Silicone Resin

Basic Product Information

• Product Name: Silicone Resin
• Chemical Name: Polysiloxane
• Appearance: Colorless Transparent Liquid

Chemical Properties

• Ultra-Low Surface Energy: Surface tension of 18–22 mN/m, enabling exceptional release performance.
• Thermal Stability: Continuous heat resistance up to 300°C; instantaneous tolerance to 500°C.
• Chemical Inertness: Non-reactive with most resin systems.
• Film-Forming Capability: Forms uniform films with thicknesses of 0.1–5 μm.

Physical Properties

• Versatile Forms: Available as solvent-based (5–30% solid content), water-based emulsions, or solvent-free formulations.
• Viscosity Range: 5–5,000 cps at 25°C.
• Curing Methods: Room-temperature curing or thermal curing (80–150°C).

Product Functions

• Flawless Demolding

 Ensures 100% defect-free demolding of complex-shaped products.

• Extended Mold Lifespan

 Reduces mold wear, extending service life by 3–5x.

• Enhanced Surface Quality

 Leaves zero transfer residue, preserving the product’s original texture and finish.

• Improved Production Efficiency

 Reusable for 50–200 cycles, minimizing downtime for mold cleaning/recoating.

Application Scope

• Plastics Processing Industry

Injection/Blow/Extrusion Molding: Silicone resin release agents enable seamless demolding of plastic products (e.g., toys, containers, pipes), ensuring smooth,

defect-free surfaces and boosting production efficiency.

• Rubber Product Manufacturing

Vulcanization Molding: Critical for releasing high-adhesion rubber items (e.g., tires, seals, shoe soles) without damaging molds or products.

• Metal Casting Industry

Sand/Metal Casting: Prevents adhesion between molds and castings (e.g., auto parts, machinery components), yielding clean surfaces and reducing post-processing.

• Composite Material Fabrication

CFRP/GFRP Molding: Ensures flawless demolding in hot press molding or filament winding processes for aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment composites.

Core Advantages

Market Value

Market Size & Growth Trends

• Global Market Overview
• 2023 Market Size: The global silicone release agent market reached USD 1.8–2.2 billion, dominating 65–70% of the total release agent market (non-silicone alternatives include waxes and fluoropolymers).
• Future Growth (2024–2030): Projected CAGR of 5–7%, with the market expected to hit USD 2.8–3.2 billion by 2030.
• Key Drivers:
• Automotive lightweighting driving composite material adoption (carbon fiber component demand).
• Rising EV tire production (silicone release agents enhance molding efficiency).
• Environmental regulations phasing out solvent-based products (waterborne/solvent-free alternatives).

Technology Trends & Market Opportunities

• Eco-Friendly Alternatives
• Waterborne Silicone Release Agents: VOC <50 g/L (vs. >300 g/L for solvent-based), with >40% penetration in Europe.
• Non-Silicone Challenges: Fluoropolymers are 3–5x costlier than silicones, limiting full substitution.
• High-Performance Composite Demand
• Wind Turbine Blades: Require >300°C-resistant release agents (e.g., for epoxy curing processes).
• Automotive CFRP: In-mold coating (IMC) technology drives demand for integrated demolding-spray solutions.
• Smart & Automated Solutions
• Robotic Spraying: Demand for low-viscosity (<50 cP) and fast-drying (<30s) silicone release agents.
• Film-Type Release Agents: Pre-coated films for RTM processes reduce onsite contamination.

Conclusion

• The core value of silicone release agents lies in their irreplaceable interfacial performance and process adaptability. Future growth hinges on:
• Greener Solutions: Replacement of solvent-based products with waterborne/solvent-free options (EU to ban benzene-containing agents by 2025).
• Premiumization: Development of high-temperature (>400°C) and low-migration (semiconductor-grade) products.
• Smart Integration: Precision spraying systems compatible with automated production lines.

Experimental Data & Case Studies

Experimental Data

Case Studies

• EV Battery Housing Production
• Issue: Traditional release agents caused surface defects on housings.
• Solution: Silicone-free, transfer-resistant release agent.
• Result: Defect rate dropped from 8% to 0.3%, achieving annual cost savings of RMB 1.2 million.
• Premium Tire Manufacturing
• Challenge: Complex tread patterns led to demolding failures.
• Solution: High-penetration silicone release agent.
• Outcome: 100% demolding success rate and mold lifespan extended to 15,000 cycles.
• Aerospace Composite Molding
• Requirement: Flawless demolding of carbon fiber components.
• Solution: High-temperature-resistant semi-permanent release agent.
• Result: 80 consecutive uses without recoating, cutting labor hours by 40%.

Preparation Process, Core Technologies & Key Considerations

Preparation Process

• Raw Material Selection
• Base Polymer: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
• Crosslinker: Hydrosiloxanes (Si-H bonds).
• Catalyst: Platinum-based compounds.
• Solvents: Toluene, acetone.
• Synthesis Reaction

Procedure:

Mix PDMS with solvent in a reactor; heat and stir.

Gradually add crosslinker and catalyst; react for 2–6 hours.

Cool and, for solid resin, remove solvent via vacuum distillation.

• Post-Processing & Formulation
• Filtration: Remove impurities.
• Additives: Antioxidants, leveling agents.
• Adjustments: Dilute with solvent to target viscosity (10–500 cps) and solid content (10–50%).

Core Technologies

• Molecular Structure Design & Control

Tailored Architecture: Adjust PDMS chain length, crosslink density, and functional groups (e.g., phenyl, vinyl) to balance flexibility, thermal stability, and release performance.

• Efficient Crosslinking
• Catalyst Optimization: Platinum catalysts enable rapid, uniform curing.
• Reaction Conditions: Control temperature (80–120°C) and time to form a stable 3D network.
• Surface Modification
• Physical Blending: Add surfactants to enhance wettability.
• Chemical Functionalization: Introduce epoxy/amino groups for improved adhesion to molds.
• Quality Control & Testing
• Analytical Methods:

GPC (molecular weight distribution).

FT-IR (functional group verification).

TGA (thermal stability up to 400°C).

• Performance Testing: Release force, corrosion resistance, defect rate.

Key Considerations

• Storage: Keep in a cool (5–30°C), dry place; avoid freezing.
• Safety: Use explosion-proof equipment and ensure ventilation to prevent solvent vapor accumulation.
• Waste Disposal: Treat spent solvents/resins as hazardous waste per local regulations.
• Compatibility Testing: Conduct small-scale trials for new molds to optimize application parameters.

Packaging & Ordering

Packaging: 200kg/1000kg plastic drums (customizable).