. The airflow from the reactor (entraining the titanium dioxide particles generated by the reaction) is quenched with low-temperature circulating chlorine gas to below 700 ° C, and then cooled to 200 ° C through the pipeline along the way, and the titanium dioxide is gradually separated from the cyclone separator and bag collector The chlorine gas is separated, and the titanium dioxide is sent to the post-treatment process after dechlorination treatment.

Post-processing stage

The post-treatment section includes following process: beating, grinding, chemical preparation, surface treatment, filtration and washing, spray drying, micro-grinding and packaging. Following are the details.

After oxidation process , the TiO2 powder will get into the beating tank. Dispersant and desalted water are measured and put into the beating tank. The qualified slurry will go to the grinding process.

After beating, the slurry enters into sand mill’s feedtank and get redispersion. By the feed pump, the slurry gets into sand mill. It will be ground to slurry with particle size less than 1 μm. After grinding, the slurry will go to the storage thank of sand mill. It will be pumped in the classifier as per different grades. The coarse material gets back to sand mill again. The fine material gets to the surface treatment tank.

After measuring, the slurry comes into the surface treatment tank. Different surface treatment agents are added in to the slurry. After the reaction, it goes into the filtration process.

The treated slurry gets pumped into the suction tank. In the suction tank, the leaf filter is vacuum-filtered . After the film loads up, the bridge crane get up the leaf filter. It is put into desalted water for washing. After it meets the requirement, the bridge crane gets up the leaf filter and unloads the slurry in the discharge tank.

The powder will go into airflow conveying system. At the entrance of the airflow mill, a pump delivers the powder. After adding crushing aids, the powder will get crushed into an average particle size of around 0.3μm. The bag filter separates the entrained TiO2 powder. The powder cools down by the air and gets seperated by cooling cyclone. The air flows out of the bag filter and goes into the atmosphere through the big fan. After the cooling cyclone and bag filter, the Tio2 powder gets into packaging process.

The TiO2 finished product comes into the screw conveyor. And it will go into the finished product warehouse. The package of TiO2 is 25 kg/bag or 1000 kg/bag by packaging machine as per customer needs

 

The Current Capacity Situtaion For Two Processes

Chloride process of titanium dioxide is the development trend. The chlorination method and the sulfuric method will exist together for a long time. Instead of a substitute relationship, they are complementary. In china, the total capacity of Chloride titanium dioxide from China is around 40MT. And the total capacity of sulfate titanium dioxide in China is 3.3million MT. The production capacity of chloride titanium dioxide increases in recent 10 years. The producers of chloride titanium dioxide in China has increased from 1 producer to 5 producers.

 

We have stated about the two different production process and each section of the titanium dioxide production process. It provides the chemical transformations and equipment involved in different process. And you will get a clear idea about the quality control of titanium dioxide.

Linear Silicone Fluids

Basic Properties of Linear Silicone Fluids & Its Uses

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What are linear silicone fluids? 

Linear Silicone fluid compounds consist of spiral chains and can easily float and flow over one another compound. 

  • Linear silicone fluids are odorless, nontoxic, and fireproof. 
  • Linear Silicone fluids have extraordinary thermal stability. 
  • These fluids flow at the highest temperatures. 
  •  Linear silicone oils have lubricant properties. 

Molecular structure of silicone oil: 

 

Linear Silicone Fluids

Molecular Formula of Linear Silicone Fluids

The linear Silicone oil have of groups of siloxane polymers that is combined from chain of silicone and oxygen atoms. This chain is the repetition of silicone, oxygen, and carbon atoms. Linear silicone fluids have many various methyl groups, amino groups that are functional and several thousand units. For the reaction of the siloxane polymers with another mineral by replacing the methyl group with phenyl group. To integrate the siloxane polymers into several types of organic polymers add some reactive organic compounds and this process will give unique properties to this liquid as compared to organic polymers.  

Properties of linear Silicone fluids made by Hangzhou Hengyi Technology Co.,ltd 

Linear Silicone Fluids

Properties of Linear Silicone Fluids

Hangzhou Hengyi is supplying silicone fluids on large scale. This chemical company offers silicone fluids with these properties that are listed below as follows:  

  • Viscosity of Silicone fluids: The viscosity of clear silicone fluid offered    by Hangzhou Hengyi is from 50cst to 1,000,000cst.  
  • Molecular weight: The molecular weight of silicone fluid made by Hangzhou Hengyi depends on the degree of polymerization. 
  • Thermal Conductivity of Silicone Oils: Surface tension is comparatively exceptionally low, and all silicone fluid compounds of Hangzhou Hengyi have low thermal conductivity. It stays unchanged even at the elevated temperatures 
  • Waterproofing agents: Its silicone oils have excellent water resistance and that is why they are highly in demand all over the world. 
  • Damping resistance in Silicone oils: Damping resistance is strong in Hengyi silicone oils. 
  • Insulation Properties: Silicone oils of Hengyi have outstanding insulation and heat resistance properties. Silicone oils have superb di- electric properties. Silicon oils absorb moisture used in di electric breakdown. Silicone fluids are used in transformer oil. Also used as capacitors oil in electric appliances. 
  • Vapor points of Silicone fluids: The vapor points of Hengyi Silicone oils are extremely high and frozen points are all time low.  
  • Boiling Points of Silicone fluids: The working temperature range of silicone fluids is -50℃ to 200℃. 
  • Compressibility of silicone fluids: The linear silicone fluid has extraordinarily high compressibility and cannot be compressed easily during pressurization. The compressibility of silicone fluids is much higher as compared to petroleum-based heat resistant oils and mock lubricants, that’s why silicone fluids are used as damper oil. 
  • Solubility of silicone oils with other solute or solution: Silicone fluid is exceedingly soluble with these solvents that are listed below as follow: 
  • Toluene 
  • Xylene 
  • Ligroin 
  • Mineral spirits  
  • Chlorinated hydrocarbons

Silicone fluids stay insoluble in these solutions that are  

  •  Ethanol 
  • Methanol  
  •  Water  
  • Lubricity Silicone Fluids: silicone fluid has ideal lubricity properties due to its  
  • Strong viscosity 
  • Resistance at high- and low-temperature  

          Here are the lubrication applications of silicone oils are listed below as follow: 

  • wood-wood interfaces 
  • Combinations of plastics 
  • Steel-bronze  
  • Steel-aluminum 
  • Steel-zinc 
  • Silicone oil is harmless to living things: silicone fluids are harmless as they have low viscosity. Low viscosity liquids are always less harmful for humans and animals. Silicone fluids are inert, that is why it is used in skin treatment products and making foods. 
  • Silicone fluids have Radiation Resistance: Silicon fluids are used in the presence of elevated temperature of radiological appliances. The molecule of the silicone fluids has phenyl groups, and the stability of the silicone fluids radiation resistance depends on it. Silicon fluids are extensively used in radiological instruments. 
  • Resistance to Shear Stress: The shear stress resistance of Silicone oils is immensely high, and the shear degradation resistance of silicone fluids stays constant even at the high loads and speeds. As compared to minerals, shear stress does not destroy the molecules of silicone fluids and the viscosity still is changed to earlier level. 

Uses of Linear Silicone fluid: 

 Linear silicone fluids, due to their many benefits, are used in several industries. Here is the list of linear silicone fluids are listed below as follows: 

Uses of Silicone oil in Automobile Industry 

Silicone fluids are widely used in the automobile industry and industrialists take lots of benefits from it. Silicon fluids are used in clutch assemblies of electric cooling fans. Linear silicone fluids are also used in shock absorbers, dashpots oil, hydraulic fluids of planes, and for damping systems that are specially designed for maximum temperature processes. 

Use of Silicone fluids in Wood Working and Construction 

Construction and wood products are the main basic elements of our lifestyle. Silicone oil is used as silicone lubricant sprays during construction and to keep the wood tools safe for a long time. Silicone lubricants are in the form of oils used to keep the greasiness of the construction tools in elevated temperatures. Silicone lubricant oils are waterproof, nonreactive oils and never oxidize the tools. 

Use of silicone oil in Cosmetics 

Silicone oils play a key role in the cosmetics industry. Silicone oils are inactive, light transmission, ultraviolet resistance to sunlight and transparent. Its molecules have weak forces of attraction. It is skin friendly because these are non-toxic, and non-irritating oils. Cosmetic manufacturing companies use silicone oils as emulsifiers. It helps other products to combine with cosmetic products. As it has strong compatibility with other cosmetic materials. Silicone oil is used in facial masks to supply protection to the human face and save it from adverse effects of other chemical products. Linear silicone fluids luster and brighten the human skin. The most demanding products silicone oils that are used in manufacturing of skin care and hair care products are listed below as follow: 

  • Polydisiloxane 
  • Poly methyl phenyl siloxane 
  • Poly dimethyl cyclo siloxane 
  • Silicone glycol copolymer 
  •  Amine group Modified silicone oil 
  • Poly siloxane protein copolymer  
  • Methyl chloride-containing silicone oil 
  •  Emulsified silicone oil  

 

Uses of linear silicone fluids in medical industry: 

  • For the eyes treatment: 

Silicone fluids have effective use in the medical industry. During eye operations and treatment silicone fluids are used due to purity of the oil. 

  • Manufacturing of Medicine: 

 Linear Silicone oil is used in the preparation of medicine that is used in stomach diseases. Silicone oil is beneficial for human digestive system to get relief from gas. 

  • Skin Care Creams and Skin Treatment 

During the manufacturing of skin care products (skin care creams) and medicine. Silicone fluids prevents face skin from drying and creates a protective breathable layer across the face skin. For the treatment of skin diseases, for example burning parts of the body silicone oil is used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical creams. 

Uses of Silicone oil in Cooking 

As silicone oils have defoaming and anti-foaming properties. Chefs use it in a less amount while frying food to save it from foaming and splashing. It never changes the taste of the food and never creates a smell in the food. 

Use of silicone oil in Textile industry 

In the textile industry the demand for silicone oil is increasing day by day due to its effective use in manufacturing clothes. Silicone oils make the fabric softer and shiny. The linear silicone fluids used as

  • Lubricants 
  • Finishing 
  • Waterproofing 
  • Flame retardants 
  • Antistatic  

Agents in both textile and garments industry. It increases the quality and stability of clothes. The industrialists have saved fabrics for a long time with the use of silicone oils. Hangzhou Hengyi has contracted with textile industries for supplying silicone fluids in copious quantities that are used in printing, coating, and designing. 

Silicone oils used in Aircrafts and Aerospace Satellites: 

Silicone oil has anti-shear properties, that is why it is widely used in planes as hydraulic oil, lubricants, heat transfer oil and Aerospace Satellites industry. 

Silicone oils used in cooling machines: 

Silicone oil is used in cooling devices such as refrigerants. Silicone oil is also used in laboratories for heating baths. 

Uses of silicone oil in paints 

Use silicone oil while painting the walls and machinery products. This will make the paint waterproof and heat resistant. The paint will stay longer on the walls and seasonal circumstances do not affect the paints. A less quantity of silicone oil in paints will make the color shiny and attractive. It will increase the stability of the paints. 

Precautions to use silicone oil on industrial level: 

Silicone oils are used and manufactured in industries daily on a large scale. During the manufacturing of silicone oil on industrial level the workers should follow these precautions that are listed below as follow: 

  •  Avoid standing with uncovered Containers while heating: Cover the Containers and avoid overheating. Overheating builds high pressure and causes cracking of the containers. Vapors of the fluids mixed with air and make explosive material in the air. This will affect the air and taking breathe in that environment is harmful for the workers. Please keep the container tightly closed during high pressures and temperature. 
  • Do not directly use silicone fluids: Do not use silicone spray directly on flame. Keep away the fluids from sunlight, hot surfaces, and open flame. 
  • Educate your staff for the use of silicone fluids: Trained the staff first before sending him to the manufacturing environment place. Wear safe clothes before going to the production place of silicone oil. Please do not send an affected person to that place. If the person is affected, then takeout him from the manufacturing area and change his clothes. If his breathing is difficult then provide him with oxygen to breathe and recover quickly.  
  • Wear a working dress before using silicone fluids: Be dressed in breathing apparatus and suitable protective outfit. Wear Firefighter’s dress to protect yourself from this type of situation. Wear glasses to protect your eyes. Wash the working outfits after using it.  

How Hengyi Tek is important for all the Chemical Producing Industries? 

