The application of silicone oil in the mechanical industry: the key to improving equipment performance and reliability
In the field of mechanical industry, silicone oil has become a key material for improving equipment performance and reliability due to its unique properties. It is widely used in lubrication, shock resistance, sealing and other aspects, providing strong guarantees for the normal operation of mechanical equipment.


In terms of lubrication, although the lubricating performance of silicone oil is not as good as that of general mineral oil, it has excellent high and low temperature resistance and can maintain good lubrication effect under extreme temperature conditions. In mechanical operation in high and low temperature environments, such as aerospace, polar scientific research and other fields, silicone oil can be used as a high and low temperature lubricant to reduce the wear of mechanical components and extend the service life of equipment. For example, using silicone oil for lubrication in the mechanical joints and transmission components of spacecraft can ensure their normal operation in extreme temperature environments in space. In addition, silicone oil also has high compressibility and a small viscosity temperature coefficient, which is less affected by temperature and can be used as shock-absorbing oil for various instruments and meters. In some precision instruments, such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc., silicone oil can be filled inside the instrument to provide cushioning and shock absorption, improving the measurement accuracy and stability of the instrument.


Silicone oil also has important applications in mechanical seals. Due to its good chemical stability and corrosion resistance, silicone oil can be used to make sealing materials to prevent liquid or gas leakage in mechanical equipment. For example, in some chemical equipment and hydraulic systems, the use of silicone oil seals can effectively prevent corrosion and leakage of chemicals, ensuring the safe operation of the equipment. At the same time, silicone oil can also be used to make sealants to fill gaps and holes in mechanical equipment, improving the sealing performance of the equipment.


Silicone oil can also be used as cutting fluid and grinding fluid during mechanical processing. It has good cooling and lubrication properties, which can reduce the temperature during cutting and grinding processes, minimize tool and workpiece wear, and improve machining accuracy and surface quality. Compared with traditional cutting and grinding fluids, silicone oil cutting and grinding fluids have better stability and environmental performance, are less prone to deterioration and odor, and are environmentally friendly.


In addition, with the continuous development of technology, the modification of basic silicone oil can be achieved by introducing different functional groups into the side chains and ends of silicone oil, further improving the application performance of silicone oil in the mechanical industry. For example, long-chain alkyl modified silicone oil can endow silicone oil with good compatibility and lubricity, making it more suitable for some special mechanical lubrication scenarios; Polyether modified silicone oil endows silicone oil with good water solubility and dispersibility, and can be used for the formulation of water-based cutting and grinding fluids.


Silicone oil is widely used in the mechanical industry, and its unique properties play an important role in improving equipment performance and reliability. In the future, with the continuous development of the mechanical industry and the increasing demand for material properties, the application of silicone oil in the mechanical field will continue to expand and innovate.