What is the difference between liquid and solid silicone?

Liquid silicone and solid silicone can be distinguished by physical appearance, the field of use, and the molding method.

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The different appearance between liquid silica gel and solid

There are two physical appearance differences between what we usually call silica gel, one is flowing liquid and the other is solid.

1, Liquid silica gel is in a liquid state and has fluidity. It is a highly transparent and safe food-grade material. It does not add auxiliary materials such as vulcanizing agents during molding and is sealed for molding.

2, The solid silica gel is in a solid state and has no fluidity. It is also a transparent and environmentally friendly material. When curing, it is necessary to add a vulcanizing agent to speed up the vulcanization molding time, and open-mold injection molding.

The difference between liquid silica gel and solid

1, Liquid silicone is generally used in baby products, kitchen supplies, adult products, and medical supplies. It can directly contact food and the human body. Products such as silicone pacifiers, baby bottles, tooth gels, silicone pads, ice trays, cake molds, diving Mirrors, artificial human organs, medical silicone chest pads, silicone dolls, mobile cases, silicone medical balloons, silicone cable ties, etc.

2, Solid silicone is generally used in daily necessities and industrial miscellaneous parts and automotive accessories, products such as buttons, silicone gifts, silicone bracelets, silicone watches, key cases, fingertip gyro, etc.

3, Safety of liquid silica gel and solid silica gel: Liquid silica gel is a highly transparent and safe food-grade material. It does not add auxiliary materials such as vulcanizing agents during molding and is sealed for molding. Solid silica gel is a transparent material. When curing, it is necessary to add a curing agent to speed up the curing time.

The difference between the process method of liquid silica gel and solid silica gel

Liquid silicone is injection molding liquid silicone rubber (LSR): its full name is injection molding liquid silicone rubber, and vulcanization equipment is an injection molding machine.

The injection molding machine has a very simple process (no need for manual processes such as batching, rubber mixing, cutting, and placing in the high-temperature glue process, only one worker needs to take the product), and the product has high accuracy (all manual procedures before molding All are replaced by machines), high output (A/B glue mixed at a temperature of 130 degrees for a few seconds), many advantages such as saving labor, electricity, and materials, can produce all products produced by high-temperature glue.

Liquid silica gel is generally used in the industry to make sodium sol from sodium silicate by the ion exchange method. It is a translucent milky white liquid with high stability. The silica sol becomes a porous solid after drying.

Liquid silicone molding process

1, Compound rubber: This ready-to-use material can be colored and catalyzed according to your processing equipment and end-use.

2, Base material: This type of silicone polymer also contains reinforcing fillers. The rubber base can be further mixed with pigments and additives to form a compound rubber to meet your color and other manufacturing requirements.

3, Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR): This two-component liquid rubber system can be pumped into a suitable injection molding equipment and then heat-cured into a molded rubber part.

4, Fluorosilicone rubber compound and base material: Fluorosilicone rubber maintains many key properties of silicone. In addition, it has excellent chemical resistance, fuel and oil resistance.

The main chain of rhenium is a synthetic rubber composed of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with organic groups on the silicon atoms. The organic group in the molecule may be -CH3, -C2H3, or -C6H5, etc., and is correspondingly called methyl, vinyl, or methyl phenyl silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is a special rubber that is resistant to high and low temperatures (-60 to 250 ° C), resistant to ozone, and has good electrical insulation properties.

Organic silicone rubber is a special synthetic elastomer produced by mixing linear polysiloxane with reinforcing filler and vulcanizing under heat and pressure. It perfectly balances mechanical and chemical properties, so it can meet many of today&#;s demanding applications.

Solid silicone molding process

(1) In the industry, solid silica gel uses water glass (sodium silicate) as raw material, hydrolyzed to form a gel in an acidic medium, and then made into silica gel through aging, washing, drying, and other processes. According to the difference in water content, it is half. Transparent or white solid. Commercially available products include irregular granular, spherical, and microspherical silica gels, which are often used as catalyst carriers in fluidized bed operations.

(2) When used as catalyst support, silica gel is usually immersed in a solution containing a catalytically active component, the solution is absorbed in the pores of the silica gel, and the active component is distributed on the surface of the silica gel after drying, activation and other procedures. The pore structure of silica gel has an important influence on the properties of the prepared supported catalyst, such as the pore volume and pore size distribution of silica gel. Traditionally, silica gels with an average pore size of less than 15-20 are referred to as fine-pored silica gels, and those with an average pore size greater than 40-50 are referred to as coarse-pored silica gels.

(3) However, the pore structure is not conducive to the diffusion of reactant molecules, but it will reduce the utilization of the internal surface of the catalyst, and the product molecules generated at the depth of the pores will not easily escape from the pores, and it is easy to cause deep side reactions.

The pore structure of silica gel is related to the manufacturing method and conditions, such as gelation, aging, pH, temperature, time during washing, etc. The commercially available silicone can be reamed by a reaming process.