To meet the needs of your industries for silicone fluids and other chemical products you can contact Hengyi Tek that is a company supplying inorganic and organic pigments on a commercial level. Hengyi Tek chemical group is giving quality assurance to their clients. They use modern technology to produce silicone fluids and deliver them all over the world and have excellent reviews from their satisfied clients. Here I am talking about silicone fluids that are available on Hengyi Tek website with different variations. Here are some the silicone fluids products with their follow: 

  • What is use of Agricultural silicone spreading and penetrating agent? 

 Agricultural silicone spreading and penetrating agent is used to reduce the amount of pesticide and improve efficiency. 

  • What is the importance of silicone spreading and penetrating agent?

     

silicone spreading and penetrating agent is used to increase the uptake and lessen the amount of the spraying agent. 

  • Where is volatile silicone oil used? 

volatile silicone oil used volatile carrier in personal care products, air freshener and antiperspirants. 

  • What is the purpose of Silicon spreading and penetrating agent?

Silicon spreading and penetrating agent is used to lower the water surface tension. 

  • For which industry Silicone defoamer is beneficial? 

Silicone defoamer is used in the textile and paper industry for dyeing paper and polyester at elevated temperatures. 

  • What to do Silicone Leveling Agent in Paints? 

Silicone Leveling Agent is used in UV paint and coating solvent to increase fluidity and smoothness of paints. 

  • What is the use of Caprylyl Silicone Oil? 

Caprylyl Silicone Oil is used in cosmetic industry, skin care products, hair treatment products, deodorant, scent, antiperspirant, and sunscreen. 

Thank you for visiting and reading this blog. If you want to see more chemical products visit Hangzhou Hengyi for more details. 

  

  

 

 

  

titanium-dioxide-powder

What are the Applications of Titanium Dioxide?

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Titanium dioxide is one of the widely used colorants which is used to give color to several products we use in our day-to-day chores. The chemical formula for Titanium Dioxide is TiO2. Although it is very commonly used in several products in our daily life, there are many unknown facts or lesser-known sides of its use and properties. We must acquaint ourselves with these properties and uses as it may help us to bring more human-friendly products for the service of mankind. One such fact is the use of titanium dioxide in fighting the deadly surging skin cancer and environmental changes taking place around us.

titanium-dioxide-powder

Titanium dioxide has a brilliant and sharp white color which along with properties like resistance to Ultraviolet radiation and its ability to scatter light makes it a wonderful candidate for giving these properties to the products it is being used in.

Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is used in the production of paints, drugs, paper for writing, floor tiles, and even food items. It is also known as photocatalyst and its addition to paints, cement, and floor tiles can cause the breakdown of pollution-causing agents. The dashing white-colored appearance of titanium dioxide makes it one of the most coined raw materials for the paints industry.

It has been over one century since the use of titanium dioxide was established in a wide range of industries. Chemically it is classified as an inorganic compound and other useful properties include non-toxicity, non-reactivity, and high luminance. These are the reasons why they give a bright aspect to the products to which they are added.

It is known to be one of the brightest substances because it scatters Ultraviolet rays on one hand and absorbs them on the other hand.

As discussed above, the sharp white color and ultraviolet absorbing and scattering properties add to the favor of Titanium Dioxide usage in different sectors.

Enlisting all of the uses of titanium dioxide might be a daunting task but we’ll try to do so here briefly.

Whether it is the paints manufacturers or coating manufacturers, TiO2 is a go-to chemical for white color. It is also being used in inks for printing presses, packaging, cosmetics, and toothpaste. It is also being used as a food colorant. Some other commonly known uses are in the industries such as pharmaceutical and sunscreen manufacturers. That’s a mesmerizing range of uses from the non-edible spectrum to the edible spectrum of usage.

Let’s discuss all of them in a quick but detailed overview here:

Paints, coatings, and plastics

Usage in Paints and Coatings industry:

Titanium white is the alternative name for Titanium dioxide TiO2 when it is used as a pigment. Numerically it is known as Pigment White 6 and CI77891. It gives the brightest white color.

In the early 20th century, lead was used as a whitening agent and as we all know, lead is a pretty toxic substance to be used in multiple products. But it was not that easy to use titanium dioxide as a replacement for the lead as a whitening agent mainly because of higher costs.

PAINTS-USING-TITANIUM-DIOXIDE

Pigment White 6 or titanium dioxide is now considered the primary component for white paint and almost half of the usage of titanium dioxide is in the paints industry.

The ability of titanium dioxide to scatter visible light is primarily due to its high refractive index and owing to this property it adds bright white color to any product to it is added. The quality of reflection produced by it is unmatched.

The white color on the wings of wind turbines is also owed to titanium dioxide’s ability as a whitening agent. Besides its color, it also protects against ultraviolet radiation. You also might have noticed that windows are often painted white, primarily for the same reason as wind turbines.

 

Titanium Dioxide for Masterbatch:

Most have heard the word masterbatch, but we are not very familiar with the actual meaning of it. Masterbatch is a form of pigments in which different pigments are mixed and then cooled down and turned into a granular form which is then used to give color to different materials when they are being developed.

Titanium dioxide masterbatch often called white masterbatch gives bright white color to different forms of plastics. The intensity of the white color depends upon the amount of Titanium Dioxide used in combination with other pigments or fillers. Different types of plastic carriers such as PE, PS, and PP use titanium dioxide masterbatch as their whitening agent to produce plastic formations such as lamination, films, etc.

Some advantages of using a titanium dioxide masterbatch are bright white color and opacity, high-temperature resistance, non-toxic, and UV radiation resistance.

Some applications of these masterbatches:

In agricultural settings, a white masterbatch is used to create white plastic sheets often used in vegetable-growing farms for covering purposes.

Packaging industries are hugely dependent on titanium dioxide masterbatch granules as they give white color to all the white label boxes and product boxes.

There are many applications where it can be used but we’ll limit the discussion here. 

Titanium Dioxide for Inks:

Printing inks are widely used in printing books, titanium dioxide gives white printing ink opacity and brightness. The more opacity it has, the better it covers the page. Sometimes it is also used in combination with colored inks to give those colors brightness and crispiness which makes them appealing to the reader. Titanium dioxide inks have low abrasion levels, which provides an essential advantage of high-quality printing and smooth texture which is often disturbed by printers using another kind of inks due to friction in the printing process.

INKS-HAVING-TITANIUM-DIOXIDE

The other properties imparted by titanium dioxide inks are:

Brightness and Opacity

Minimal Abrasion

Equal distribution

Chemical and heat stability

 

 

Now that we have discussed the uses of titanium dioxide, we’ll now have a look at the properties of TiO2.

The wide range of applications of titanium dioxide is dependent upon its physical properties of it.

High Melting Point:

Its melting point is quite high i.e., 1843°C which makes it stable under sunlight.

High Boiling Point:

As we know, the boiling point is always higher than the melting point. The melting point for Titanium dioxide is 2972°C. For this reason, it is always found in solid form, and it is insoluble in water.

Yellowish Appearance:

You might be thinking that titanium dioxide should be of pure white color but that isn’t the case. It appears yellowish white to the naked eye, but it does give a bright white color to any product it is added to. The yellowish appearance is mainly because of the absorption of ultraviolet light.

High Refractive Index:

This property makes it a very good substance to be used in white paints as it scatters light more than other white pigments and results in a more whitening appearance.

Photocatalytic Agent:

This property has been discussed in detail. UV light highlights this property of titanium Dioxide. As a photocatalytic agent, it degrades a lot of environmental pollutants.

The discussion on different aspects of titanium dioxide can go on for hours but we’ll keep it short and crisp and leave the rest for the next articles.

Resistance:

Titanium Dioxide has been known to have high resistance to heat (stable over a wide range of temperatures). Resistance to degradation by climate and weather changes is also a desirable property.

How many Grades of Titanium Dioxide are there?

Like many other chemicals, titanium dioxide can exist in many forms which makes it applicable to several industries. Titanium Dioxide is generally produced in two different grades which are Rutile Titanium Dioxide and Anatase Titanium Dioxide. For use in the paint, plastic, and ink industry, rutile titanium dioxide is applied. And in industries like paper or ceramics, anatase grade is commonly used. Besides other chemical properties, both of these grades have no smell or taste and it is insoluble.

pigment-grade TiO2 particles are approximately 200-350 nm in dimension and this form accounts for 98 percent of total production. It is used mainly for light scattering and surface opacity applications, such as paint – this includes its use as a base for various color paints or as a standalone ‘brilliant’ white.

 

Food Industry:

You might have noticed that packaged foods are somewhat more colorful than their fresh counterparts. This is mainly due to the use of food color pigments. Being used in food items, these pigments must not be harmful to the body. Titanium dioxide is one of the best for this use and it is known as E171. It gives white color to the food and even enhances the texture of food. Besides whitening and texture, it is also used as a softener and abrasive in some sweet products.

 

Cosmetics Industry:

Again, like other uses of titanium dioxide, here it is also used for its white color and consistency-producing properties. Many cosmetics products such as creams must be white to give a transparent but glowing look when applied on the surface of the skin, and this is what titanium dioxide is responsible for.

Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation, and they are quite harmful to bare skin. This is where titanium dioxide is helpful, as it is a primary ingredient in sunscreen products. The risk associated with nano-sized titanium dioxide used in sunscreens is not the same as micro forms of it. The rutile form is one of the most common forms being used in cosmetics and there has been no observed skin damage associated with this form. The same goes for sunscreens being used for kids and people with sensitive skin particularly because they don’t absorb UV radiation and other types of sunscreens absorb UV radiation.

COSMETICS-TITANIUM-DIOXIDE

Talking of the environmental facts of titanium dioxide, many sunscreens which have titanium dioxide are proven to be less harmful to coral reefs than those having other agents in their composition.

Special attention must be paid to all the chemicals being used in cosmetics as the rate of skin cancer and cosmetic-associated cases continue to rise all over the world. UV radiation-absorbing components in cosmetics are the main culprits behind these problems.

Environmental Advantages:

Titanium dioxide is one of the miraculous chemicals which is quite useful in many environmentally friendly uses.

Buildings are often coated in white paint to keep them cool as the white color reflects lighter and results in lower absorption of heat. Titanium dioxide is the main component of these paints. Cool buildings mean there are low requirements for heating which in turn leads to lesser environmental pollution caused due to the production of energy. Only a single coat of paint is required to cover the surface which makes it an efficient component decreasing the amount of paint used to cover a single surface.

Another environmentally friendly aspect of titanium dioxide is that it is used as a photocatalytic agent (which means that it can downgrade multiple environmental pollutants in various products and thus decrease pollution). These products include cement, paints, windows, and tiles. Car exhausts and some gas exhausts of power plants also use titanium dioxide as a photocatalytic agent.

As a photocatalyst, titanium dioxide might be used as a source of clean energy production. Hydrogen fuels are becoming a trend lately and one way to produce them can be through hydrolysis which is mediated by Titanium Dioxide. Hydrolysis of water by titanium dioxide will yield oxygen and hydrogen, oxygen can be emitted into the environment without any hazard and hydrogen can be used in hydrogen-powered engines. Similarly, titanium oxide is used in some solar cells where they replicate the process similar to photosynthesis to produce an electric current.

What is the composition of titanium dioxide?

Titanium dioxide is formed when titanium, which is found in large amounts in the earth’s crust reacts with the oxygen present in the atmosphere. Titanium coexists with iron and calcium in the earth’s core.

Titanium dioxide consists of two oxygen atoms and one titanium atom. Chemically it is a stable compound with almost no reactivity with other compounds under normal circumstances. This is the reason why it has found many uses in multiple fields.

 

What is the source of Titanium Dioxide?

Titanium Dioxide is found mostly alongside iron as a mineral ilmenite and sometimes it is present in the rutile form which is simply TiO2. Both of these mineral forms are found around the world in different rocks and sands. The mineral is mainly supplied from Australia, Vietnam, China, India, and South Africa.

 

How Is Titanium Dioxide extracted from nature?

The process of extracting titanium dioxide is dependent upon where and in which form titanium oxide is found in minerals and depending upon these differences, titanium dioxide can be extracted by two main methods.

  1. Sulphate Process of Extraction
  2. Chloride Process of Extraction

Out of ilmenite and rutile mineral forms of titanium dioxide, the former is the main source of Titanium dioxide yielding more than half of its ilmenite form.

Ilmenite can be converted into pure titanium dioxide using the above two mentioned procedures.

Let’s discuss both of these extraction processes briefly.

