Silicone rubber

Properties
Silicone rubber offers good resistance to extreme temperatures, being able to operate normally from 55 C to +300 C. At the extreme temperatures, the tensile strength, elongation, tear strength and compression set can be far superior to conventional rubbers although still low relative to other materials. Organic rubber has a carbon to carbon backbone which can leave them susceptible to ozone, UV, heat and other ageing factors that silicone rubber can withstand well. This makes it one of the elastomers of choice in many extreme environments. Compared to organic rubbers, however, silicone rubber has a very low tensile strength.[1] For this reason, care is needed in designing products to withstand even low imposed loads. The material is also very sensitive to fatigue from cyclic loading. Silicone rubber is a highly inert material and does not react with most chemicals. Due to its inertness, it is used in many medical applications and in medical implants.

Special grades
There are also many special grades and forms of silicone rubber, including: steam resistant, metal detectable, high tear strength, extreme high temperature, extreme low temperature, electrically conductive, chemical/oil/acid/gas resistant, low smoke emitting, and flame-retardant. A variety of fillers can be used in silicone rubber, although most are non-reinforcing and lower the tensile strength. Silicone rubber is available in a range or hardness levels, expressed as Shore A or IRHD between 10 and 100, the higher number being the harder compound. It is also available in virtually any colour and can be colour matched.
Synthesis

Silicones are synthesized from chlorosilanes, tetraethoxysilane, and related compounds. In the case of PDMS, the starting material is dimethyldichlorosilane, which reacts with water as follows:
n Si(CH3)2Cl2 + n H2O [Si(CH3)2O]n + 2n HCl

During polymerization, this reaction evolves hazardous hydrogen chloride gas. For medical uses, a process was developed where the chlorine atoms in the silane precursor were replaced with acetate groups. The reaction product of the final curing process is the less dangerous acetic acid (the acid found in vinegar). As a side effect, the curing process is much slower in this case. This is the chemistry used in many consumer applications, such as silicone caulk and adhesives.

Silane precursors with more acid-forming groups and fewer methyl groups, such as methyltrichlorosilane, can be used to introduce branches or cross-links in the polymer chain. Ideally, each molecule of such a compound becomes a branch point. This can be used to produce hard silicone resins. Similarly, precursors with three methyl groups can be used to limit molecular weight, since each such molecule has only one reactive site and so forms the end of a siloxane chain. Modern silicone resins are made with tetraethoxysilane, which reacts in a more mild and controllable manner than chlorosilanes.
Vulcanization of silicones An example of an RTV silicone rubber keypad

"Room-temperature vulcanizing" (RTV) silicone is constructed of reactive oil base polymers combined with strengthening mineral fillers. There are two types of room-temperature vulcanizing silicone:
RTV-1 (One-component systems)

RTV-1 hardens due to the action of atmospheric humidity, a catalyst and acetoxysilane. Acetoxysilane, when exposed to humid conditions will form acetic acid.[3] The curing process begins on the outer surface and progresses through to its core. The product is packed in airtight cartridges and is either in a fluid or paste form. RTV-1 silicone has good adhesion, elasticity and durability characteristics. The Shore A hardness can be varied between 18 and 60. Elongation at break can range from 150% up to 700%. They have excellent aging resistance due to superior resistance to UV radiation and weathering. Industrial RTV-1 products are referred to as CAFs.
RTV-2 (Two-component systems)

RTV-2 elastomer are two-component products that, when mixed, cure at room-temperature to a solid elastomer, a gel, or a flexible foam. RTV-2 remains flexible from -80 C to +250 C. Break down occurs at temperatures above 350 C leaving an inert silica deposit that is nonflammable and non-combustible. They can be used for electrical insulation due to their dielectric properties. Mechanical properties are satisfactory. RTV-2 is used to make flexible moulds, as well as many technical parts for industry and paramedical applications.

Epichlorohydrin

Two special types of epi is co and copolymer with ethylene eco.special property aliphatic and aromatic fluid resistance.good ozone electrical thermal about150*.applicatio making wire cable jackets,hoses,belting packaging

Production
Epichlorohydrin is manufactured from allyl chloride in two steps, beginning with the hydrochlorination using hypochlorous acid, which affords a mixture of two alcohols:[3] CH2=CHCH2Cl + HOCl HOCH2CHClCH2Cl and, or ClCH2CH(OH)CH2Cl

In the second step, this mixture is treated with base to give the epoxide: HOCH2CHClCH2Cl and, or ClCH2CH(OH)CH2Cl + NaOH CH2CHOCH2Cl + NaCl + H2O

Poly sulphide

Polysulfides, as sulfides, can induce stress corrosion cracking in carbon steel and stainless steel. Polysulfides are a class of chemical compounds containing chains of sulfur atoms. There are two main classes of polysulfides: anions and organic polysulfides. Anions have the general formula Sn2. These anions are the conjugate bases of the hydrogen polysulfides H2Sn. Organic polysulfides generally have the formulae RSnR, where R = alkyl or aryl