What are the details of silicone product processing technology?

What are the details of silicone product processing technology? Silicone products are widely used in medical, baby products, kitchen utensils, electronic products and other fields due to their environmental protection, durability, high and low temperature resistance and other characteristics. However, the processing technology of silicone products is complex, involving multiple links and details.

1. Raw material preparation and quality control
The processing of silicone products begins with the preparation of raw materials. The main raw materials include silicone rubber, vulcanizing agents, fillers (such as white carbon black and silicone oil), plasticizers, coloring agents, etc. Among them, silicone raw rubber needs to have the characteristics of high purity and low impurities to ensure the biocompatibility and stability of the product. Vulcanizing agents are key substances that promote crosslinking of silicone gel, and their types and amounts directly affect the physical and chemical properties of the product.
In terms of raw material storage, the principles of dryness, coolness, and ventilation should be followed, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environments to prevent material aging or performance degradation. In addition, batch management of raw materials is crucial to ensure stable quality of each batch and avoid product performance fluctuations caused by material differences.

2. Mixing process: the key to uniformity and stability
Mixing is the process of uniformly mixing silicone rubber, vulcanizing agents, fillers, etc. in proportion. This step requires strict control of temperature, time, and stirring speed to prevent premature vulcanization caused by high temperature or uneven mixing caused by low temperature.
Specifically, the mixing temperature is usually controlled within a certain range, and the specific value needs to be adjusted according to the material properties. The stirring speed should be moderate to ensure that the materials are thoroughly mixed and no bubbles are generated. After the mixing is completed, the quality of the mixed rubber needs to be tested, including indicators such as hardness and tensile strength, to ensure that it meets the requirements for subsequent processing.

3. Molding process: shaping of shape and performance
There are various molding processes for silicone products, including compression molding, injection molding, extrusion molding, rolling molding, and injection molding.
Compression molding: suitable for products with complex shapes and precise size requirements. By applying pressure through high-temperature molds and vulcanization machines, the silicone raw material is vulcanized into shape. This process requires strict control of mold temperature, pressure, and time to ensure product dimensional accuracy and surface quality.
Injection molding: Combining the characteristics of liquid silicone and plastic, suitable for products with high quality requirements. Its products have excellent thermal stability, cold resistance, and electrical insulation properties, and are widely used in medical, infant products, and other fields.
Extrusion molding: suitable for producing long or tubular products, such as silicone hoses, sealing strips, etc. During the extrusion process, it is necessary to control the extrusion speed and temperature to ensure stable product shape and uniform size.
Rolling forming: used for producing larger products such as silicone sheets and silicone sheets. By using a rolling mill to press the mixed rubber into a predetermined shape and thickness, attention should be paid to the effects of rolling temperature, pressure, and speed on product performance.
Injection molding: suitable for products with simple shapes and smooth surfaces. By pouring liquid silicone into the mold and allowing it to dry and form, the product can be removed. This process is labor-saving and time-saving, but attention should be paid to the accuracy of the mold and the design of the demolding slope.

4. Sulfurization process: Formation of cross-linked structure
Sulfurization is a key step in the processing of silicone products, which forms cross-linked structures between silicone molecular chains through vulcanization, thereby improving the strength and stability of the products. The vulcanization temperature, time, and pressure need to be adjusted according to the specific requirements of the product.
During the vulcanization process, it is necessary to closely monitor the operating status and vulcanization effect of the vulcanizing machine to avoid performance problems caused by insufficient or excessive vulcanization. Insufficient vulcanization can lead to low hardness and poor strength of the product; Excessive sulfurization may make the product brittle and prone to cracking.

5. Post processing and inspection: the ultimate guarantee of quality
After molding, silicone products need to undergo post-processing, including trimming, deburring, cleaning, and other steps. Trimming mainly involves removing excess scraps and burrs; Cleaning is the process of removing stains and impurities from the surface of a product. During the post-processing process, attention should be paid to operational skills and safety to avoid damage or contamination to the product.
Inspection is an important step in ensuring the quality of silicone products. The inspection covers multiple aspects such as appearance quality, dimensional accuracy, physical properties, chemical properties, etc. Only products that have undergone strict quality inspection and meet standard requirements can be sold after leaving the factory.

6. Safety production and environmental protection: the cornerstone of sustainable development
In the processing of silicone products, safety production and environmental protection cannot be ignored. Strict adherence to safety operating procedures is required to ensure the safety of employees and equipment. At the same time, pollutants such as exhaust gas and wastewater generated during the processing need to be effectively treated to reduce their impact on the environment.

The processing technology of silicone products involves multiple links and details, and each link requires strict control of quality and technical parameters. Only through precise processing techniques and strict quality management can high-quality silicone products that meet market demand be produced. With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous development of the market, the field of silicone product processing will usher in more opportunities and challenges.