The Sulphate method of extraction is currently the most popular one and yields around two-thirds of the total titanium dioxide produced in the EU. While the chloride process is used less than the sulfate method, it only yields a little over one-third of total titanium dioxide in the EU.

Will Titanium Dioxide survive the Evolution of Technology?

As we mentioned earlier in our discussion, titanium dioxide is much more commonly used in our daily life than most of the public knows. It is believed that it will certainly sustain the gusts of time and stand firm for a long time coming ahead although work is underway to improve its usage and decrease the number of resources used to manufacture it. We hope that things will turn out great owing to the effort being put in.

silicone-oil-preparation

How to Use Silicone Oil? Different Uses Explained

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Imagine a substance having usage ranging from medicine to aviation. This might seem skeptical but there is one chemical that has established its place in such a wide range. Yes, you guessed it right. It’s none other than silicone oil. Some of you might not have heard of this industrially essential chemical, so we’ll take some time to understand what silicone oil is and how to use it in various Industries.

You might be focusing on the word oil more than silicone but on the macro level, this might not feel like true oil so sometimes it is also referred to as silicone fluid. These are interchangeable terms.

silicone-oil-preparation

Most commonly used silicone oils are polymers of silicone where there is oxygen on alternative positions. This linear chain is maintained in a spiral position which makes it easy for the molecule to move over each other and this gives it an oily look. Silicone oils are stable to degradation by high temperatures. The main form which exists is Poly Dimethyl siloxane. Like this polymer form, other organic groups such as phenyl, vinyl amino acid, and epoxide can also be added to siloxane groups to create polymers that have different characteristics than their counterparts or other polymers.

Structure of Silicone Oil:

Silicone oil has a backbone of silicon and oxygen which are placed in alternative positions. Silicone present on these alternating positions in the linear chain also carries two carbon groups methyl, phenyl, and other amino acid groups. Different groups bring a different kinds of characteristics and reactivity.

If we add different organic groups to these Silicone atoms, we can attain silicone oils that can be integrated into two different compounds at the same time.

What are the characteristics of Silicone Oil?

Silicone oils exhibit very stable characteristics which are described below:

Viscosity:

Different Silicone oils exhibit different viscosities, but all of these viscosities remain constant over a range of different temperatures. The viscosities of different silicone oils range from 0.7 to 2,000,000 cs.

Thermal Stability:

Silicone oils are very stable and virtually show no change until the temperature of 250°C. This particular stability is due to the chemical bonding between silicon and oxygen in the linear chain.

Low Surface Tention:

Silicone oil molecules can easily slide over each other which gives them the liberty to move smoothly and thus have a lower surface tension which is accompanied by high compressibility.

Other properties:

Silicone oils are known to have higher dielectric strength which allows them to be used in several industries. Silicone oil can also bear heavy pressure and they are also resistant to hydrolysis and oxidation.

Applications of Silicone Oil:

Silicone oil is used in many different industries and products. The most common form of silicone oil is Polydimethyl Siloxane. This is used in many products such as:

  1. Hydraulic Break Fluids
  2. Damping Fluids
  3. Dielectric fluids
  4. Heating and Cooling fluids.
  5. Paint products

Now that we have established the base knowledge about silicone oil. Let’s discuss how we can practically use it for different applications in our daily life.

How to use Silicone oil in Lubricant?

Silicone oil is commonly used as a lubricant in a variety of industrial and household applications due to its low surface tension and chemical stability. It is often used as a lubricant for high-temperature applications, as it has a high flash point and does not break down under heat exposure. Additionally, silicone oil is often used in food-grade applications due to its non-toxicity and resistance to chemical degradation. Some common uses of silicone oil as a lubricant include:

Lubricating moving parts in machinery, such as gears, bearings, and conveyor systems.

Lubricating plastic and rubber parts to prevent sticking and wear.

Lubricating door hinges, locks, and other household items.

As a release agent in the manufacturing of molded plastic parts and rubber products.

As a lubricant for medical devices, such as catheters and syringes.

Overall, silicone oil is a great lubricant that provides excellent performance in a wide range of applications, making it a popular choice for manufacturers and consumers alike.

How to use Silicone oil in textiles?

Silicone oil is a commonly used finishing agent in the textile industry. It is applied to textiles to improve the fabric’s softness, drape, and durability, as well as to resist water and stains. The following steps outline how to use silicone oil in textiles:

Preparation: Before applying silicone oil, the fabric must be cleaned and dried thoroughly. Any residue from previous treatments or finishes must be removed to ensure even application and maximum benefits from the silicone oil.

Mixing: Silicone oil is usually supplied in concentrated form, so it must be diluted with a solvent to the desired concentration for use. Mix the silicone oil and solvent in a container, following the manufacturer’s recommended proportions.

Drying and Curing: After applying the silicone oil, the fabric must be dried and cured. This process allows the solvent to evaporate and the silicone oil to bond with the fibers. The drying and curing temperature and time will depend on the type of solvent used, the concentration of the silicone oil, and the type of fabric.

Finishing: Once the fabric is dried and cured, it can be processed through a finishing machine to improve its appearance, softness, and hand. This may include heat-setting, calendaring, or other processes to enhance the fabric’s properties.

textile-silicone-oil-fabric

By following these steps, silicone oil can be successfully used to improve the performance and appearance of textiles. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for dilution, application, and processing to ensure optimal results.

How to use Silicone oil as a defoaming agent?

Silicone oil is commonly used as a defoaming agent in various industrial processes, including the food and beverage, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The following steps outline how to use silicone oil as a defoaming agent:

Preparation: The first step is to prepare the system in which the defoaming agent will be used. This typically involves ensuring that the system is free from any foreign particles or impurities that may interfere with the effectiveness of the silicone oil.

Dosing: Once the system is prepared, the silicone oil must be accurately dosed into the system. The amount of silicone oil required will depend on the size and nature of the system, as well as the type and amount of foam generated. It is recommended to start with a small amount of silicone oil and gradually increase the dose until the desired effect is achieved.

Injection: The silicone oil must be injected into the system in a manner that ensures it is effectively dispersed and has maximum contact with the foam. This may involve using a specialized injector or adding silicone oil directly to the system.

Observation: After injecting the silicone oil, it is important to monitor the system for any changes in the amount of foam being generated. If the foam is not effectively reduced, additional doses of silicone oil may be required.

Maintenance: Silicone oil is a highly effective defoaming agent, but it is important to maintain the system and ensure that it continues to perform optimally. This may involve regular cleaning and maintenance, as well as monitoring for any changes in foam generation.

By following these steps, silicone oil can be effectively used as a defoaming agent in various industrial processes. It is important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for dosing, injection, and maintenance to ensure optimal results.

How to use Silicone oil in the automobile industry?

Silicone oil is a versatile product that can be used in various ways in the automobile industry. Here are some of the most common applications:

Lubrication: Silicone oil can be used as a lubricant in automobile engines and other moving parts, where it provides long-lasting protection against friction and wear.

Engine Cleaner: Silicone oil can be used to clean engines, which helps to remove built-up grime and debris, improving engine performance and efficiency.

Engine Sealant: Silicone oil can be used to seal engine components and prevent leaks, preserving the engine’s efficiency and performance.

Car Care: Silicone oil can be used as a protectant for various automotive surfaces, including rubber, vinyl, and plastic. It provides a protective barrier against UV rays, moisture, and other environmental elements, helping to preserve the appearance and longevity of the vehicle.

Brake Fluid: Silicone oil can be used as a brake fluid in automotive braking systems, where its low compressibility and high stability provide consistent and reliable performance.

Radiator Coolant: Silicone oil can be used as a coolant in automobile radiators, where it provides efficient heat transfer and improved engine cooling.

Rubber and Plastic Conditioner: Silicone oil can be used to condition rubber and plastic parts in automobiles, helping to extend their lifespan and improve their appearance.

automobile-industry

In conclusion, silicone oil is a versatile product that can be used in various applications in the automobile industry to improve performance, efficiency, and longevity. When using silicone oil in automotive applications, it is important to choose the right grade and type of silicone oil for the specific application and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and handling.

Usage of Silicone oil in release agents:

Silicone oil is a common ingredient in release agents, which are substances used to prevent adhesion between surfaces. Here are the steps to use silicone oil as a release agent:

Clean the Surface: Clean the surface that you want to prevent adhesion, removing any dirt, grease, or oil.

Apply Silicone Oil: Apply a thin, even layer of silicone oil to the surface using a brush, roller, or spray bottle. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly.

Wait for Drying: Allow the silicone oil to dry completely, which usually takes several minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the layer and the ambient conditions.

Use the Surface: Once the silicone oil is dry, you can use the surface as needed. The silicone oil will act as a barrier, preventing adhesion between the surface and any other material.

Reapply as Needed: Reapply the silicone oil as needed, especially if the surface becomes dirty or contaminated.

Silicone oil is often preferred over other release agents due to its non-toxic, non-reactive, and non-staining properties, making it safe for use on a wide range of materials, including food contact surfaces. Additionally, silicone oil does not evaporate or break down over time, providing long-lasting protection against adhesion. When using silicone oil as a release agent, it is important to choose the right grade and type of silicone oil for the specific application and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and handling.

How to use Silicone Oil for Cooking?

Silicone oil is a popular ingredient in cooking due to its non-stick properties and high heat resistance. Here are the steps to use silicone oil in cooking:

Choose the Right Type of Silicone Oil: There are different types of silicone oil available, including refined, high-oleic, and food-grade silicone oil. Choose the right type of silicone oil for your cooking needs, taking into account the temperature and type of cooking involved.

Apply Silicone Oil to Cookware: Apply a small amount of silicone oil to your cookware, such as a baking sheet or a frying pan, using a brush or a spray bottle. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly.

Heat the Cookware: Heat the cookware to the desired temperature, allowing the silicone oil to warm up and coat the surface.

Cook Your Food: Place your food in the cookware and cook as desired, taking advantage of the non-stick properties of the silicone oil.

Clean the Cookware: After cooking, let the cookware cool down before washing it with warm soapy water. Silicone oil is resistant to heat and can withstand high temperatures, making it easy to clean and maintain.

cooking-using-silicone-spray

When using silicone oil in cooking, it is important to keep in mind that it has a neutral taste and does not affect the flavor of your food. Additionally, silicone oil is non-reactive, making it safe for use with a wide range of food products. When using silicone oil in cooking, it is important to choose the right type of silicone oil for the specific application and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and handling.

How to Use Silicone oils in acrylic paints?

The beauty of acrylic pouring increases with the number of cells being created primarily by the difference in the density of both paints. Silicone oil is the basic component in creating these cells.

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Let’s discuss the step-by-step process of how to create cells in an acrylic painting using silicone oil.

Identifying the right Acrylic Paint:

There are two types of acrylic paints, those which do not need additional water and therefore their viscosity can’t be changed and those which require the addition of water, and their viscosities are dependent upon the amount of water added in them.

After selecting what kind of acrylic paint, you are going to use put both these in two separate jars.

Selection of the Pouring Medium:

Pouring medium adds flow and smooth texture to the acrylic paints being used in painting. Pouring medium helps to maintain the viscosity and dilute the paints at the same time.

Add the pouring medium to both of the above-mentioned jars and then mix the pouring medium with acrylic paints separately, note that the amount of pouring medium should be slightly more than the number of acrylic paints.

Addition of Silicone Oil:

After mixing the pouring medium and paint, add 2 drops of silicone oil for 10 ml of acrylic paint and let the mixture blend by slightly moving the mixer stick.

Pouring and Heating:

You are not going to let the acrylic paints sit idle in the jar, it must be poured onto a flat surface such as a paper canvas or any other flat surface, and make sure to cover all of the space on the canvas.

After pouring the paint mixture on the surface, we should dry the paint using a heat gun. As soon as heat is applied, the cells will start to pop up in the painting and you’ll get the desired results.

Usage of Silicone Oil in Agricultural adjuvants

Silicone oil is used in agricultural sprays containing pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides and it helps these to perform better (synergistic effect)

How does silicone oil act as a synergist to agricultural sprays?

For a chemical spray to be more effective and efficient, it needs to cover the surface of the plant better but that is not easy for these pesticides or herbicides as there is a difference in surface tensions between the plant and spray droplets.

Nearly 99% percent of the spray will not reach its target if used without adjuvants. To counter this problem, silicone oil comes into play. The maximum leaf surface can only be covered only when the surface tension problem is solved.

Higher surface tension means the spray droplets are in lesser contact with the surface of the leaf, on the other hand, lower surface tension means flatter droplets and better coverage of leaf surface area.

