Differences in Applications Between Liquid Silicone Rubber and Silicone
In the expansive field of material science, Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and silicone are two major branches of silicone-based polymers, each known for their unique physical and chemical properties and broad range of applications.
1. Comparison of Material Characteristics
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR):
Liquid silicone rubber, officially known as liquid injection molding silicone rubber, is a liquid material in contrast to solid high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber. It has excellent flowability, fast curing, and is more environmentally friendly and safe, fully meeting food-grade requirements. During molding, LSR requires no additional curing agents, and the material maintains high transparency and safety. Additionally, LSR exhibits superior tear resistance, rebound elasticity, yellowing resistance, and thermal stability, making it ideal for producing high-precision, high-demand products.
Silicone:
Silicone, primarily composed of silicon dioxide, is a highly active adsorbent material. It is an amorphous substance that is insoluble in water or any solvents, non-toxic, odorless, and chemically stable. Silicone has a strong adsorption capacity and can cause skin dryness upon contact, so protective measures are recommended during handling. Widely used in sealing materials, thermal insulation, medical devices, and food molds, silicone's resistance to high and low temperatures, solvents, toughness, adhesion, and electrical insulation make it versatile across different environments.
2. Differences in Application Areas
Applications of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR):
Thanks to its unique material properties, LSR has a broad range of applications. In baby products and kitchenware, LSR products are favored for their safety, environmental friendliness, and non-toxic properties, allowing direct contact with food and the human body. In the medical field, LSR is used in medical tubing, seals, and other components due to its biocompatibility and excellent physical properties. LSR is also widely applied in making trademarks, products, nipples, coatings, dipping, potting, and in electronics for moisture protection, transportation, insulation coatings, and encapsulation.
Applications of Silicone:
Similarly, silicone has a wide application scope, covering consumer goods, industrial components, and automotive parts. Silicone products like seals, gaskets, and kitchenware are popular due to their heat, cold, and solvent resistance, allowing stable performance in harsh environments. In medical devices, silicone components like medical tubes and seals are trusted for their safety and biocompatibility. Additionally, silicone is used in transparent seals and optical components, providing a unique advantage as it does not affect light transmission.
3. Differences in Manufacturing and Processing
Manufacturing and Processing of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR):
The preparation of LSR involves mixing raw materials, injection molding, and vulcanization. The process uses injection molding machines, characterized by rapid molding and high production efficiency. LSR is particularly suitable for manufacturing products with complex structures, enabling the creation of high-precision and highly complex items.
Manufacturing and Processing of Silicone:
The production of silicone is relatively complex and involves mixing raw materials, molding, and vulcanization. Silicone products can be molded using various techniques, such as pressure molding and compression molding. The processing method and vulcanization conditions are chosen based on the specific product requirements. Although the molding speed of silicone products is relatively slower, they can be made with excellent physical properties and have a wide range of applications.
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and silicone differ significantly in terms of material properties, application fields, and manufacturing processes. LSR's excellent flowability, fast curing, and safety make it uniquely advantageous in baby products, kitchenware, medical devices, and electronics. Meanwhile, silicone, with its heat resistance, cold resistance, and solvent resistance, finds widespread use in sealing materials, thermal insulation, medical devices, and household items. In practical applications, the appropriate material should be chosen based on specific needs and scenarios to fully leverage its performance advantages.