Silicone rubber is a widely used material in industry and daily life, which has excellent elasticity, heat resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. In the manufacturing process of silicone rubber, vulcanizing agents play a crucial role. This article will introduce the basic knowledge of silicone rubber vulcanizing agents and their importance in improving the performance of silicone rubber.

Vulcanizing agent is a chemical substance that can trigger the vulcanization reaction of silicone rubber. Vulcanization refers to the reaction between vulcanizing agents and double bonds in silicone rubber at appropriate temperature and pressure, forming a cross-linked structure. This cross-linked structure makes silicone rubber elastic and durable, with excellent mechanical properties. Commonly used vulcanizing agents include peroxides, organic sulfides, and metal oxides.

The selection of vulcanizing agents depends on the specific application and requirements of silicone rubber. Peroxide vulcanizing agents such as silica are one of the commonly used vulcanizing agents, which can achieve vulcanization reactions at lower temperatures and control hardness by adjusting the ratio. Organic vulcanizing agents such as sulfurized diisobutylene are also widely used, which can achieve vulcanization reactions at relatively high temperatures and provide higher heat resistance and chemical corrosion resistance. Metal oxide sulfides such as magnesium oxide can catalyze sulfidation reactions at high temperatures and accelerate the sulfidation rate.

The use of silicone rubber vulcanizing agents is crucial for improving the performance of silicone rubber. Firstly, the introduction of vulcanizing agents increases the elasticity of silicone rubber. The vulcanization reaction causes the formation of cross-linked structures between rubber molecules, thereby improving the elastic modulus and resilience of the material. This elasticity enables silicone rubber to withstand deformation without losing its original shape, and has excellent tensile and compression resistance.

Secondly, the use of vulcanizing agents improves the durability of silicone rubber. The cross-linked structure enhances the wear and corrosion resistance of silicone rubber, allowing it to be used for a long time in harsh environments without damage. The selection of vulcanizing agents and the conditions for controlling the vulcanization reaction can adjust the hardness and softness of silicone rubber, thereby meeting the requirements of different application fields for silicone rubber materials.

In summary, silicone rubber vulcanizing agents play a crucial role in the manufacturing of silicone rubber. By triggering vulcanization reactions, vulcanizing agents can provide silicone rubber with excellent elasticity and durability, meeting various application requirements. The selection and control of silicone rubber vulcanizing agents play a decisive role in the performance of the final product, therefore, appropriate vulcanizing agents and optimization of vulcanization conditions should be carefully selected during the production process.