As silicone oil possesses lower surface tension and is chemically stable, the addition of Silicone oil will collectively lower the surface tension of agricultural sprays and increase its availability, and enhance efficiency.

 

Use of Silicone Oil in the cosmetics industry:

Silicone oil is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizing and conditioning ingredient. Here’s how it’s used in different cosmetics products:

Moisturizers: Silicone oil is added to creams and lotions to improve their moisturizing properties. It helps to form a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Hair care products: Silicone oil is commonly used in hair care products like conditioners, serums, and hair oils. It helps to detangle hair, reduce frizz, and provide a glossy, smooth finish.

Makeup products: Silicone oil is added to some makeup products, like foundation and primer, to improve their texture and spreadability. It can also help to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin appear smoother.

Sunscreens: Silicone oil can be used as a base ingredient in sunscreens. It helps to spread the sunscreen evenly and prevent it from leaving a sticky or greasy residue on the skin.

When using silicone oil in cosmetics, it is important to keep in mind the type of silicone oil used, as different types have different properties. For example, Cyclopentasiloxane is a lightweight and non-greasy silicone oil that is commonly used in skincare products, while dimethicone is a heavier silicone oil that is more commonly used in hair care products.

It is also important to be mindful of the concentration of silicone oil in the product. While a small amount can provide benefits, using too much can leave the skin feeling greasy and congested.

 

In conclusion, silicone oil is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cosmetics products to improve their moisturizing, conditioning, and soothing properties. When used in moderation, it can provide many benefits for the skin and hair.

Silicone-oil-factory

How is Silicone Oil Manufactured? A detailed Overview.

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You might have heard the phrase “We are living in a plastic world” because plastic is everywhere, incorporated into almost every aspect of our lives. Here at Hengyi Tek, we have our phrase “We are living in a silicone world”, silicone has been an integral part of our daily chores such as using silicone chips in our computers and automotive vehicles. Silicone has an excellent reputation for its existence in various physical forms which gives it a headstart over its counterparts. Silicone exists in the solid state as the general public knows it. Silicone also exists in the gel-like material such as in silicone implants. The last known physical state of silicone to a common is liquid silicone which is often termed silicone oil or silicone fluid. Although it is not commonly known that silicone also exists in liquid form, the uses of silicone oil or silicone fluid are very crucial and are used in several industries.

You might be pondering about the manufacturing process of silicone oil, but before that, it is a must that we talk briefly about the uses of silicone oil and its properties. Silicone-oil-factory

 Let’s discuss the later part first, the properties of silicone oil:

Properties:

The linear structure of silicone fluids (polydimethylsiloxanes) is primarily responsible for all the beneficial properties exhibited by them.

High Molecular Weight:

It is one of the very few materials which maintains a liquid consistency at such high molecular weight making it useful.

Stable Viscosity-Temperature profile:

High molecular weight and the linear structure helps silicone oil maintain a constant or minor change in viscosity over a wide range of temperatures. This is one of the most important properties which makes it the best for various uses.

Thermal and Oxidative Stability:

Silicone oil is semi-inorganic which makes it somewhat resistant to thermal degradation and oxidative degradation. While organic fluids are particularly prone to both kinds of degradations.

Doesn’t absorb UV and X-Rays:

Silicone oil is also used in the medical and healthcare industry so this property of inability to absorb UV and X-rays comes in handy while being used in medical settings.

Low Surface Tension:

This property is of particular importance for its use in various industries.

Low Vapor Pressure.

Low Volatility.

High Flash and Ignition Point.

High Specific Resistance.

Water Insolubility.

Dielectric Properties.

Now that we have discussed the properties briefly, let’s move on to discuss the uses of silicone oil in brief:

Uses of Silicone fluid: 

The properties mentioned above provide silicone fluids with the liberty of usage in several industries. Silicone fluids are used as lubricants and release agents in their pure forms. The use of silicone oils as lubricants has been around for a while, especially in hydraulic aircraft engines. The food industry owes a bundle of thanks to silicone fluids as it is used as releasing agent in cooking sprays and for baking purposes. The textile industry has also seen a major boom in the use of silicone fluids for smooth touching in fabrics. The paint industry is also one of those reaping benefits from this magical fluid.

How to Manufacture Silicone oil?

Before diving into the exact process of how silicone fluids are made. We must develop an understanding of the structure of silicone and its various compounds. Commonly used Silicones are polymeric compounds of silicone having a silicone-oxygen chain with both of these at alternating positions (Si-O-Si), this alternating chain of silicon and oxygen atoms makes up the backbone of Silicone compounds.

Silicone-oil-in-glass-jar

Depending upon the extent to which a silicone compound can bear functional groups, they can be classified as monofunctional, difunctional, trifunctional, and tetrafunctional. The structural formulas for all of them are given below:

Monofunctional Silicone Compounds:

They are also known as end groups. The degree of Polycondensation and viscosity of the polymer depends upon the monofunctional group present in organo-poly siloxane which limits the chain length affecting these parameters.

Molecular Formula:                              R3SiO1/2

Starting Silane:                                     R3SiCl

Difunctional Silicone Compounds:

Difunctional functional groups tend to have a higher degree of molecular chains.

Molecular Formula:                                  R2SiO2/2 

Starting Silane:                                         R2SiCl2 

Trifunctional Silicone Compounds:

These often tend to produce 3-D structures which are cross-linked.

Molecular Formula:                                  RSiO3/2 

Starting Silane:                                         RSiCl3 

Tetrafunctional (Quaternary) Silicone Compounds:

Molecular Formula:                                  SiO4/2 

Starting Silane:                                         SiCl4 

Mono and difunctional silicone compounds are the primary components for linear chain silicone oils, so our discussion will be limited to these two.

Another categorization of organosilanes is based on the type of substituent (R) present in the structure of the silicone oil.

Dimethyl Siloxane: 

When methyl (CH3) is present as a substituent on two positions in a linear chain of siloxane, it is called dimethyl siloxane or dimethyl silicone oil. The majority of organosilanes have dimethyl silicone in their structure. Trimethylsilyl-terminated dimethylpolysiloxane is also a major contributor to organosilanes.

Some other types of methyl silane are considered important such as

Methylhydrogensiloxanes:

This type of silicone has hydrogen in place of one of the methyl groups present on the difunctional unit.

Phenymethylsilicone Fluids:

The methyl group present in the backbone of dimethyl silicone is replaced by phenyl groups. They tend to show somewhat different extents of properties

Different properties can be achieved by changing the proportion of phenyl to methyl groups present on the backbone of silicone oil structures.

There are a lot of modifications that can be incorporated into the alternating silicone oil backbone and there is a significant number of silicone oils that are produced each year.

Glycolfunctional Siloxanes are another modified silicone that is water soluble, their silicone backbone contains glycol chains consisting of ethylene oxide or polyepoxide.

The use of silicone oils in the aqueous environment depends upon what kind of bonding they have for silicone with adjacent atoms. Bonds can be formed between silicone, oxygen, and carbon such as Si-O-C, these types of bonds are subjected to hydrolysis, also the bonds can be formed between silicone and carbon such as Si-C, the best property exhibited by this type of linkage is that they are unsaponifiable.

The procedure for the production of Silicon Fluids/Silicone Oil: 

We have already stated that our focus in this article will be the production method or manufacturing method of dimethyl silicone oil as it is one of the basic and most important forms. 

There are a few basic reactions that take place in the production of dimethyl silicone fluids, these reactions are considered to be of fundamental importance in all organo-silicone compound chemistry.

Silicone-oil-manufacturing

Before going into details of all these fundamental reactions, let’s list them all:

‌Müller-Rochow Synthesis

‌Hydrolysis, Methanolysis, Condensation

‌Polymerization Reaction

‌Equilibration Reaction

Transesterification Reaction

Hydrosilylation Reaction

Direct Synthesis Reaction

Now Let’s discuss all of them in a little detail:

‌Müller-Rochow Synthesis

Methylchlorosilanes are produced with the help of this reaction. These are cheaper to produce in terms of finances. Silicone and methyl chloride (in gaseous form) are primarily required for the reaction. A high temperature of 260-320°C is required with the presence of copper as a catalyst. Reactions take place in a gas/solid state. The equation of the above-said reaction is shown below, and it leads to the production of dimethyldichlorosilane as follows:

Si + 2CH3CI → (CH3)2SiCl2

‌Hydrolysis,methanolysis, and Condensation.

These three steps take place after the synthesis of organocholosilanes. Hydrolysis and methanolysis generally take place before condensation; both have organocholosilanes as their targets. After hydrolysis and methanolysis, the next step is condensation which leads to silane production. During these three processes, the acid chloride of silicic acid reacts with water and methanol. Details of the reaction are given below in the following:

(CH3)2SiCI2+ 2H2O→(CH3)2Si (OH)2 +2HCI 

n(CH3)2Si(OH)2→HO一[(CH3)2SiO]n一H + (n一1) H2O

nSi + 2nCH3OH →rnHO一[(CH3)2SiOH]x一 f (n一rn)H20 

The above reaction depicts the condensation of dimethyl dichlorosilanes after hydrolysis had already taken place. During this reaction, the elimination of water from silanol groups results in the production of high molecular siloxanes. The biggest drawback of hydrolysis reaction is that it results in a considerable amount of HCL gas production which leads to pollution. Methanolysis, on the other hand, is pollution free in this regard and fact more economical because the chlorine produced can be reused in the production of methyl chloride. 

Polymerization Reaction:

Out of many ways to produce silicone oils, one is called the polymerization reaction. As the name suggests, polymerization reactions result in the production of high molecular linear polysiloxanes from those siloxane rings which are free from hydroxyl groups.

Equilibration Reaction:

It is one of the mega players in the production of silicone fluids. The main goal of the reaction is to homogenize the siloxane mixtures which have a different molecular weight. This reaction is catalyzed in such a way that the final siloxane mixture is a gaussian molecular weight mixture. Silicone fluids with desired viscosity can be drawn out using an equilibration reaction and also stable uniform distribution can be achieved using this reaction.

Direct Synthesis Reactions:

In this type of synthesis, the reactants are either silicone or SiH containing silanes and chlorobenzene. After silicone and chlorobenzene react to produce phenylchlorosilanes which are repeatedly hydrolyzed to produce silicone oil.

Hydrosilylation reaction: 

It is a catalytic reaction in which noble metals act as a catalyst and they add ω-terminated olefinic molecules to SiH silanes.

Transesterification Reaction: 

Alkosilyl groups are transesterified by a silanol group-containing siloxanes which yield silicone oil.

Insertion Reactions are also one way to produce silicone oil.

All these processes can be used to produce silicone oil. Some of them are more economical and more frequently used but that is not our concern for today.

optical brightener white t-shirt

Optical Brighteners (OB): Everything You Need to Know

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Optical brighteners are fascinating chemicals because they absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet spectra (340 nm–370 nm), which lie in the electromagnetic spectrum. After absorbing, they emit this light into a different region (blue, 420–470 nm) while displaying the phenomenon of fluorescence.

The bluish haze added by optical brightening agents removes the yellowish feel from substances and gives them a fresh look.

Alternatively, optical brighteners are known as:

Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs)

Fluorescent Brightening Agents (FBAs)

Fluorescent Whitening Agents (FWAs)

Their primary function or effect is that they give a whitish and bright appearance to several products to which they are frequently added. A detailed discussion about the applications and uses of optical brighteners is provided later in this blog post.

optical brightener white t-shirt

 

Before going into further details of applications, let’s dive into the properties and types of optical brighteners:

Types of OB:

Optical brighteners (OB) can be classified into different categories depending on the number of sulfonic groups in the structure.

The following are different categories of optical brighteners:

Disulfonated optical brighteners.

Tetrasulfonated optical Brighteners

Hexasulfonated optical brighteners.

Now let’s discuss each of them a bit more in detail:

Di-sulfonated Optical brighteners:

As is visible from the suffix “Di,” this type of OB consists of two sulfonic groups. They show resistance to water and are very unlikely to show solubility in other solvents. They have a degree of affinity for cellulose; therefore, they are used in wet-end addition.

Tetra-sulfonated Optical Brighteners:

Tetrasulfonated OBs are those that contain four sulphonic groups. They are comparatively less hydrophobic, show better solubility, and have a medium range of affinity. Because of their medium affinity, they can be used in both dry and wet end additions. The paper industry is where they have found themselves most useful.

