The development process of silicone oil Silicone oil, also known as polysiloxane oil, is a type of organic silicon compound that remains in a liquid state at room temperature. It is mainly composed of silicon atoms and oxygen atoms covalently connected to form a long chain structure, and organic groups (such as methyl, ethyl, phenyl, etc.) are introduced at the chain ends or side chains to improve its performance. Silicone oil has been widely used in various fields due to its unique chemical structure and physicochemical properties. This article aims to explore the development process of silicone oil, from its origin, production process, application fields to market trends, and comprehensively analyze the evolution and current situation of silicone oil.

1、 The origin and early development of silicone oil
The development history of silicone oil can be traced back to the 1940s. Initially, people attempted to impregnate fabrics with dimethyl dichlorosilane to achieve a certain waterproofing effect. In 1945, Elliott et al. from General Electric (GE) further soaked fibers in an alkaline aqueous solution using sodium methylsilicate and heated them to achieve good waterproof performance. This discovery marks the initial success of silicone oil research and lays the foundation for the subsequent application of silicone oil.

In the early 1950s, Dow Corning discovered that using silicones containing Si-H structures to treat fabrics not only had excellent waterproofing effects, but also had good breathability. However, the initial products had problems such as poor hand feel, hard and brittle silicone film, and easy detachment. To address these issues, researchers combined this type of polysiloxane with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and successfully improved the softness and durability of the fabric. This technological innovation has promoted the widespread application of silicone oil in the textile industry and provided ideas for its development in other fields.

2、 Production process and raw materials of silicone oil
The production process of silicone oil generally includes steps such as raw material preparation, condensation reaction, refining separation, and refined products. The main raw material of silicone oil is organic silicon monomer, mainly including dimethyldichlorosilane, phenylmethylchlorosilane, etc. These organic silicon monomers are extracted from coal tar through a coal to oil refining process. In addition, silicone oil can also be extracted from minerals such as silica fume, sodium silicate, and calcium silicate, all of which are processed from minerals. The price of extracting silicone oil from minerals is relatively low, so many silicone oil production companies choose this approach.

In the condensation reaction stage, organic silicon monomers are added to the reaction vessel along with auxiliary materials such as solvents and catalysts for condensation reaction. The condensation reaction is achieved by breaking the silicon hydrogen bonds in organic silicon monomers and reacting them with the silicon hydrogen bonds in other organic silicon monomers, causing rearrangement and condensation of the organic silicon monomers to form higher molecular weight silicone oil products. After the reaction is completed, impurities and by-products in the silicone oil are separated through processes such as distillation and extraction to obtain pure silicone oil. Finally, after removing odors, acid washing, bleaching and other treatments, the quality and performance of silicone oil are improved.

3、 Properties and characteristics of silicone oil
Silicone oil is usually a colorless (or pale yellow), odorless, non-toxic, and non-volatile liquid with excellent chemical stability, heat resistance, insulation, weather resistance, hydrophobicity, and low surface tension. These characteristics make silicone oil widely applicable in multiple fields.

Chemical stability: Silicone oil is not easily reacted with acids, bases, and oxidants at room temperature, and can maintain its stable performance.
Heat resistance: Silicone oil can maintain its stability at high temperatures and is not easily decomposed or deteriorated.
Insulation: Silicone oil has good electrical insulation properties and can be used as an insulation material in the electronic and electrical industry.
Weather resistance: Silicone oil can resist the influence of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation and ozone, maintaining its stable performance.
Hydrophobicity: Silicone oil has good waterproof properties and can be used for surface treatment of materials such as fabrics, paper, and glass.

4、 Application areas of silicone oil
Silicone oil has been widely used in multiple fields due to its unique properties.

Demoulding polishing: Silicone oil has good lubricity and anti sticking properties, and has been widely used as a demoulding agent in industries such as rubber, plastic, metal casting, and building materials. Adding a small amount of silicone oil to the polishing agent can be used for polishing cars, leather, furniture, etc., making them glossy, long-lasting, washable, and pollution resistant.
Surface treatment: Silicone oil has good waterproof performance and can be used for surface treatment of fabrics, paper, glass, building materials, etc. to improve their waterproofing, moisture resistance, flexibility, etc. Ceramics treated with silicone oil can be used as wireless components, electrical components, and other fields to prevent insulation performance deterioration caused by humid weather.
Daily chemical products: Silicone oil is widely used in daily chemical products, such as adding silicone oil to various skin care products, which can improve the wetting and expansion of cosmetics on the skin, and play a role in moisturizing and protecting the skin. Adding silicone oil to lipstick can improve the dispersibility of lipstick pigments, enhance their extensibility and user experience. Adding silicone oil to hair care products can improve combing and make hair silky and smooth.
Electronic and electrical: The high and low temperature resistance, good viscosity, and dielectric properties of silicone oil make it an excellent electrical insulation material in the electronic and electrical industry. Compared with other oil sealed transformers, transformers filled with silicone oil have smaller volume, higher power, longer lifespan, and better electrical insulation performance.
Mechanical industry: Silicone oil has superior high and low temperature resistance, making it suitable for mechanical operation, bearings, etc. under high and low temperature conditions. In addition, silicone oil has high compressibility, low viscosity temperature coefficient, and is less affected by temperature, making it suitable as a shock resistant oil for various instruments and meters.
Medical field: Medical silicone oil plays an important role in the manufacturing of medical devices. From lubrication of syringes to surface coating of artificial joints, medical silicone oil is ubiquitous. In ophthalmic surgery, silicone oil is used as an intraocular filler to help restore the retina. Its chemical stability ensures that it will not cause adverse reactions in the intraocular environment, and its good fluidity and optical performance can meet the surgical requirements for visual clarity. In addition, medical silicone oil is also used in fields such as dermatology and plastic surgery.

5、 Market Trends and Development Prospects of Silicone Oil
In recent years, the silicone oil market has shown a steady growth trend. With the advancement of technology and the acceleration of industrialization, the application of silicone oil in various fields continues to expand and deepen. Especially in industries such as healthcare, electronics and electrical, and daily chemical, the demand for silicone oil continues to grow.

According to market research reports, the global silicone oil market sales are increasing year by year. It is expected that in the coming years, with the development of emerging markets and the promotion of technological innovation, the silicone oil market will continue to maintain a growth trend. Especially in developing countries such as China, with the continuous improvement of silicone oil production capacity and the advancement of silicone oil production technology, the silicone oil industry will usher in a broader development prospect.

However, the silicone oil market also faces some challenges. On the one hand, fluctuations in raw material prices and rising production costs put pressure on the profitability of silicone oil production enterprises; On the other hand, the increasingly strict environmental regulations have put forward higher requirements for the production and use of silicone oil. Therefore, silicone oil production enterprises need to continuously strengthen technological innovation and product research and development, improve product quality and performance, in order to meet market demand and environmental requirements.

6、 Conclusion
Silicone oil, as a type of organic silicon compound with unique properties, plays an important role in multiple fields. From its origin, production process, performance characteristics to application fields and market trends, the development history of silicone oil is full of innovation and challenges. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the acceleration of industrialization, the silicone oil market will continue to maintain a growth trend. At the same time, silicone oil production enterprises also need to continuously strengthen technological innovation and product research and development, improve product quality and performance, in order to cope with market competition and environmental requirements.