Introduction To Organic Silicon Related Knowledge

Properties of silicones

The basic structural unit (i.e. main chain) of silicone products is composed of silicon-oxygen links, while the side chains are connected with various other organic groups through silicon atoms. The special composition and molecular structure make it a combination of organic properties and inorganic functions, with high and low-temperature resistance, weather aging, electrical insulation, ozone resistance, water repellent, non-flammable, non-toxic, non-corrosive and physiological inertness, and many other excellent properties, some varieties also have oil resistance, solvent resistance, irradiation resistance performance. Compared with other polymer materials, the most outstanding properties of silicone products are excellent temperature resistance, dielectric properties, weather resistance, physiological inertness, and low surface tension.

The classification of silicones

Silicone is mainly divided into four categories: 

silicone oil

silicone rubber

silicone resin 

silane coupling agent

Use of silicone

Because of these excellent properties of silicones, it has a wide range of applications. It is not only used as a special material for aviation, cutting-edge technology and military technology sectors, but also for various sectors of the national economy, and its applications have been expanded to include: construction, electrical and electronics, textiles, automobiles, machinery, leather and paper, chemical and light industry, metals and paints, medicine and medical treatment, etc.

The main applications of silicone oil and its derivatives are: de-filming agent, shock absorbing oil, dielectric oil, hydraulic oil, heat transfer oil, diffusion pump oil, defoamer, lubricant, hydrophobic agent, paint additive, polishing agent, cosmetic and daily life product additive, surfactant, particle and fiber treatment agent, silicone grease, flocculant.

Silicone Monomers

The raw materials for the preparation of silicone oil, silicone rubber, silicone resin and silane coupling agent are various kinds of silicone monomers, and thousands of silicone products can be produced from several basic monomers. The main silicone monomers are: methylchlorosilane (referred to as methyl monomer), phenylchlorosilane (referred to as phenyl monomer), methylvinylchlorosilane, ethyltrichlorosilane, propyltrichlorosilane, vinyltrichlorosilane, γ-chloropropyltrichlorosilane and fluorosilicone monomer. Among them, methylchlorosilane is the most important, and its amount accounts for more than 90% of the total amount of the whole monomer, followed by phenylchlorosilane.

The key to the development of any polymer material lies in the development of monomer technology. The organosilicon industry is characterized by centralized monomer production and decentralized product processing. Therefore, monomer production plays an important role in the organic silicon industry, and the production level of monomer directly reflects the development level of the organic silicon industry.