Silicon dioxide, with the chemical formula SiO2, is an extremely common inorganic compound. It is widely present in nature, from fine sand on beaches to quartz ores, it can be found everywhere. After special processing, it has become an important reinforcing filler for high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber.
1.Silicon dioxide can enhance the strength of silicone rubber
Silicon dioxide itself has a relatively high hardness. When it is added to silicone rubber, it is like putting on a hard "armor" on the surface of the silicone rubber. In daily use, when silicone rubber products rub against other objects, this hard surface provided by silicon dioxide can withstand part of the frictional force, reducing the direct wear of the silicone rubber molecular chains. For instance, high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber containing silicon dioxide applied to automotive seals can maintain excellent sealing performance and extend its service life even under long-term friction conditions.
2.silicon dioxide enhance the wear resistance of silicone rubber
Silicon dioxide has a high specific surface area and high activity, just like having countless "little hooks". When it is added to high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber, these "little hooks" can form strong physical adsorption and chemical bonds with the silicone rubber molecular chains. When silicone rubber is subjected to external force, silica particles can evenly disperse the stress. Imagine that silicone rubber is a large net, and silica is the strong anchor points distributed on the net. When an external force pulls the net, the anchor points disperse the force, preventing stress from concentrating in one place, thereby preventing the premature breakage of rubber molecular chains and greatly enhancing the tensile strength and tear strength of silicone rubber.