Hexa-sulfonated Optical brighteners:

Hexa stands for six, so it’s pretty obvious that they contain six sulfonic groups. Because a greater number of sulfonic groups corresponds to greater solubility, hexasulfonated optical brighteners have high solubility. For the same reason, they are only used in dry-end addition techniques. Their primary use is due to the extreme brightness they bring to different substances.

Properties of Optical Brighteners:

Optical brighteners bring a lot of beneficial properties to the table; let’s get deep into them.

Brightness and Whiteness:

When the white textile fabric is produced in the factories, observers are called to check the whiteness of the fabric, and white textile that is freshly made often gives off a yellowish haze, which often dampens the look and aesthetics of the fabric. Adding a bluer tint to the fabric makes it look whiter. If you grew up in the 1990s, you probably remember seeing blue laundry detergents used in the washing process to give it a brighter tint.

As explained at the start, optical brighteners emit blue light, and when this property is added to the textile, they give it a brighter look and get rid of the yellowish feel. Having a greater affinity for cellulose, they become excellent for use in cellulose-containing fabrics.

The brightness of OB can be boosted by the addition of “polyols,” primarily due to an increase in the emission of blue light. On the other hand, excess brightness should also be avoided because it may add a greenish haze, which is not desirable.

Lightfastness:

This is a property of any colour-producing material that indicates how resistant it is to fading when exposed to light. OBs introduce a significant amount of lightfastness when added to the cellulose-containing fabric. On the other hand, when added to fabrics like Xylon, their light fastness increases more than that of cellulose, and in the case of polyester, there is an even higher rating of light fastness being added by OBs.

Washing fastness:

It is the property of the colour dyed on fabric; it is the measure of how resistant a dyed colour is to the effects of the washing process. The washing fastness added by OBs is in the medium range, and it might degrade with time, particularly in the case of cellulose textiles. In the case of other textile materials, the washing fastness of OBs may last for the life of the textile material.

Optical Brighteners’ Applications:

Let’s briefly discuss the uses of OBs:

Laundry detergents with optical brighteners:

Laundry detergents have some quantity of optical brighteners added in to brighten the washed clothes, and this has vastly replaced the blue dye that was added to white fabrics while washing previously.

OB in the Paper Industry:

Optical brighteners are often used in the paper industry for increased brightness, which often gives a better background for writing. On the other side of the coin, banknotes do not use such fluorescent agents, and therefore this characteristic can be used to check for fake banknotes.

white paper brightened by optical brightener

Optical Brighteners in the Cosmetic Industry:

The same feature of adding brightness can make eye powders and face powders favourable products in which optical brighteners can be used. They are also used to treat blonde hair for conditioning purposes and add luminance to it by using optical brighteners.

optical brightener added in face powder

question mark

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Dimethyl Silicone.

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Silicone has been the most popular chemical in recent times, whether it is in the form of silicone implants or silicone gels. With COVID’s exponential growth in e-commerce marketplaces, silicone products were always trending on various social media platforms. The upward trajectory of the popularity of silicone products has been around for almost two decades. Most people have only known silicone as a thick, viscous gel-like material or as the primary hard material used in various chips around the world. Although silicone chips have played a massive role in the tech revolution, there are many other silently incorporated roles for silicone in many of the fast-moving consumer goods we use daily. Most of these lesser-known facts about the use of silicone come from the fact that silicone is also available in liquid form, which is often referred to as silicone oil or silicone fluid. Silicone fluid comes in a variety of polymerized forms, and probably the most famous one is dimethyl silicone.

question mark

Whenever a question comes to mind, people often go find the answer on the internet. We have noticed that not a lot of information is present on a single page where you can find all the answers. Here we’ll try to answer most of the questions being asked frequently.

What is dimethyl silicone?

Dimethyl silicone, also known as silicone oil, is a tasteless, odorless, and colorless chemical that appears to the naked eye to be water, even though it is not soluble in water. It is soluble in many organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ether, chloroform, ether, and many others. Various steps are involved in the production of dimethyl silicone, such as:

  • Hydrolysis
  • Neutralization
  • Cracking
  • Fractionation

Dimethyl silicone has found its application in a lot of industries, such as the cosmetics industry, paint industry, food industry, car polishing industry, and many more. Dimethyl silicone is much more incorporated into our lives through multiple products than ever before.

Can you eat dimethyl silicone?

Do you want to eat dimethyl silicone? I bet you can’t because it is a liquid in the first place and can be drunk, but it has no taste, which makes it highly unlikeable to be drunk. But don’t assume that it can’t be used in the food industry. Dimethyl silicone is a key ingredient in cooking sprays, where it provides non-stick properties and also acts as a good anti-foaming agent. It is also used as an additive. The only care needed with dimethyl silicone while using it in food processing is avoiding its direct contact with fire as it is flammable, so always use it with care and in smaller quantities.

a man eating

Where can I buy dimethyl silicone?

Dimethyl silicone is not rare to find. It can be bought online at several e-commerce marketplaces, but that quantity might only be for small businesses or individual users. For large-scale purchases, contacting manufacturers around the world might be the best way to get your hands on some high-quality, low-priced dimethyl silicone. The majority of silicone fluid manufacturers are located in China. Often, these manufacturers tend to have websites where you can find contact details such as a phone number, email, or LinkedIn page. The other way to go about looking for dimethyl silicone oil is by using websites like Alibaba or Made in China, where you can browse through a lot of vendors selling silicone oil. However, one of the most vexing aspects of weeding out these vendors is that sometimes middlemen enter the picture, resulting in a higher price. Hengyi Technology provides a solution to all these problems with the association of several dimethyl silicone oil manufacturers. You just need to tell the company the quantity and type of silicone fluid required, and Hengyi will provide you with the best quote for your desired amount.

 

Is dimethyl silicone toxic?

It is a non-toxic substance, and in fact, it is very useful in the food industry. It is marked as a safe food additive, and its use in cooking sprays is just increasing day by day. Okay, that’s about toxicity for humans. Is it toxic for plants? Although it is used as an adjuvant with many herbicides and pesticides, when used alone on plants, it is not a toxic substance and doesn’t cause retardation in the growth of plants or even pests. However, drinking silicone oil should be avoided, as it can cause low-grade irritation. It should also not come into contact with the naked eye.

 

toxic mask

Can dimethyl silicone cause cancer?

Dimethyl silicone being used in the food industry signals its safety for human consumption in low amounts. Although rumors of its safety kept circulating as “health hazardous” or “cancerous,” there is no scientific proof to support this gossip. To be safe, the World Health Organization recommends no more than 43 g of cooking spray containing dimethyl silicone per 40 kg of body weight per day.

 

cancer surviving kid

Is silicone oil good for hair?

Silicone is used in several hair products, and it creates a water-repellent layer around your hair that keeps it hydrated over time. It is not dangerous, but long-term use may cause hair to dry out and lose strength. Silicone buildups in the hair are hard to remove, and they generally go away in 7 to 8 washes. There are many specific silicone-free shampoos available on the market, but silicone is still used by a lot of shampoo and haircare product manufacturers.

 

hair

Can silicone oil stay in the eye forever?

Before going into the discussion about whether silicone oil can stay in the eye forever or not, it is important to know why silicone oil is injected into the eye. Silicone oil is injected into the eye to replace vitreous humor (a gel-like substance), which is generally lost when there is retinal detachment of the eye. The inclusion of silicone oil in the eye prevents the aqueous humor from reaching the retina. After the vitreous humor heals itself, silicone oil is often removed from the eye, or else it will lead to an increase in intraocular pressure. Silicone oil typically lasts 3–4 months before being surgically removed after complete recovery.

 

eye

Why is silicone used instead of oil in acrylic pouring?

Acrylic pouring is a type of abstract art in which acrylic paint is poured into each other. The most prominent feature of acrylic pouring is the creation of cells. There are many ways to achieve it, and one way is through the addition of silicone oil to acrylic paints. Only a few drops of silicone oil are needed to create cells when pouring acrylic.

 

acrylic pouring dimethyl silicone cells

rice-crop-growing

Silicone Adjuvants in Agriculture as Herbicides. What else?

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Silicone adjuvants are used frequently in agriculture for increasing the effects of agricultural herbicides and pesticides. Before going deep into the discussion, let’s understand first what adjuvants are. They can be simply explained as support chemicals that can be added to herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides to increase their effectiveness and also add several beneficial characteristics.

rice-crop-growing

 

Agricultural adjuvants are primarily used as an herbicide but their use as insecticides, fungicides, acaricides, and plant growth regulators are also being established.

It’s time to dive further into details of how Silicone Agricultural Adjuvant can be used in different modes:

Silicone Adjuvants for Herbicides:

When these adjuvants are added to the herbicides, they either improve or sometimes lower the potential of the herbicides depending upon the nature of the adjuvant it is being added in. Enhancing the effect of herbicides by adding adjuvants seems pretty straightforward forward but why we would want the adjuvant to decrease the effects of herbicides? Sometimes, the herbicide might be needed to eradicate the growing herbs in crops, and using the herbicide at its full capacity might prove harmful to the crop itself and that is where adjuvants come into play to save the crop while killing the herbs at the same time.

 

Roles of different types of Silicone Adjuvants along with Herbicides:

Activator Adjuvants:

As the name suggests, these types of silicone adjuvants increase the activity of herbicides by enhancing the following characteristics:

  • Increased absorption into the plant surface.
  • Decreased photodegradation of herbicides leads to increased time of activity of herbicides or increased life of herbicidal action.
  • Changes the physical properties of herbicides.

Plants have a thick outer surface known as a cuticle which must be penetrated by herbicides to be effective. The cuticle is made up of wax which is water-repellent in nature and cutin and pectin which are somewhat less repellent to water. Wax is the major factor that limits the absorption of herbicides as the hydrocarbons are the primary component in the wax. The amount of wax and type of wax changes across different species which makes it a bit tricky in choosing the right adjuvant which can help herbicide cross the cuticle easily. 

Surfactant:

Surfactants can be anionic, cationic, nonionic, and organosilicon. They are used after herbicides. The main function of surfactants is to decrease the surface tension between spray droplets of herbicide and plant surface.

man-spraying-a-crop

Nonionic surfactants can be used in combination with a lot of pesticides because it carries no electrical charge. While anionic surfactants carry a negatively charged functional group. Anionic surfactants are more specific and are only compatible with some specific herbicides. Only one cationic surfactant (ethoxylated fatty amines) is commonly used with herbicides. Organosilicon is a relatively newly introduced group of surfactants, and they are replacing the old non-ionic surfactants because of lower surface tension, better rain fastness, and other improved properties than those of non-ionic surfactants.

Silicone Adjuvants for Insecticides and Acaricides:

Silicone surfactants are not very reactive, but their capability to penetrate insects is mainly because the outer layer of insects is somewhat similar to that of plants. Silicone surfactant penetrates the insect’s stroma due to decreased surface tension.

 

Silicone Adjuvants for Fungicides:

Silicone adjuvants used in fungicides are not very much known and there is limited knowledge available. Fungicides are not required to be absorbed into the leaf surface for effectiveness. Instead, they tend to perform better when they stay on the surface of the plant to keep them protected from fungus. 

Contrary to the protective fungus, the systemic fungus is required to be absorbed to perform its function. Silicone adjuvants may prove helpful in the cause of system fungicides. 

Silicone Adjuvants for Plant Growth Regulators:

The use of silicone-based adjuvants such as siloxane polymers has proven to show an increased effect on plant growth regulators and this action is due to increased uptake of plant growth regulators. An example of a silicone adjuvant in plant growth regulators is the use of silicone adjuvant with manganese salt and phosphate which is applied to wheat crops, and it tends to give more outcomes than any other surfactant used.

 

agricultural silicone adjuvants

To sum up the discussion, silicone adjuvants play a vital role in increasing the outcome of crops and reducing the potential damage or harm which can be inflicted by herbs, pests, fungi, and other factors.

Hengyi Technology provides a variety of agricultural silicone adjuvants to be used by manufacturers around the world.

Where to buy silicone oil

Silicone Oil uses in different Product and Industries

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Silicone is one of the most commonly used chemical ingredients known to human beings and the users are as young as newborns who drink milk from silicone-made feeder nipples to all the adults who consume silicone through various products used in day-to-day life tasks. Silicone has found its way into most aspects of life like technology, medical science, cosmetics, electronics, etc. But the question is how this material is found in so many things around us although two things containing silicone might not look like each other at all. The answers lie in silicone’s ability to exist in many physical forms e.g., Silicone oil, Silicone grease, Silicone rubber, Silicone resin, Silicone caulk, etc.