The common method is to place it in an autoclave and add water or a salt-containing aqueous solution (such as sodium carbonate, or sodium acetate) for hot pressing. For example, hot pressing at 320 ° C and 10 MPa can make the specific surface area and average pore diameter respectively The 135 m2 / g and 123 silica gels became 26.9 m2 / g and 508.

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Liquid silicone is the form that most types of silicone sealant come in for easy application. In its liquid form, silicone sealant can easily adhere to multiple surfaces and create a strong seal between items.

However, to get the desired result, you&#;ll need to know how to use liquid silicone sealant properly. Here&#;s everything you need to know to start your liquid silicone project.

The Basics of Liquid Silicone

Liquid silicone is also known as silicone liquid or liquid silicone rubber (LSR) material. It&#;s an advanced, versatile material with a wide range of applications across various industries. Silicone rubber has numerous unique properties that make it a preferred choice of materials in certain manufacturing processes.

To fully understand the basics of this material, we must take a closer look at its composition. This blend of silicone, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen is what results in a flexible and heat-resistant material.

One key characteristic of liquid silicone sealant is its liquidity, which allows for precise application and molding. This attribute is particularly advantageous in creating fine-detail products. The ability to capture intricate designs makes it an excellent solution in situations that require precision. One example is the production of specialized silicone rubber parts.

Whether used as liquid silicone glue or in the production of LSR parts, the material&#;s adaptability and fine detailing capabilities make silicone liquid a go-to solution for various industrial needs. As we dig a little deeper into the traits and characteristics of liquid silicone rubber, we&#;ll discover some insights about optimizing it for specific applications.

Room Temperature Curing Process

The room-temperature curing process for liquid silicone is a key advantage, which is different from manufacturing applications. Unlike more traditional curing methods that require elevated temperatures or continual air flow, liquid silicone can cure at a normal room temperature range. This reduces overall energy consumption and enhances the silicone material&#;s properties, ensuring a high-performance end result.

To initiate the room-temperature curing process, apply the liquid silicone to the desired areas and ensure even coverage. The material&#;s self-leveling properties will help achieve uniformity, enhancing its adaptability to different surfaces and silicone molds. Once applied, cure silicone rubber at room temperature. There is no need for external high heat sources or high temperatures.

Monitoring the curing process is essential to achieving optimal results. Factors such as humidity, ventilation, and the thickness of the applied silicone will influence the curing time. Be sure to check the material for firmness and tackiness to gauge its progress.

Fine Detailing and High-Performance Considerations

Liquid silicone&#;s viscosity allows for meticulous application, capturing intricate designs with precision. The material&#;s self-leveling characteristics help ensure that molds are filled without imperfections.

In high-performance scenarios, liquid silicone exhibits exceptional endurance, flexibility, and adaptability to different environments. Its ability to maintain structural integrity under stress and provide durability makes it a top choice for applications demanding reliability and longevity.

In highly detailed and high-performance instances, liquid silicone is a versatile material in diverse manufacturing settings.

Best Practices for Silicone Liquid Glue

Silicone liquid glue offers unparalleled bonding strength and flexibility, which distinguishes it from traditional adhesives. Best practices for its application involve scrupulous surface preparation, ensuring the bonding surfaces are clean and dry.

Apply the silicone liquid glue evenly, taking care to avoid excess that may compromise adhesion. Allow sufficient curing time, and adhere to the recommended guidelines for optimal bonding strenth.

Consider the specific needs of the materials being bonded and choose the appropriate silicone liquid glue formulation. Monitoring environmental conditions like temperature and humidity is also crucial to ensure the curing process occurs naturally.

Following these best practices ensures effective and durable bonding with silicone liquid glue.

Techniques for Complex Designs

For complex or intricate designs and situations, begin by employing a well-crafted mold design that can accommodate intricate details. For this, you might consider using multi-piece molds or employing advanced 3D-printing technologies for complex geometries.

Thoroughly degas the liquid silicone to eliminate air bubbles. Employ a slow, controlled pouring technique to prevent air entrapment. Post-curing processes, such as gentle heat application, can further enhance the material&#;s flexibility and detail retention.

These techniques collectively contribute to the successful realization of more complex designs, making liquid silicone a versatile choice for applications demanding precise molding.

Elevate Your Projects with Liquid Silicone Excellence

Mastering the art of using liquid silicone unlocks a world of possibilities in manufacturing, from fine detailing to high-performance applications. The material&#;s versatility, room-temperature curing, and adaptability make it a vital tool in various industries.

For quality silicone products and expert guidance, explore the offerings at Silicone Depot. Make sure you have the right equipment for your next job. Let Silicone Depot be your trusted partner in realizing the full potential of liquid silicone.

Browse our selection of premium silicone products today to find exactly what you need for your next project. 

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