Basic characteristics and chemical structure analysis of silicone oil
Silicone oil is a type of polydimethylsiloxane compound with silicon oxygen bonds as the main chain. Its molecular structure consists of alternating arrangement of silicon and oxygen atoms to form a (- Si-O -) ₙ skeleton, with side chains connected to organic groups. In the most typical methyl silicone oil, silicon atoms are connected to methyl (- CH3) groups, endowing it with low surface tension, low viscosity, and excellent lubricating properties. The chemical stability of silicone oil originates from the bond energy of Si-O bonds (460.5 kJ/mol), which is significantly higher than that of C-O bonds (358.0 kJ/mol) and C-C bonds (304.0 kJ/mol), maintaining stable performance in the range of -50 ℃ to+200 ℃.


Modified silicone oil further expands its application scenarios by introducing functional groups such as amino, phenyl, and epoxy groups. For example, amino modified silicone oil enhances hydrophilicity and chemical reactivity, making it suitable for textile finishing agents; Phenyl silicone oil improves high temperature resistance by increasing aromaticity, but may reduce lubricity. The preparation process of silicone oil includes steps such as ring opening polymerization, catalytic polymerization, and vacuum distillation, among which the choice of catalyst directly affects the viscosity and purity of the product.


The diverse applications of silicone oil in the industrial field
Silicone oil plays an irreplaceable role in the industrial field due to its unique physical and chemical properties. In the rubber, plastic, and metal casting industries, silicone oil as a release agent can significantly reduce the adhesion between products and molds, and improve production efficiency. For example, methyl silicone oil can achieve efficient demolding in automotive parts manufacturing while maintaining the surface smoothness of the product. In the field of building materials, ceramics, asbestos, and cement products treated with silicone oil have excellent waterproof and wind erosion resistance, extending their service life.


In the mechanical industry, silicone oil is widely used as a high and low temperature lubricant and shock-absorbing oil in precision instruments and aerospace equipment. Its high compressibility and low viscosity temperature coefficient enable it to maintain stable performance even at extreme temperatures. In addition, silicone oil, as an electrical insulation medium in the electronics and electrical industry, can replace traditional materials such as polychlorinated biphenyls, improving equipment safety and energy efficiency.