Stability: Relatively stable under heat and chemical reagents but may decompose under strong acids, strong bases, or high temperatures.
Reactivity:
Hydrolysis: Siloxane bonds (Si-O-Si) may hydrolyze under acidic or alkaline conditions, forming silanols (Si-OH).
Reaction with Active Metals: May react with metals such as lithium or magnesium to form metal-silicon compounds.
Oxidation: May oxidize under high temperatures or strong oxidizing agents, producing silica (SiO₂) and other byproducts.
Functional Group Characteristics: Contains methyl groups (-CH₃) and siloxane bonds (Si-O-Si), with the latter providing flexibility and thermal stability.
Flammability: Flammable; combustion may release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and silica.
Reactions with Other Reagents: May react with Grignard reagents or organolithium compounds, undergoing silicon-carbon bond substitution.
Product Functions
Hydrophobic Modification: Imparts water-repellent properties, reduces surface energy, and enhances material waterproofing.
Surface Activity Adjustment: Acts as a surfactant or additive to regulate liquid surface tension, improving wettability or spreading ability.
Chemical Intermediate: Serves as a key intermediate in organosilicon synthesis for constructing complex siloxane structures.
Thermal Stability Enhancement: Siloxane bonds (Si-O-Si) provide excellent thermal stability, suitable for material modification in high-temperature environments.
Rheological Property Adjustment: Modifies viscosity and flow behavior of liquid or colloidal systems, enhancing processability.
Adhesion Promotion: Functions as a coupling agent or additive to improve bonding performance between dissimilar materials.
Oxidation Resistance: Under specific conditions, slows oxidative degradation of materials, extending service life.
Volatile Carrier Function: Acts as a volatile solvent or carrier to ensure uniform dispersion or rapid evaporation of other components.
Chemical Reaction Control: Participates in reactions such as hydrosilylation and hydrolysis-condensation, influencing the structure and properties of final products.
Inert Protection: Provides inert shielding during chemical reactions or storage to minimize side reactions.
Application
Organosilicon Materials Industry
Silicone Oil Synthesis: Used as short-chain siloxane monomers to prepare methyl silicone oil, phenyl silicone oil, and similar products.
Silicone Resin Modification: Functions as a crosslinking agent or end-capping agent to adjust the flexibility and temperature resistance of silicone resins.
Silicone Rubber Additives: Improves processing fluidity or surface properties of silicone rubber.
Surface Treatment & Functional Coatings
Waterproof Coatings: Applied for hydrophobic treatment on glass, ceramic, or metal surfaces (e.g., construction waterproofing, automotive rain-repellent glass coatings).
Anti-Fouling Coatings: Used in marine anti-fouling paints or kitchenware anti-grease coatings.
Optical Coatings: Reduces reflection and fingerprint adhesion on lenses or display screens.
Personal Care & Cosmetics
Skincare Products: Serves as volatile silicone oil in sunscreens or foundations to deliver a lightweight, non-greasy texture.
Haircare Products: Enhances hair softness and shine in shampoos or conditioners.
Makeup Fixation: Helps mascara, eyeliners, etc., achieve long-lasting hold and easy removal.
Electronics & Semiconductor Industry
Electronic Encapsulation: Acts as a modifier for encapsulation materials to improve high-temperature resistance and insulation.
Semiconductor Coatings: Used for temporary protective layers on wafers or as components in photoresists.
Thermal Interface Materials: Enhances wettability and thermal stability of thermal greases/pads.
Industrial Manufacturing & Processing
Release Agents: Applied in tire or plastic molding to reduce adhesion during demolding.
Experimental Data: Reduces water surface tension to below 21 mN/m, cutting pesticide consumption by 30–50%.
Case Study: In trials against citrus red mites and strawberry aphids, heptamethyltrisiloxane modified with polyether (at a 100:1 dilution ratio) demonstrated efficacy comparable to Silwet 408 organosilicon at the same concentration.
Coatings Industry
Experimental Data: Lowers coating surface tension from 30–40 mN/m to 20–25 mN/m.
Case Study: Applied in metal coatings to minimize sagging and orange peel effects; used in architectural coatings to enhance adhesion and water resistance.
Electronics Industry
Experimental Data: Reduces semiconductor chip surface contact angles from 70°–80° to 30°–40°.
Case Study: A semiconductor manufacturer adopted it as a release agent for printed circuit boards, achieving smooth demolding and high surface quality.
Textile Industry
Experimental Data: Post-treatment reduces static friction coefficients to 0.2–0.3 and kinetic friction coefficients to 0.1–0.2.
Case Study: A textile mill used it in premium shirt fabrics, producing soft, water-repellent materials with reduced static buildup.
Cosmetics Industry
Experimental Data: Lowers emulsion viscosity by 10–20% and improves skin luminosity by 15–25% when added to lotions.
Case Study: A cosmetics brand incorporated it into conditioners, earning consumer praise for silky, glossy hair results.
Usage Guidelines & Precautions
Usage Guidelines
Pesticide Industry
Application: Add as an adjuvant, comprising 0.1–0.5% of total pesticide mass.
Procedure:
Weigh pesticide first.
Add adjuvant.
Mix with water and stir thoroughly.
Example: Add 1–5 mL of adjuvant per 1000 mL pesticide solution.
Coatings Industry
Application: Incorporate during grinding or paint formulation, at 0.2–2% of total coating mass (adjust based on system requirements).
Example: Add 0.2–2 kg adjuvant per 100 kg latex paint to improve leveling and gloss.
Electronics Industry
Application: Use as a surface treatment agent via spraying, dipping, or brushing.
Example: For PCB demolding, prepare a 1–5% solution, dip the board for seconds, then air-dry.
Textile Industry
Methods:
Pad-Dry Method: Immerse fabric in a finishing bath containing 0.5–3% adjuvant, pad, then dry.
Coating Method: Apply finishing agent to fabric surface and dry.
Example: Use 1–2% concentration for cotton fabric treatment.
Cosmetics Industry
Application: Add during emulsion preparation at 0.5–3% of total formulation.
Example: Incorporate 0.5–3 kg adjuvant per 100 kg lotion/cream during emulsification.
Precautions
Storage:
Store in a cool, ventilated area (<30°C), away from ignition sources and heat.
Keep containers sealed to prevent moisture absorption and thermal degradation.
Safety:
Flammable – Keep away from open flames, heat, and strong oxidizing agents.
Ensure adequate ventilation in work areas to avoid vapor accumulation.
Wear PPE (gloves, goggles); rinse immediately with water if contacted and seek medical help.
Compatibility:
Test compatibility before mixing with other chemicals.
Avoid reactions with strong acids/bases in pesticides or coatings.
Dosage Control:
Strictly follow recommended dosages.
Overuse may cause phytotoxicity (pesticides) or compromise stability/safety (cosmetics).