Preventing liquid silicone from clumping can be done from multiple aspects such as storage, operation and environmental control. Here are some specific methods:
1. Storage
Temperature control:
Liquid silicone may solidify between 15℃ and 30℃, so the silicone should be stored at room temperature or in a constant temperature box to maintain a suitable temperature to prevent the silicone from solidifying.
Avoid high temperature exposure to prevent the silicone from accelerating solidification due to excessive temperature.
Environmental requirements:
The storage environment should be ventilated, cool, dry, and sealed to prevent impurities from mixing and the silicone from getting damp.
The container for liquid silicone should be tightly covered with a barrel lid to ensure sealing.
Storage time:
The storage time of liquid silicone should not be too long. It is recommended to use unopened silicone within 6 months. If it is well sealed after opening, it should be used up within 2 months.
2. Operation
Mixing ratio:
For two-component liquid silicone (such as AB silicone), A and B must be mixed strictly according to the ratio. Any slight error may cause the silicone to not cure or cure incompletely, resulting in clumping.
Stir evenly:
When mixing agent A and agent B, use appropriate tools to stir thoroughly to ensure that the two components are completely fused. Uneven stirring may also cause incomplete curing of the silicone.
Avoid pollution:
During operation, liquid silicone should be prevented from contacting environmentally unfriendly substances, such as substances containing sulfur, tin, lead, amines and other materials, which may cause silicone poisoning and failure to cure.
At the same time, silicone should also be prevented from directly contacting UV resin, polyurethane, photosensitive resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated resin, organic tin catalytic silicone, sludge, etc., which may inhibit the curing reaction of silicone.
3. Environmental control
Avoid secondhand smoke:
When operating liquid silicone, avoid contact with secondhand smoke, and do not directly touch silicone with hands contaminated with cigarettes.
Purify the operating environment:
Organic compounds such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, as well as ionic compounds containing alkynes and polyvinyl compounds or elements such as Pb, As, Hg, and Sn should be avoided in the operating environment. These substances may also inhibit the curing reaction of silicone.
In summary, preventing liquid silicone from clumping requires multiple aspects such as storage, operation and environmental control. By strictly controlling these conditions, the clumping of liquid silicone can be effectively avoided to ensure its quality and performance.