Two Part RTV

CALCULATIONS FOR FORMULATING TWO-PART SILICONE RTV COMPOUNDS

technical information

raw materials for addition curing silicone elastomers

This product group comprises various liquid vinyl-functional silicone polymers (Andisil® VS), SiH-functional sili-
cone crosslinkers (Andisil® XL), catalysts and additives for the production of addition curing silicone elastomers.
Formulations based on these materials are curable at ambient or elevated temperatures following a platinum
catalyzed addition mechanism, and can be used for a wide variety of applications, such as tooling compounds
(mold-making rubbers), encapsulants, or sealants for electrical and electronic devices. The curing characteristics
can be modified by the user to achieve special requirements within a broad range of properties. Due to the low
volatile content of the products and the addition type curing mechanism, the curing shrinkage is very low and no
volatiles or corrosive materials are produced during curing.
application
Vulcanization of Andisil® VS is effected by mixing with a platinum catalyst, one of our silicon-hydride crosslinkers
and an inhibitor. Curing characteristics and final properties of the cured material are influenced by the molar ratio
of SiH- and vinyl-groups, and by the total concentration of platinum catalyst in the formulation.
For practical purposes the molar ration of SiH- and vinyl-groups should be adjusted between 1 and 3 by using
the formula below:

mcross = mvs · (VC ÷ SHC) · F

mcross = Amount of crosslinker [parts by weight, pbw]

mvs = Amount of Andisil® VS [parts by weight, pbw]
VC = Vinyl content [mmole/g] of Andisil® VS chosen
SHC = SiH-content [mmole/g] of Crosslinker chosen
F = factor to adjust the molar ratio of SiH- and vinyl-groups: 1 < F < 3

use of catalyst
The total platinum content in the formulation should be varied between 20 ppm and 50 ppm:
0.5% Platinum Catalyst (5000 ppm Pt) 0.4%-1.0% by weight, based on the total mixture
2% Platinum Catalyst (20,000 ppm Pt) 0.1%-0.25% by weight, based on the total mixture

example
A formulation shall be calculated based on 100 pbw of Andisil® VS 1000 (vinyl content: 0.1 mmole/g), Andisil®
XL 11 (SiH-content: 4.5 mmole/g) and 0.5% platinum catalyst (platinum content: 5000 ppm). In this example a
value of F = 2 (see equation above) and a platinum content of 20 ppm is chosen.

continued
 page 2 of 2

mAndisil® VS 1000 = 100 [parts by weight, pbw]

mAndisil® XL 11 = 100 · (0.1 ÷ 4.5) · 2 =4.4 [parts by weight, pbw]
m0.5% Platinum Catalyst = (100 + 4.4) · 0.004 =0.42 [parts by weight, pbw]

When formulating two-part systems, it is recommended to have part one consisting of Andisil® VS and cata-
lyst, and part two of Andisil® VS and crosslinker, respectively. By this, a mixing ratio of 1:1 can be adjusted
easily.
Due to the high reactivity of the platinum catalyst, the pot life of the catalyzed mixture is only a few minutes
but may be considerably extended by the addition of an inhibiting additive such as Andisil® MVC. The relation
between pot life and curing rate can therefore be adjusted according to the processing conditions by optimizing
the content of Andisil® MVC in the formulation.
An addition of one-part Andisil® MVC to two hundred-parts of Andisil® VS increases the pot life by approxi-
mately one hour. Curing of mixtures with a long pot life is naturally very slow at room temperature, but may be
accelerated by increasing the curing temperature to 60-120°C (140-250°F).
Andisil® CE-4 is a SiH-terminated polydimethoxysilane. It acts as a chain extender and reduces the crosslink
density and thereby the hardness of the cured material.
As with room temperature curable silicone elastomers, the mechanical properties of the unfilled vulcanates are
rather poor, but can be considerably improved by the addition of appropriate fillers like carbon black, fumed or
precipitated silica and other fillers well known to formulators with expertise in compounding silicones.

important note
As with all addition curing silicones, the precious metal catalyst is sensitive to agents acting as catalyst poisons.
Organic sulfur compounds, amines, amides, as well as inorganic heavy metal compounds of lead, tin, cadmium
and mercury are the primary poisonous agents. Extreme care should be taken to keep all equipment coming in
contact with Andisil® VS free from such substances.
For detailed information on individual products, please refer to the necessary Technical Data Sheet.

The information and data provided are believed to be correct based on our knowledge of the characteristics and properties of our prod-
ucts. Therefore, any information is given upon the condition that the customer shall make its own assessment to determine the suitability
of our product for their particular purpose. Since the conditions of use are beyond our control, we accept no liability for any system or
application in which our products are utilized unless stated by us. No warranty of freedom from any patent is to be inferred.

AB Specialty Silicones | 3790 Sunset Avenue | Waukegan, IL 60087

 908.273.8015 | toll free 800.678.3024 | fax 908.273.8056 |  info@andisil.com
Rev 4-SO-9/15