There are significant differences between liquid silicone and silicone gel in physical state, processing method, core characteristics, and application fields. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Physical state and processing method
Liquid silicone: It is a liquid rubber with fluidity and can be processed by injection molding (LIM). Its molding equipment is a two-component liquid silicone feeder and injection molding machine with a platen type, which is suitable for the production of high-precision and complex structural products.
Silicone gel: After curing, it is a jelly-like soft elastomer with a naturally sticky surface. Its processing methods include manual operation and mechanical operation (such as silicone injection machine). After mixing the AB components, it is extruded and perfused, and can be physically bonded to most substrates without primer.
2. Core characteristics
Liquid silicone:
Temperature resistance: It can maintain stable performance in the temperature range of -50℃ to 250℃.
Physical properties: It has excellent transparency, tear strength, resilience, anti-yellowing, thermal stability, water resistance and breathability.
Vulcanization characteristics: fast vulcanization speed, safety and environmental protection, and can fully meet food grade requirements.
Replication ability: Linear shrinkage rate ≤ 0.1%, can accurately replicate product size.
Silicone gel:
Temperature resistance: can maintain elasticity for a long time in the temperature range of -60℃ to 230℃.
Physical and chemical properties: It has excellent electrical properties and chemical stability, is resistant to water, ozone, weathering, hydrophobic, moisture-proof, shock-proof, and non-corrosive.
Viscosity characteristics: The surface is naturally sticky after curing, has physical adhesion to most substrates, and the viscosity has regenerative properties.
Operation characteristics: low viscosity, easy to use, does not contain solid fillers, fully transparent, and convenient for observing potting components. It can be repeatedly operated, repairable, highly flexible, and has extremely low shrinkage.
3. Application areas
Liquid silicone:
Medical industry: used to manufacture medical devices such as catheters, seals, artificial organs, etc., due to its biocompatibility and high temperature resistance.
Electronics industry: used as sealing materials to protect electronic components from dust, moisture and chemical erosion, such as waterproof seals for smartphones, packaging materials for LED lights, etc.
Automotive industry: used for seals, gaskets and shock-absorbing elements, capable of withstanding high temperatures and harsh environments.
Consumer goods industry: used for baby products, kitchenware, smart wearable devices, such as baby pacifiers, baking molds, smart watch straps, etc.
Silicone gel:
Electronic component potting: used for potting protection of precision electronic components, sanitary ware, backlight sources, solar energy, connectors, etc., as well as potting protection of power modules and other electronic components.
Human health products: used to make silicone breast pads, silicone breast stickers and other simulated human products for women, as well as silicone foot stickers, silicone foot stickers, silicone insoles, silicone cushions and other human health equipment.
Special product potting: due to its super soft properties and viscosity, it is also suitable for potting materials for some special products, such as groove potting for high-efficiency air filters.