The scientific literature with respect to liquid silicone rubbers is collected in this monograph. The text focuses on the fundamental issues such as properties, curing methods, special materials, as well as the latest development and provides a broad overview of the materials used therein. In particular, materials and compositions for liquid functional rubbers are discussed. Also, methods of curing and special properties are described, such as tracking and erosion resistance, adhesion properties, storage and thermal stability. Methods of curing are precision casting, hybrid additive manufacturing, peroxide curing, ultraviolet curing, liquid injection molding, or hot embossing.  The book includes applications including automotive and underwater applications, electrical and optical uses, as well as medical uses.

Johannes Karl Fink is Professor of Macromolecular Chemistry at Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria. His industry and academic career spans more than 30 years in the fields of polymers, and his research interests include characterization, flame retardancy, thermodynamics and the degradation of polymers, pyrolysis, and adhesives. Professor Fink has published several books on physical chemistry and polymer science including A Concise Introduction to Additives for Thermoplastic Polymers (Wiley-Scrivener 2009), The Chemistry of Biobased Polymers (Wiley-Scrivener 2014), Polymer Waste Management (Wiley-Scrivener 2018) and 3D Industrial Printing with Polymers (Wiley-Scrivener 2019).

Preface v

1 Materials 1

1.1 History 1

1.2 Properties 1

1.2.1 Tracking and Erosion Resistance 1

1.2.2 Enhancing Strength 4

1.2.3 Surface Treatment 7

1.2.4 Adhesion Properties 12

1.2.5 Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Film 17

1.2.6 Storage Stability 20

1.2.7 Thermal Stability 21

1.2.8 Hydrophobed Pyrogenic Silica Filler 22

1.2.9 Superhydrophobic Materials 22

1.2.10 Thermally Conductive Materials 24

1.2.11 Shape-Memory Materials 26

1.2.12 Thermally Conductive Grease 27

1.2.13 Self-Healing Materials 29

1.2.14 Flame Retardancy 31

1.3 Special Materials 34

1.3.1 Borosilicones and Viscoelastic Silicone Rubbers 34

1.3.2 Acrylo-Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane 39

1.3.3 Cellulose Nanocomposites 40

1.3.4 Fluorine-Containing Poly(phenylsilsesquiox-ane) 40

1.3.5 Silicone Rubber Overmolded Poly(carbonate)s 41

1.3.6 Urethane-Containing Silane 42

1.3.7 Glass Fiber Fabric 44

1.3.8 Foams 46

1.3.9 Addition Type Liquid Phenyl Silicone Rubber 48

1.3.10 Organic Foaming Agent 50

1.3.11 Foams without Chemical Blowing Agents . . . 52

1.3.12 Epoxy-Silicone Copolymer 53

References 57

2 Methods 63

2.1 Special Curing Methods 63

2.1.1 Precision Casting 63

2.1.2 Hybrid Additive Manufacturing 64

2.1.3 Peroxide Curing 64

2.1.4 Ultraviolet Curing 68

2.1.5 Addition-Curable Compositions 70

2.1.6 Liquid Injection Molding 72

2.1.7 Hot Embossing 73

2.2 Hydrosilylation Catalysts 73

2.3 Recoating Methods 74

2.4 Shaped Elastomeric Bodies 75

2.4.1 Tailoring of Elastomers 77

2.4.2 Reinforcement of Elastomers 78

References 81

3 Automotive and Underwater Applications 85

3.1 Automotive Applications 85

3.1.1 Turbocharger Hose 85

3.1.2 Automotive Airbags 87

3.1.3 Silicone Rubber Sponge 107

3.1.4 Dilatant Fluid 111

3.1.5 Thermally Conductive Adhesive Composition 112

3.1.6 Automobile Exhaust Systems 115

3.2 Underwater Vehicles 116

3.2.1 Buoyancy Control Device 116

References 118

4 Electrical and Optical Uses 121

4.1 Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber 121

4.1.1 Conductive Liquid Silicone Rubber-Based Composites 122

4.1.2 Effect of Shape and Size of Nickel-Coated Par-ticles on Conductivity 123

4.2 High-Voltage Insulation 124

