Silicone is an inorganic polymer with a siloxane bond in which silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) are arranged repeatedly. And its molecular structure has organic groups as side chains. Because varying the type of organic groups imparts different characteristics, silicone is a hybrid material. Silicone is made mainly from naturally derived silica stone (SiO2), water, and natural gas-derived methanol and is synthesized by adding complex chemical reactions. Taking polydimethylsiloxane, which is produced the most, for example, silica and a water-derived component account for approximately 60% of the structural components. For this reason, it can be said that silicone is a material that relies less on petroleum resources and results in less of a burden on the environment.
| Item | General organic polymers | Inorganic polymeric silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Main chain of the molecular structure | －C-C-C－ Carbon atoms are contained in the main chain. |
-Si-O-Si- (Siloxane bond) Carbon atoms are not contained in the main chain. |
| Main raw material | Petroleum-derived raw material | Naturally derived silica（SiO2） Water Natural gas-derived methanol |
Silicone release agents that are used for release papers, such as seals, labels, and adhesive tapes generally contain a platinum-based curing catalyst. However, because platinum is a rare and expensive metal, it has issues, such as resource depletion. The low platinum reactive curing technology that we newly developed enabled curing even with approximately half the conventional amount of platinum used through the introduction of the structure that shows high reactiveness to silicone, allowing the contribution to resource conservation.
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The EU REACH regulation is attempting to reduce the concentration of particular siloxane contained in silicone products for certain applications to less than 0.1%. Although siloxane does not cause problems for health and the environment, we developed a silicone emulsion with a reduced cyclic siloxane content according to the trend of the REACH regulation and customers' demands.
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LIMS materials requiring no post cure are products whose low molecular siloxane content is reduced to a level that can be achieved by post-curing millable-type silicone rubber at 200°C for 4 hours without secondary vulcanization.
Because secondary vulcanization is not required, the materials not only contribute to energy conservation and reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) but also are characterized by the improvement of mold stains during forming and less fluctuation in the shrinkage ratio.
*LIMS: Liquid Injection Molding System
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Shin-Etsu offers a wide variety of UV cure liquid silicone rubbers, including a fast curing radical-polymerization type, a UV addition type that is irradiated with UV light and then cures fully at room temperature or with heating, and a combination of radical and condensation types that cures via condensation reaction in sections where the UV rays can't reach.
Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate curing type depending on the usage and application. These rubbers can contribute to energy conservation and a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) as they do not require heat treatment because of their curability with UV light.
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Silicone is a highly functional resin that combines many excellent characteristics and has superior long-term reliability. For example, solar cells using silicone as the encapsulant material (Photo) had been used for 33 years after installation. Silicone, which has superior weather resistance and durability and can be used over an extended period of time, contributes to reductions in waste and maintenance.
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal interface silicone grease | G-776 X-23-7762 X-23-7783D Ｘ-23-7868-2D G-787 |
Diluent is used to improve workability of these products. Environmentally friendly isoparaffins are used instead of toluene |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Food packaging sheets | KM-9782, etc. | This product is on the Japan Hygienic Olefin And Styrene Plastics Association's positive list. SVHC countermeasure product (Cyclic siloxanes are reduced to less than 0.1%.) |
| Thermosetting resins | KS-7202 | Toluene free type (replaced with isoparaffin) |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent-free addition-cure type | X-62-1387 | Excellent film adhesion VOC countermeasure product |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent-free addition-cure type | X-40-3326 | Thick coat very low adhesion type VOC countermeasure product |
| X-40-3340 | Thick coat low adhesion type VOC countermeasure product |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Low-molecular weight siloxanes reduced emulsions | KM-9782, etc. | This product is on the Japan Hygienic Olefin And Styrene Plastics Association's positive list. SVHC countermeasure product (Cyclic siloxanes are reduced to less than 0.1%.) |
| Film-forming emulsions, water repellents | KM-9772 | Contains no tin catalyst |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Resin modifiers, adhesion improvers for coating agents, filler surface treatment agents | KBP-90 KBP-64 |
Hydrolysis treated Reduced alcohol generation as much as possible |
| Antistatic agents for water-based paints, hygienic coatings | X-12-1139 | 30% aqueous solution (VOC-free) |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Antiblocking agents | KP-369 | Low-molecular-weight siloxane reduced product |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding and sealing of electrical and electronic equipment | Room temperature curable adhesives | Cure at room temperature and develop adhesion Installation of heating furnaces is unnecessary (energy cost reduction) |
| Bonding and sealing of electrical and electronic equipment, lamination of optical equipment | UV cure silicone rubbers | Cure with UV light Installation of heating furnaces is unnecessary (energy cost reduction) |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| For LIMS (liquid silicone rubber injection molding systems) | KEG-2003H Series |
Low molecular weight siloxane countermeasure products Contributes to energy conservation because secondary vulcanization is unnecessary |
| KEG-2017 Series | Low molecular weight siloxane countermeasure products, oil bleed type Contributes to energy conservation because secondary vulcanization is unnecessary |
|
| KE-2019 Series | Low-molecular-weight siloxane countermeasure products, low-compression set type Contributes to energy conservation because secondary vulcanization is unnecessary |
| Types and applications | Product name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone rubber products | Catpad | Waterproof silicone adhesive sheet for construction and civil engineering Extends the life of the building and eliminates the need for primers during construction |
| TC-PEN Series |
Silicone pad for heat dissipation of low specific gravity type Contributes to energy conservation by reducing the weight of parts |
The use of silicone products allows for greater efficiency in energy and raw material consumption in many essential products - and thus reduces their carbon footprint.
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Please visit siliconescarbonbalance.com.