Silicone oil is probably one of the most fascinating chemicals we have today and all the buzz around the benefits of silicone oil is real.

Silicone oil uses

Let’s have a closer look here to understand more about silicone oil and see how we can get more out of it:

WHAT IS SILICONE OIL?

They can be defined as a linear chain of Poly siloxane that contains silicone and oxygen at alternating positions. Silicone atom in the linear chain has two spots where they can bind with carbon groups like methyl is bounded. Several polymers can be made out of it like Polydimethylsiloxane. Polymers can affect the degree of physical and chemical properties offered by silicone oils.

It is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless substance that can be found in a liquid or semi-solid state depending on the degree of polymerization. It also possesses a large compression ratio which gives it higher thermodynamic efficiency making it excellent for use as a hydraulic fluid in various machines. The viscosity-temperature coefficient of silicone is low (Viscosity and temperature are intervened. Viscosity is an important factor as low viscosity of lubricants means lower consumption of fuel. Generally, in petroleum oils, the viscosity is much more dependent on temperature, and at higher temperatures viscosity increases making fuel consumption greater than consumption at lower temperatures. Still, silicone oils show a little change in their viscosity with an increase in temperature) which makes them an excellent lubricant. Silicone oil has a much lower surface tension which helps it spread over the surface more easily and this property justifies its use in various cosmetic products where lower surface tension is important for the best and even results. This property of lower surface tension has also paved the path for silicone oil to be used as a defoamer and release agent. Heat resistance is another property that stands strong in favor of silicone to be used in multiple high-temperature open and closed systems. Temperatures even as high as 250°C do not affect silicone oil at all.

For this degree of heat resistance, it is used in lab research apparatus. While being heat resistant, silicone fluid interestingly is also an excellent low-temperature resistant substance. Dimethyl silicone oil can bear temperatures as low as -50°C and Methylphenyl silicone oil can remain fluid even at -65°C. Maybe this is the reason for use of silicone oil refrigerants used in refrigerators. These low-temperature-resistant properties make them excellent for use in some of the coldest regions around the world. Low thermal conductivity is another key feature of silicone oil as its thermal conductivity is as low as 25% compared to that of water. Low thermal conductivity means silicone oil can be used as heat transfer material or as an insulation material with better energy-efficient performance. Moreover, as we discussed earlier that viscosity and temperature are related, a general increase in viscosity means an increase in thermal conductivity, but in the case of silicone oil the thermal conductivity becomes constant above a viscosity of 100 mm2/s. Recently, the water-repellent characteristic of silicone fluid has found its way into the textile and coating industry. The ceramics industry, glass, and fiber production industries are the ones benefiting from this technology. Silicone oil offers high resistance to heavy stress applied to it, this is a feature that mineral oil doesn’t exhibit and often their oil molecules deform under sheer stress also there is a visible change in viscosity. Those silicone oils have a viscosity lower than 1000 mm2/s; stress doesn’t change their viscosity too much. But larger viscosity silicone oils might see a visible change in viscosity on the application of stress which is reversible because the oil molecules are not deformed unlike mineral oils and thus regain their original viscosity when the stress applied to them is removed. This feature makes silicone oil the ultimate king in the game as outperforms petroleum-based oils by 20 times. Although multiple properties of silicone oil make it a perfect lubricant, such as constant viscosity, heat resistance, and low-temperature resistance, it has poor lubrication where there is steel-to-steel friction. This feature doesn’t limit the use of silicone lubricant in steel-aluminum or steel-bronze parts of different machinery. Phenyl polymers of silicone oil have shown more resistance to radiations than other polymers and more phenyl groups added to the chain add more resistance to radiations. For the same reason, methyl phenyl silicone oil is more resistant to radiation than conventional dimethyl silicone oil. Thanks to its radiation-resistant properties, methyl phenyl silicone oil is used in the high-temperature parts of radiation equipment. Just like its viscosity, the electrical properties of silicone fluid are also constant over a wide variety of electrical frequencies and temperatures. Dielectric breakdown is often an issue encountered with the use of mineral oil products, but silicone oil is much better at handling dielectric breakdown. All the insulating oils absorb moisture which can affect the electrical insulation properties of these oils, silicone oil is no exception here so extra care is needed when using it as an insulation fluid and dehydration of silicone oil is necessary before applying electrical stress.

As of now, we have discussed all the important characteristics of silicone oil and a little overview of the uses of this magnificent fluid, it’s time for a deep discussion about how silicone oil is incorporated into our life.

IS SILICONE OIL SAFE FOR HUMANS?

As we know, Silicone oil is tasteless and colorless.

Does that mean it can be a perfect homicidal substance? Fortunately, it is not because it is not known to be a toxic substance. It is one of the beneficial chemical entities for the human body as it has found its way into various medical procedures. Also, silicone oil is used in a lot of cosmetic products which are applied directly on the skin, so silicone is also known to be beneficial for the skin. Certain drugs also include silicone oil as a basic component or as a vital ingredient for their desirous actions.

A detailed discussion of the medical uses of silicone fluid is given below in one of the paragraphs.

 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SILICONE OILS

Silicone oil is a broad term, and several different types of silicone oil are derived by the polymerization of different groups at the silicone molecule.

  • Polymethyl hydrogen siloxane

Polymethyl hydrogen siloxane oil has found its application in waterproofing and anti-sticking treatment procedures as it is a colorless and odorless oil. It is also used for increasing the durability of certain materials by crosslinking and it also extends the liquid silicone rubber chain. The addition of an epoxy group to polymethyl hydrogen siloxane oil can fairly improve its absorption, reactivity, and coupling properties. Polymethyl hydrogen siloxane oil is used for the treatment of dry-surfaced materials such as fire extinguishing powder to make it more free-flowing and avoid clogging. Sometimes polymethyl hydrogen siloxane oil is used to create a waterproof film over metal surfaces.

  • Amino silicone oil

The introduction of an amino group at one of the methyls in the Poly siloxane chain produces amino silicone oils which are popular in the textile industry. The application of amino silicone oils in textile gives the following properties to the product:

  • Abrasion resistance
  • Elastic feeling
  • Soft Touch feeling
  • Excellent wrinkle recovery
  • Increased durability

Amino Silicone oil can also be used in hair care products such as shampoos. It is highly inflammable so it must be kept away from fire. Amino silicone oil is also used in the textile industry for giving a perfect finish to clothing material. Additionally, they are also being used for manufacturing, silicone emulsions, and also as smoothening agents.

  • Phenyl methyl silicone oil

Phenyl methyl silicone possesses properties like good insulation, high-temperature resistance and low-temperature resistance, and anti-ozone with small surface tension making it very useful in a lot of products.

It is further divided into three groups depending upon the ratio of phenyl groups present and all of them have different applications.

Low Phenyl methyl silicone oil can be used for instruments that often face very low temperatures.

Medium phenyl methyl silicone oil and high phenyl methyl silicone oil are more resistant to higher temperatures and radiations and thus they are used as lubricants.

  • Vinyl silicone oil

Vinyl silicone oil is known to be an intermediate material because it has methyl silicone-like properties which make it suitable for the smoothness and limpness of clothes. Vinyl silicone oil has better solubility with organic material as compared to that methyl silicone oil because of the double bond present in vinyl silicone oil.

Owing to this reactivity, let’s discuss some of the applications of vinyl silicone oil:

  1. It is one of the main ingredients in the manufacturing of liquid silicone rubber. It increases the strength and durability of silicone rubber.
  2. When allowed to react with organic materials, it produces a substance that has better properties than its conventional counterparts.

  • Hydroxy silicone oil

Hydroxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane is a highly active silicone of medium and high-density hydroxy end-blocked Silicone polymer.

As the processing aid for silicone rubber can ameliorate the silicone rubber’s processing performance used as a silicone rubber structure regulator, as a fabric finishing agent, can significantly reduce the polyester thread’s smoothness, sewing capacity, high-temperature resistance, and antistatic performance.

It can make the fabric soft, smooth and elastic, and also give fabric, paper, and leather leakproof, water- and performance. Hydroxy silicone oil is used in hair products for beneficial effects like gloss, shine, and fluffiness. Hydroxy silicone oil has also been used in coating and pigments for providing characteristics such as defoaming effects, anti-convection, and anti-skinning effects.

 

As we have gone through different types of silicone oil, let’s have a closer look at how silicone oil is used in other products:

 1. SILICONE OIL AS PAINT ADDITIVE

Silicone oil/silicone fluid is often used as an additive in paints due to numerous characteristics which are displayed by silicone fluids such as lower surface tension. This property when impacted into paints by silicone oil makes the paint very even on the surface upon which it is being applied. The addition of silicone fluid in paints prevents several film flaws which are common without silicone additives.

silicone oil for paints industry

The following are some features imparted by silicone additives in paints:

  • Reduced Friction

Paint films have significantly higher friction coefficients, but the addition of silicone oil significantly reduces this friction and gives a smooth touch when applied.

  • Increased Durability

The addition of dimethyl silicone oil into paints leads to improvement in the durability of the paint and this particular feature arises due reaction of the methyl group with paint resins. The longer the paint survives on the surface, the better it is for the consumer, so silicone oils bring great value to the paint industry in terms of creating a strong reputation.

  • Water Repellent

As we discussed earlier silicone oil is water-repellent, the same effect is imparted to paints when silicone oil is added to them. Water-repellent property is of ultimate importance for paints, as these paints can be used in aqueous environments such as paints for boats and submarine, also these paints are of utmost importance in tropical areas because they have a more significant amount of moisture in the air than other areas and frequents rains make it water-repellent paints a better choice in saving the metals surfaces and nowadays these paints are used on walls, especially by those having kids.

  • Resistance to Salty Water

Functional groups in silicone oil react with metals and inorganic materials while being a constituent of paint and provide better resistance to salty water and better metal sticking properties. Owing to this resistance to salty water conditions, Paints with silicone oil as an additive are therefore useful on boats, submarines, marine oil drilling equipment, and all other metal structures which are bound to come in contact with marine water for a longer period.

  • Defoaming Effect

Silicone fluids when added to the paint prevent the foam-forming tendency of paints. Certain properties of silicone fluid are particularly important in imparting defoaming characteristics to the paint. These properties include insolubility in water, low chemical reactiveness or high chemical inertness, low surface tension, and high thermal stability. All of these are of sheer importance in defoaming effect. Note that pure silicone oils have relatively lower defoaming abilities than their synthetic derivatives.

  • Reduce the Convection effect

Silicone oil fairly reduces the convection effect when the paint is drying up. The same features help the paints to give a hammer tone finish to the surface as it doesn’t let the convection effect take place.

All of the above features make silicone oil a preferred choice for being used in paints as an additive.

2. SILICONE OIL, THE BEST LUBRICANT

Silicone oils or silicone fluid have proved to be an excellent lubricator for rubber and polymer surfaces and this ability to work as a lubrication agent is due to multiple characteristics of silicone oil which include low friction coefficient, stable viscosity over a variety of temperatures whether low or high. Silicone fluids are much more resistant to chemical decay oxidation, both of these properties allow the silicone oil to add corrosion protection to metal provinces.

Silicone fluid is not a good lubricant where there is steel-to-steel friction but has proven other ways for some other metals. Silicone oils were previously used to cool clutch fan assemblies in cars and other motor-operated vehicles.

3. SILICONE OIL INDUSTRIAL RELEASING AGENT

Releasing agents are substances that are applied to the molds to prevent the substances from sticking to the mold. Silicone oil is known to be one of the magnificent releasing agents. The main property which makes silicone oil a good releasing agent is low surface tension and thermal stability which allows it to spread perfectly over an irregular surface.  Silicone release agents in multiple industries, such as the food processing industry, tire manufacturing industry and die casting industry.

4. SILICONE OIL IN CAR POLISHING

Silicone oil has found its position in the automotive industry as a principal component in car polishes. Silicone oils offer shine and protection to the paint with added benefits of anti-corrosive actions. As silicone oil spreads evenly on the surface and it is transparent, it gives the perfect finish to uneven surfaces. The rubbery characteristic of silicone oil also provides an extra layer of transparent covering which protects the surface of the paint from normal polishes. Silicone oil not only covers the color of the car but can also cover the interior surfaces and even glass.

