There are many soft products such as cushions and anti-slip covers in our lives, which are generally made of sponge. However, the raw materials of sponges are toxic, and there are too many gaps in the sponge, which is easy to breed bacteria and mites. If they are made into daily necessities, long-term contact with the human body will endanger health. In order to solve this problem, many businesses have begun to use foamed silicone to replace sponges to make products.
Foamed silicone is a polymer compound with excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, corrosion resistance, high elasticity and waterproof properties. Foamed silicone products are an important industrial material with good physical properties and application prospects.
Foamed silicone, also known as addition-type silicone, is based on silicone rubber, with auxiliary agents such as foaming agents and vulcanizers. It is heated and vulcanized under pressure to expand the rubber to form a sponge-like pore structure.
The production process technology of silicone foaming is complex and requires a series of process flows, mixing-degassing-foaming-curing. Each link needs to be strictly controlled, and the processes at different stages will affect the finished products of silicone foaming.
Foamed silicone products are non-toxic, odorless, safe and hygienic environmentally friendly materials.
- High elasticity: Silicone foam products have good elasticity and resilience, and can effectively reduce shock and sound.
- High temperature resistance: Silicone foam products can withstand high temperatures, and will not deform or age even if used in high temperature environments for a long time.
- Corrosion resistance: Silicone foam products are not easily eroded and corroded by chemicals, and have good corrosion resistance.
- Waterproof: Silicone foam products can effectively waterproof and protect the safety and stability of equipment and products.
- Heat insulation: The thermal conductivity of silicone foam products is low, which can effectively reduce the loss of energy alternation.
With the continuous development and updating of foaming technology and the superior characteristics of its materials, the application fields are becoming more and more extensive, such as sealing strips, cushions, construction gaskets, vibration isolation materials, protective equipment, etc.
Foamed silicone products can be customized according to the structure, specifications, length, size, shape, hardness, color of the required finished product, as well as the special needs of the drawings.
The processing and molding methods of silicone foam products include extrusion molding, compression molding, injection molding, etc.
- Extrusion molding: The product shape is squeezed out by a machine, which is a long strip or tubular shape and is shaped by high temperature. Representative products include: foam silicone tubes, foam silicone sealing strips, and the post-processing can be cutting, bonding, weaving, spraying, laser engraving, silk screen printing and many other types.
- Compression molding: It requires the cooperation of silicone molds. The rubber is shaped through the mold and then vulcanized at high temperature. The machine applies a certain pressure and demolds after a few minutes. The product can be basically formed. Representative products: silicone buttons, silicone sleeves, foam rings, irregular and shapeless products.
- Injection molding: The rubber is injected into the mold, the silicone in the mold is melted after heating, and then the rubber is shaped by mechanical pressure. It is a hot vulcanization process. Its products are very flexible and comfortable, and are very suitable for mid-to-high-end products, especially those in contact with the human body. Representative products: baby bottles, pacifiers, kitchen utensils
