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Silicone Oils Silicones are synthetic polymers made from the products of nature. Although "silicone" is often used as a generic term for nearly all substances that contain a silicon atom, it is more properly described as an entirely synthetic polymer containing a Si-O backbone. To this backbone, organic groups are frequently attached to the silicon atoms via a Si-C bond. This general description defines the broad class of polymers known as silicones. The most common example is PDMS. This polymer has a repeating (CH3)2SiO unit. These materials are the basic building blocks of the silicone industry. Depending upon the number of repeat units in the polymer chain and the degree of cross-linking, at least six classes of commercially important products such as:
- Fluids
- Emulsions
- Compounds
- Lubricants
- Resins
- Elastomers or rubbers
Polymerization
Linear/ cyclic siloxane oligomers formed in the reaction.These are the basic raw materials (monomers) from which a host of useful silicone products can be made. The process of conversion is called polymerization. It occurs by ring opening and/or condensation in the presence of an acid or base catalyst to form silicone fluids. During this reaction, which is commonly known as equilibration, the SiO bonds are constantly cleaved and reformed in a series of competing reactions involving both cyclic and linear species - building up molecular structure until an equilibrium distribution is reached.
Silicones uses
Silicones are highly valued materials because they have a combination of physical properties not found in other polymers. They have outstanding heat stability and can be used in applications where organic materials would melt or decompose. Many silicones seem to be impervious to the effects of aging, weather, sunlight, moisture, heat, cold, and some chemical assaults. Some silicones are used to stick, bond, or couple things together - a glue.However, unique surface properties make silicones really different from other materials. Silicone fluids applications such as
- Paper release agents
- Conditioners, and gloss enhancers
- Fibre lubricants
- Textile treatments
- Textile hand modifiers
- Coatings
- Mould release agents
- Leather/synthetic leather treatment
- Antifouling materials
- Polishes
- Water repelleants
- Plastics modification Antiperspirant deodorant sticks
- Foam-control agents
- gels, and roll-on products
- Anticaking aids
- Skin care lotions and creams
- Corrossion inhibitors
- Lip products
- Emulsifiers
- Hair care products
- Lubricants
Softeners can be broadly divided into Organic and Silicone softeners.
Organic Softeners These can be further divided into Cationic softeners, Pseudo-cationic softeners, Reactive-cationic softeners, Amphotheric softeners, Anionic softeners and Non-ionic softeners and Enhanced organic softeners.
Silicone Softeners Silicone emulsions are available in three distinct varieties-micro, semi-micro and macro amino silicone softeners.T They are manufactured from different modified polysiloxane fluids such as
- Non reactive polysiloxane (Di methyl polysiloxane)
- Glycol modified polysiloxane
- Reactive modified polysiloxane
- Acrylate modified polysiloxane
- Epoxy modified polysiloxane
- Glycol modified polysiloxane
- Carboxy modified polysiloxane
- Mercapto and amide modified polysiloxane.
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