Silicone oil for car polishing

 

5. COSMETIC USAGE OF SILICONE OIL

Silicone oil is often used in cosmetics, primarily because of its low surface tension. Silicone oil helps the cosmetics to spread evenly onto the skin. Silicone oil in cosmetics locks the moisture coming out of the skin and prevents skin from getting dry and gives a twinkling look that shines on every angle. Lipsticks have silicone oils combined with phenyl group which gives a higher refractive index and helps the glossy appearance of lipstick on lips. Sunscreen lotions also have silicone oil as a primary component as the silicone oil removes stickiness and reduces the amount of oil coming out of the skin.

silicone oil used in cosmetic products

6. SILICONE OIL IN SILICONE SEALANT

Silicone oil is one of the best sealants, containing angle component silicone. In the utility of silicone sealant, thinking about the construction, regularly want to regulate the sealant viscosity, decrease the viscosity of the adhesive, enhance the development drift and the lubrication of the adherents, and consequently the desire of dimethyl silicone oil as a plasticizer. At the identical time, being part of the plasticized agent can cure adhesive complete overall performance improvement, enhance adhesive joints of excessive influence resistance, anti-fatigue overall performance, etc. On the other hand, the addition of plasticizers will affect the different residences of silicone sealant. The tensile electricity of the silica gel decreases step by step with the make bigger quantity of the plasticizer, and the elongation at ruin is increasing.


 7. HYDRAULIC OIL IN AIRCRAFT

Silicone hydraulics has been used in the aircraft industry for a long time and there are multiple advantages of using silicone hydraulic oil. Its high resistance to oxidation and great thermal stability leads to increased life of silicone hydraulics oil and require longer changing intervals making it cost-effective. High anti-wear properties and greater strength of film provided by silicone oil led to the protection of parts of the engine. Moreover, aircraft faces a variety of temperature going into the different layers of the sky and silicone oil can bear low temperatures like -50°C and higher temperatures of 250°C.

silicone oil used for aircraft engines

8. SILICONE EMULSION

When silicone oil is added to an aqueous environment, it results in the production of silicone emulsions. Silicone emulsification significantly reduces the viscosity, and this is sometimes required. The physical properties of silicone emulsion change abruptly after polymerization. Particularly if the viscosity change is needed, polymerization is a great idea. Silicone emulsions don’t have any health-related issue as it is less viscous and generally more aqueous. Silicone emulsions are widely used in the cosmetic industry and are now being used as release agents in the food processing industry to avoid stickiness to molds.

 

9. BREWING INDUSTRY AND SILICONE OIL

Silicone oil is being used in breweries for improving the quality of the beer particularly due to defoaming properties of the silicone oil. The silicone oil which is used in the brewing industry is known as food grade version of silicone oil. It is used in all three key processes of making a beer which are distillation, brewing, and fermentation of the beer.

Silicone oil used in beer industries

10. USAGE IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Silicone oil is an integral part of the textile industry, and it is so much important that some textile owners have started their production of silicone oil. Silicone oil addition to the textile manufacturing process brings in all the qualities needed in a perfect fabric such as a perfectly smooth and soft finish, and waterproofed material. Silicone oil adds a bunch of other characteristics to textile production like flame avoidance, antistatic performance, and color-fixing properties. When silicone oil is added to the dye in the dyeing process, the result is a cool finish. Silicone fluids are also known for increasing the storage time for textiles and also there is the benefit of sharp color appearance.

Silicone oil for textile industry


11. SILICONE OIL AS DEFOAMER

Silicone oil is often used as a defoamer particularly due to the small surface tension offered by it. Other features of defoamers or ant0foaming silicone oil include readily emulsification ability, not reactive at all, increased thermal stability compared to other defoamers, great ability to remove or vanish the foam, and high pH stability (can operate over a wide range of pH). Silicone oil defoamers can be stored for over 12 months if the temperature is kept below 45 Centigrade. Silicone defoamers are used in the oil and gas industry because silicone oil defoamers provide excellent benefits over organic substances. The quantity of silicone oil defoamers needed to achieve a certain defoaming effect is much lower than substances that need much more of it. Silicone oils are often used in little amounts in restaurants for defoaming and anti-stick properties. In such situations, silicone oil is combined with cooking oil for deep frying. Silicone oil should not replace cooking oil entirely as this can become lethal, and it is a very notable health hazard associated with always remembering to use food-grade silicone oil.

12. MEDICAL USES OF SILICONE OIL

Silicone oil has been famously known for its medical importance, although we have discussed in detail how silicone oil is medically used in ophthalmic surgery.

 

medical uses for silicone oil

Let’s have a brief overview again of some of the uses:

  • Ophthalmic Surgery: Silicone fluid tamponades have been used as a replacement for vitreous humor in the posterior chamber of the eye when there is retinal detachment due to several reasons. Silicone fluid when injected into the eye prevent aqueous humor to reach the retina and allows the retina to heal itself. Silicone oil is left in the eye for an extended period of about 3 months or in some cases can be left permanently. Several properties of silicone oil such as viscosity, low friction coefficient, and ability to resist sheer stress make it a perfect candidate for this application.
  •  Drug Delivery System: Recently trials have been conducted in which silicone oil-filled eyes have been shown to uptake more drugs than the normal eye and this pharmacokinetics may significantly improve the use of silicone oil as a drug delivery system for deep eye structures.
  • Medical Instruments Lubrication: Microbe infestations of medical instruments have been a major problem in surgical settings. Nitric Oxide has been known to be incredibly effective against microbes, bacteria in particular. When applied on the surface of medical instruments, silicone oils create a physical barrier between the microbe-infested environment and the tools. A new combination of nitric oxide-releasing silicone oils has been prepared for utilizing both properties of nitric oxide for antibacterial effects and the physical barrier and lubricating effects of silicone oil.
  • Anti-Flatulence Drugs: Silicone oil is used as a component for making drugs that reduce flatulence and it often comes in handy for such situations. Such drugs absorb gas formed inside the intestines.
  • Anti-Dermatitis Drugs: Certain silicone oil-based ointment preparations have been made for providing comfort to dermatitis patients having a burning sensation as silicone oils hold water and keep a check on the skin from getting dry. Silicone oils have also shown some anti-coagulation effects.

WHERE TO BUY SILICONE OIL?

Silicone oil is not a rare entity as it can be found online and in stores all over the U.S. and the same is for other countries, but the problem arises where to buy it in bulk for industrial use. The answer is pretty simple, the country where it produced most abundantly and yes, you guessed it right, Its China. China produces more than half of the silicone oil produced in the world and this is the best place to get your hands on the best quality silicone oil while paying an absolutely rare cost.

 

where to buy silicone oil

Now you might be thinking, why not buy it locally, the answer is pretty simple. High labor costs and pretty denting tasks to produce silicone oil make it pretty expensive and local companies sometimes are not capable of large-scale production.

The next question that might be coming to your mind is where to find these Chinese silicone oil companies. Again, the answer is in your hand. Alibaba might provide you with a lot of companies to buy silicone oil from, but the problem is some of these apparent sellers on Alibaba may not be manufacturers rather they are middle people trying to charge you more than the actual costs and an inexperience buyer may end getting fraud so the best choice to go around looking for silicone oil is Manufacturer companies’ websites.

HENG YI TEK is one of the suppliers of silicone fluids in China and provides its customers with the best quality with authority and truthfulness.

We provide a variety of silicone oil and related products; you can check by clicking down below on the list:

● SILICONE OIL SILICONE FLUID HY201

● VOLATILE SILICONE OIL HY-101, 2 CST DIMETHYL SILICONE OIL

● SILICONE DEFOAMER HY-8208

● SILICONE DEFOAMER AGENT HY8201

● SILICONE LEVELING AGENT HY1284

 

 

You can contact Heng Yi Tek for quotes and further details through email, WhatsApp, or phone number. Our sales will get in touch with you about our products and delivery time-related information.

silicone coating

Where and How Silicone can be used?

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Silicone is one element that is very abundant and is top second on Earth, which is 25.8% on the earth’s surface. Most people know the function of metal silicone. Silicon semiconductor materials have boosted the development of the modern electronic industry. In addition, silicate-based inorganic silicon compounds are widely existing in nature, which is very convenient to use. Over thousands of years, people use silicone-related materials to produce cement, glass, ceramics, and other products.

Inorganic silicone compounds have been applied very early to produce products such as glass and ceramics. But organic silicone compounds do not exist in nature. It is mainly by synthesis and was synthesized around 50 years ago. Since industrialization in the 1940s, organic silicone compounds have developed rapidly.

Organic silicon, also known as silicone or siloxane, is a siloxane organic polymer cross-linked from silicon and oxygen. It has good characteristics with excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, oxidation resistance, and electrical insulation, which are not available from other general organic polymers. Among the organic silicon compounds, Poly siloxane has wide applications with its special structural characteristics.

 

Silicone materials are mainly divided into silicone oil (Dimethicone/PDMS/ Dimethyl Silicone Fluid, silicone defoamer, silicone leveling agent, polyether-modified silicone oil), silicone rubber, silicone resin, and silane coupling agent, etc. And there are various silicone material-related products. For example, Dow Corning has more than 4000 kinds of types of silicone materials.  If converted into Poly siloxane, the total global consumption of various silicone products is about 650,000 tons, which accounts for 0.65% of the global total output of different synthetic resin products. In addition, the sales amount of silicone products is as high as $6.5 billion, which accounts for 7% of the global total sales amount of different synthetic resin products.

Silicone can be widely used in the production of silicone fluid, agriculture silicone adjuvant, advanced lubricants, adhesives, dielectric oil, adhesives, paint, anti-foaming agents, gasket, seals as well as spare parts for rockets and missiles. In recent years, silicone material has been applied gradually from military or national defense to people’s daily life. Products for daily application include conductive buttons for computers, mobile phones, and electrical keyboards; contact lenses, swimming glasses, and swimming caps; nipple; silicone sealants for curtainwalls; finishing agent for high-end leather or fabric; silicone oil for shampoo. Silicone material has become a necessary part of people’s daily life. It also becomes a new chemical material with development on its rise.

 

silicone coating

With the prospects of silicone material, many developed countries put silicone materials as one of the most important new materials for the key development of the new century. Organic silicon is new material itself, meanwhile, it is also the new material foundation for the development of related industrial areas. Given the changing nature of organic silicon material and with the characteristics of small volume wide application, it is reputed as the catalyst for scientific and technological development. In the silicone industry, only a few upstream enterprises are on a large scale and most of them are small and medium-sized private enterprises engaged in the production of consumer products and additives.

Main silicone products and their applications

Silicone materials are mainly grouped into four categories: silicone oil with its secondary processing products, silicone rubber, silicone resin, and silane coupling agent. It is known as industrial MSG as silicone products have the properties of electrical insulation, corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, flame resistance, high and low-temperature resistance as well as physiological inertia. They are widely applied in building materials, electronic and electrical products, light industry, textile, plastics, rubber, machinery, transportation, medical and other industries. At present, the global annual production capacity of silicone products has reached more than 1.2 million tons. There are around 5,000 to 10,000 products, and the total market sales can reach US $7 billion.

Among the more than 10,000 kinds of silicone products can be roughly divided into three categories: raw materials, intermediates, and products. Silicone monomer refers to organic silicon polymer monomers synthesized by organic chlorosilane, such as raw materials like benzene chlorosilane, methyl chlorosilane, vinyl dichlorosilane, and some other materials.

Organic silicon intermediates refer to line-type or ring-type siloxane oligomers, such as octamethyl cyclotetra siloxane (D4), hexamethyldisilane (MM), dimethyl cyclosilane mixture (DMC), etc. Silicone products are the products produced by the polymerization reaction with add of inorganic fillers or modified additives. It mainly includes silicone rubber (high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber), silicone oil and its secondary processing products, silicone resin, and silane coupling agent. And through the sulfur molding process, silicone rubber can be made into conductive keys, seal gaskets, swimming caps, and many other consumer products.

Silicone monomer

Although there are many varieties of silicone products, its starting raw materials for production are limited to a few organic silicon monomers. The top amount is trimethylchlorosilane, followed by phenyl chlorosilane. In addition, trimethylchlorosilane, ethyl and propyl chlorosilane, vinyl chlorosilane, etc., are also necessary raw materials in the production of silicone products.