4.2.1 Platinum Catalyst and  Nitrogen-Containing Silane 124

4.2.2 Amine-Containing MQ Silicone Resin 125

4.2.3 Tracking and Erosion Requirements 126

4.3 Silicone Rubber Composite Insulators 127

4.3.1 Electrical Insulator 128

4.3.2 Liquid Silicone Rubber Exposed to Acid Fog . 137

4.3.3 Tracking and Erosion Resistance 139

4.3.4 Color Fading 140

4.3.5 Improving Tracking Resistance and Flame Re- tardancy 140

4.4 Electromagnetic Wave Absorber 143

4.5 Suppression of Surface Charge 143

4.5.1 Outdoor Insulation Materials 143

4.5.2 Antistatic Compositions 144

4.6 Heat Dissipation Devices 148

4.6.1 Liquid-Encapsulation Heat Dissipation Member149 4.6.2 Loop Heat Pipe 149

4.7 Optical Fiber Sensor 152

4.8 Optical Semiconductor Device 153

4.9 Light-Emitting Devices 154

4.9.1 Composition for a Light-Emitting Diode 154

4.9.2 Encapsulating Materials 156

4.9.3 Waterproof LED Lamp 157

4.9.4 High Precision Optics 158

4.10 Capacitance Sensors 159

4.11 Dielectric Elastomer Transducers 159

4.12 Solar Cells 161

4.12.1 Foamed Sealing Materials 163

4.13 Portable Electronic Devices 164

4.14 Cable Accessories 165

4.14.1 Water Diffusion Model 165

4.14.2 Cold Shrink Splices  166

4.14.3 Lubricious Cable Jackets for Medical Uses 168

4.15 Electrophotography 173

4.15.1 Electrophotographic Fixing Device 173

4.15.2 Electrophotographic Copy Machine 175

4.16 Secondary Battery Pack 185

4.17 Pressure and Temperature Sensor 189

4.18 Piezoresistive Device 191

4.19 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 193

4.19.1 Degradation Experiments 193

4.20 Light-Emitting Diodes 196

4.21 Recycling of Used Composite Electric Isolators 197

4.22 Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wearable Electronics 198

4.23 Large Specific Surface Area Electrodes 199

4.24 Casing 199

References 201

5 Medical Uses 209

5.1 Sensors for Medical Application 209

5.1.1 Piezoresistant Sensor 209

5.1.2 Pressure Sensor 211

5.1.3 Flexible Pressure Sensor 212

5.1.4 Intraocular Pressure Sensor 213

5.1.5 Rod Template 213

5.1.6 Cupping Appliance Device 215

5.2 Materials for Medical Instruments and Uses 220

5.2.1 Wound Regeneration 220

5.2.2 Prostate Brachytherapy 221

5.2.3 Breast Implants 222

5.2.4 Implant with Reinforcing Fibers 223

5.2.5 Hair Implants 224

5.2.6 Nasal Implants 227

5.2.7 Injectable Implants 227

5.2.8 3D Printing of Medical Implants 229

5.2.9 Voice Prostheses 230

5.2.10 Implantable Medical Leads 231

5.2.11 Cochlear Electrode Array 232

5.2.12 Wear of the Total Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis 234

5.2.13 Hand-Actuated Retention Catheter 234

5.2.14 Medical Catheter 237

5.2.15 Silicone-Coated Stents 241

5.2.16 Suture Sleeve 242

5.2.17 Silicone Tubings 243

5.2.18 Fresnel Lenses 244

5.3 Biomaterials 245

5.3.1 Bioactive Peptides Grafted Silicone Dressings 245

5.3.2 Antibacterial and Antibiofouling Clay Nan- otube-Silicone Composites 246

5.3.3 Biofunctionalization with Microgroove-Pat- terned Surface 247

5.3.4 Bionic Composites 248

5.4 Pharmaceutical Compositions 249

References 258

6 Other Uses 265

6.1 Non-aqueous Organic Product Sensor 265

6.2 Synthetic Leather 267

6.3 Two-Part Curable Composition 268

6.4 Microchannel Thermocured Silicone Rubber 270

6.5 Dry Cleaning of Surfaces 271

6.6 Adhesive Tapes 275

6.7 Capsules for Beverages 277

6.8 Usage for Toner 280

6.9 Acoustic Applications 284

6.10 High Temperature Gas Line Heater System 286

6.11 Cosmetic Compositions 290

6.11.1 Crosslinked Silicone Rubber Powder 290

6.12 Silk Fibers 291

6.13 Elastic Silicone Rubber Belt 292

6.14 Recycling and Devulcanizing 295

6.15 Mobile Robots 296

References 297

Index 301

Acronyms 301

Chemicals 303

General Index 308