The production of silicon monomers is not complicated. The main raw material for silicon monomer is silicon block, methanol, and hydrogen chloride. At present, methyl hydrochloride monomer is synthesized in a boiling bed reactor. Silicon powder and chloromethane are reacted under a catalyst at a high temperature which makes a methyl hydrochloride mixture. And through efficient fractionation, the target fraction is obtained. Silicone monomers are made by hydrolysis, lysis, and condensation to get different products. With silicon monomer as the raw material and using different polymerization means and processes, different silicone products can be produced by adding various fillers and additives. The basic raw materials for the production of silicone oil, silicone rubber, silicone resin, and silane coupling agent are different kinds of organic silicon monomers. From these basic silicone monomers, thousands of organic silicon products can be produced. Organic silicon monomers mainly include methyl chlorosilane (methyl-monomer), phenyl chlorosilane (benzene-monomer), methyl vinyl chlorosilane, vinyl trichlorosilane, ethyl trichlorosilane, propyl trichlorosilane, γ-chloropropyl trichlorosilane, and fluor silane monomer. Among them, methyl chlorosilane accounts for the top amount, which is 90% of the total monomer, followed by phenyl chlorosilane.

Organo chlorosilane (methyl chlorosilane, phenyl chlorosilane, vinyl chlorosilane) is the basis of the whole silicone industry, and methyl chlorosilane is the pillar in the organic silicone industry. Most of the silicone polymers are Poly dimethyl siloxane made from trimethylchlorosilane. After adding other groups such as phenyl, vinyl, chlorophenyl, fluoroalkyl, etc., the product can meet special needs. The production process of methyl chlorosilane is very long and difficult for production technicians. This industry is technology-intensive and capital-intensive. Therefore, the basic manufacturing site of the major foreign companies is on a large scale and under centralized construction.  While the manufacturing of the downstream product is distributed as per their use and market conditions.

The key to the development of any polymer material is monomer technology development. The feature of the silicone industry is that the monomer production is concentrated, and the further process of silicone products are in different places. Therefore, the production of monomers plays an important role in the silicone industry. And the level of monomer production is a direct reflection of the development of the silicone industry. 

Silicone intermediates

Organic silicon monomers can be made into different silicone intermediates by hydrolysis (or lysis) and lysis. Silicone intermediates are the direct raw material to form silicone rubber, silicone oil, and silicone resin. Silicone intermediates include hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane(D3), octa-ethyl cyclic tetrasiloxane (D4), hexamethyldisilane (MM), dimethyl cyclosiloxane mixture (DMC), and other linear or cyclic dioxide series.

 Silicone rubber

Silicone rubber is one of the important products among silicone polymers. Among all rubber, silicone rubber can work under a wide temperature range, from -100℃~350℃. It is excellent in high and low-temperature resistance. According to its ionization mechanism, silicone rubber has three categories: organic peroxide-induced free radical crosslinking type (High temperature vulcanized silicone), condensation reaction type (Room temperature vulcanized silicone), and addition reaction type. High-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (HTV): thermal vulcanized silicone rubber is also called high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber. All the direct chain siloxane with molecular weight between 500,000-800,000 is grouped as high-temperature vulcanized rubber. Usually, gum can be made with octa ethyl cyclo tetrasiloxane (D4) as the main raw material and get polymerized under the catalysis of acid or alkali. Then with oxides as a crosslinking agent and combined with different additives (such as reinforcing filler, thermal stabilizer, structural control agent, etc.), it can be made into homogeneous rubber additives. Various rubber products can be vulcanized by molding, extrusion or calendaring, etc.,

Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) and addition reaction silicone rubber (LSR). Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber refers to the one which uses low molecular weight active Poly Organo siloxane as the base material and can be formed with the crosslinker and catalyst at room temperature.

Addition reaction silicone rubber refers to the silicone rubber which is made under the addition reaction with the platinum compound as catalyst. It has no by-products during the reaction. Usually, it is composed by vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, silicone resin, low molecular weight polymethyl hydro siloxane, a platinum catalyst, and reaction inhibitor, etc., It is also known as liquid silicone rubber or LSR. Usually, additional reactive silicone rubber is also vulcanized at room temperature (medium temperature), so it is also classified as room temperature sulfide silicone rubber. The above two of these are referred to as room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber.

 

Room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber has a low molecular weight (from 10,000 to 80,000), and it is a viscous liquid. As per different package forms, it can be divided into single-component RTV silicone rubber and two-component RTV silicone rubber. Single-component RTV silicone rubber mixes the raw rubber evenly with filler, crosslinker, or catalyst in anhydrous conditions. And it will react with the moisture in the atmosphere after opening. While two-component RTV silicone rubber usually puts the raw rubber and crosslinker agent or catalyst in separate packages. They will link together when mixed in a certain ratio. Its reaction is not related to moisture.

Silicone Oil or Silicone Fluid

silicone oil is a kind of Poly siloxane liquid oil with different viscosity. It is not toxic, not corrosive, has no smell, and is not easy to burn. According to the chemical structure, silicone oil can be divided into methyl silicone oil, phenyl silicone oil, ethyl silicone oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, methyl chlorophenyl silicone oil, methyl phenyl silicone oil, methyl ethoxy silicone oil, and methyl trifluoro propane, etc., Among them, methyl silicone oil is the top item. By changing the polymerization degree of Poly siloxane and the type of organic group, or making Poly siloxane polymerized with other organic compounds, silicone oil with different properties can be made, such as waterproofing, anti-adhesion, demolding or defoaming. Silicone oil can also be grouped into linear silicone oil and modified silicone oil.

Silicone oil has many special properties. Its features include low viscosity-temperature coefficient, antioxidant resistance, good resistance to high and low temperature, high flash point, excellent insulation, low volatility, low surface tension, no corrosion to the metal, non-toxic, etc., With these properties, silicone oil has excellent effects in different applications. Among all kinds of silicone oils, methyl silicone oil is the most widely applied and is the most important type followed by methyl phenyl silicone oil. Different functional silicone oils and modified silicone oils are mainly used for special purposes.

 

silicone potting

Silicone resin

Silicone resin is a semi-inorganic polymer with silicon-oxygen-silicon as the main chain and with silicon atoms cross-linked with organic groups. It emerged along with the silicone monomer produced by the silicone monomer. Its production is a half year ahead of silicone oil and silicone rubber.

Silicone resin has outstanding weather resistance, which is better than any other organic resin. Even under strong ultraviolet irradiation, silicone resin still has good yellowing resistance. Silicone also has superior dielectric properties. The property can remain stable in a wide range of temperatures, humidity, and frequency. In addition, it also has good oxidation resistance, irradiation resistance, smoke resistance, waterproof, mildew prevention, and other characteristics.

 

Silane coupling agent

The general formula of the silane coupling agent can be Y-R-SiX3. X and Y are two active groups with different reaction characteristics. X is easy to bind strongly with clay, glass, silica, metal, and metal oxides, while Y is easy to bind with resin and rubber in organic material. With both functional groups that can have a good reaction with organic and inorganic material, a silane coupling agent can bond organic and inorganic material together to reach satisfactory bonding. According to the number of hydrolyzed groups (X groups) connected to silicon atoms, the silane coupling agents can be divided into two groups: trifunctional and difunctional types. In recent years, the production of silane coupling agents is controlled by several giant companies. To form a monopoly, every company has named its product types, and for the same product, there are various names and types on the market. Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) is the world’s largest silane coupling agent manufacturer and has the largest number of product varieties. Silane coupling agent was first developed as a glass fiber treatment agent for glass fiber-reinforced plastics. The silane coupling agent has improved the adhesion between the glass fiber and the resin, thus the mechanical properties of the reinforced plastics are significantly improved. With the rapid development of composites, silane coupling agent also develops rapidly both in variety and output. In recent years, silane coupling agent has adopted some specific functional groups and this can improve the surface properties of materials, which get new properties such as antimildew, antistatic, anticoagulation, and physiological inert. This has become a new application for silane coupling agents. Along with the new development, silane coupling agents become an important branch of organic silicone.

Development history of silicone

All compounds containing Si-C bonds are generally called organic silicon compounds. Those that connect organic groups like oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen to silicon atoms are also regarded as organic silicon compounds. Among them, the Poly siloxane composed of silicone oxygen bond (-Si-0-Si-) accounts for the top amount in silicone compounds. It is the most studied and widely applied type in silicone compounds, which is more than 90% of the total. Silicone material has both properties of organic materials and inorganic materials. It has many good properties such as high and low-temperature resistance, ozone resistance, electrical insulation, radiation resistance, flame retardant, water resistance, non-toxic and physiological inertia, and other excellent characteristics. The silicone material is widely applied in electrical, electronics, construction, chemical, textile, medical and other industries. The main functions of silicone include sealing, adhesion, encapsulation, lubrication, coating, lamination, surface activity, releasing, anti-foaming, crosslinking, waterproofing, penetrating, insertion and filling, etc. With the continuous development of the quantity and varieties of silicone material, it has become one of the most important materials in the new chemical material field. Many varieties of silicone are unable to be replaced by other chemicals.

 

silicone factory

Different phases of silicone chemistry

Beginning period: In 1863, French scientists Fiddle and Kraft heated silicon tetrachloride and zinc diethyl to 160℃ in a sealing tube and synthesized the first silicone compound, which is tetraethyl silane with Si-C bonds. Since then, much more tetraethyl silane derivatives have been synthesized. The forty years from 1863 to 1903 was the founding period of silicone chemistry, which was also referred to as the first phase

 

Growing period: From 1904 to 1937, there are many simple silicone compounds were synthesized. Meanwhile, some ring and linear Poly siloxane (with-Si-0-Si-bonds as the backbone). From the theoretical aspect, the synthesis of asymmetric silicon atomic compounds has been started, which created circumstances for the study of silicone photoactive isoforms. These 30 years were referred to as the growing period of silicone chemistry, which is also called the second phase.

Development period: Chemist Hyde from Corning as well as Patnode and Rojo from General Electronics realized that silicone polymer would have a good future, and they have actively improved the synthesis of silicone monomer. This helped the industrialization of silicone. In particular, Rojo invented the direct synthesis method for methyl chlorosilane in 1941. This was a revolution in the production of silicone and was a good foundation for the large-scale production of silicone compounds. In the 1940s, when some of the major countries realized industrialization, the equilibrium reaction methods of Poly organic siloxane were invented. And a complete system of industrial technologies was established. Different types of silicone oil, silicone rubber, silicone resin, and silane coupling agent with excellent performance have emerged. The development of the silicone industry was accelerated. The period from 1938 to1965 was called the third phase.

Boom period: Since 1966, further, consolidating, developing, improving, and utilizing the existing achievements, silicone was also developing in the new field. Some compounds which were impossible to make can also be synthesized. One of the groups with the fastest development is silicon —— metal bonding compounds. Especially chemical products formed by silicon and transition elements, and this has more practical value. And silicone chemistry has yielded fruitful results. So, the period from 1966 has been called the fourth phase.

 

The development of science has promoted the development of production and construction. And the production in turn has new requirements for scientific research. In many industries, thermal resistance is needed. But normal organic polymers cannot meet the demands. Natural silicate is long known but its -Si-0-Si- bond is fragile. Therefore, chemists introduced silicon atoms with an organic group, which can make them a linear structure or low-degree crosslinked polymer. Thus, the silicone material can form flexible or elastic material, and the application would be further enlarged. The study on Organo Poly siloxane also started. Chemist Hyde from Corning Glass first combined silicone and polymer chemistry and gained experience in silicone polymerization. Under his guidance, silicone resin was produced for electronic insulated glass cloth. From 1938 and 1941, Hyde and his collaborators developed many more Poly organic siloxane products. Meanwhile, Dow Chemical also started the study and production of Poly organic siloxane. In 1942, a dimethyl silicone oil and toluene silicone pilot plant was established.

In 1943, Dow combined with Corning glass and established the world-famous Dow-Corning Chemical. They built the synthetic Poly siloxane factory in Midland. And soon they developed DC4 ignition sealing material, which was applied on aerial aircraft in World War II. Then Dow Corning Chemical gradually became one of the world’s largest professional manufacturers of silicone products.

In the past 20 years, the application of silicone technology has achieved a brilliant level. Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and silane coupling agents got comprehensive development. Silicone polymer for biological and medical use also emerged. Now, many more silicone compounds were invented for a wide application. Many impossible things can be realized now due to the development of silicone material

 

From an annual output of 10,000 tons in 1997 to about 850,000 tons per year in 2015, methyl chlorosilane has a rapid development, which is top among all the monomers. In the future, with methyl chlorosilane production capacity increasing, the organic silicon industry will have further development in technology, with both capacity and quality getting onto a new level.