Silicone Emulsion(SE) has got various applications in multiple industries. SE is dispersed in water to create a stable mixture. The mixture can be used in multiple industries like textile mill, construction, personal care & automotive industry.
There are two types of Silicone Emulsions being available in the market. One is a thin liquid emulsion, and another is a thick liquid emulsion. The emulsion is white in color and is available in cans and in barrels. The silicon emulsion is designed to have excellent release properties and is superior to conventional release agents.
Key Properties of Silicone Emulsions:
Water Repellency: Silicone emulsions can be used for waterproofing and for protective coatings as it has got good water resistance.
Lubrication: The SE acts as a lubricant as it reduces wear and tear and friction in automobiles.
Heat Resistance: Silicone emulsions can be used even during hot summers as the quality of the product does not get degraded due to harsh weather conditions.
Non-Toxic: The silicone emulsion is used for the manufacture of skin care products as it is a non-toxic ingredient which is safe for consumers.
The emulsion helps in escaping air during placing and vibrations which gives the concrete structure an even color and texture. The Silicone emulsion is basically an unstable or homogeneous mixture. Silicone emulsion is a mixture that contains silicon, water, and a necessary emulsifying system to form a stable emulsion.
Characteristics of silicon emulsions:
Silicon emulsion gives better efficacy of the product. The most important benefit of silicon emulsions is:
- PH of the emulsion: The PH of the silicone emulsion is not a critical factor for its use, as non-emulsifiers are being used. The silicon emulsions are typically adjusted to a neutral PH.
- Viscosity: Viscosity measures the fluidity of the SE. The silicon fluid has very low viscosity which makes it a highly fluid product. Low viscosity is an indication of a well-emulsified product with small particle sizes.
- Dry extract: Dry extract is a solid material that is a non-evaporative emulsion after the drying process. The dry extract of a silicon emulsion is related to the quantity of silicon content, which is an active content of the product.
- Filtration: Due to the low viscosity the emulsion can be filtered easily. This helps easy formulation in products like adhesives, varnishes, paints, or coatings without approving their desired properties.
- Stability: A good quality silicone emulsion can have better stability and can be stored for an extended period without separation.
- Particle size: Silicon emulsions typically have small particle sizes, which is linked to their stability. The smaller the particle size the more stable the emulsions tend to be.
- Wetting: SE may sometimes cause wetting issues due to its inherent properties. When the silicone emulsion is used for coating, it may lead to uneven coverage or surface defects.
- Toxicity: Silicone emulsion is a non-toxic product as it does not harm the environment. The silicone settles down into the purification sludge due to which it results in non-classified residue.
The silicone emulsion is made from silicon-based oils and non-hazardous compounds. The silicon emulsion forms a coat over the rubber which helps in protection to adhesion in concrete.
As there is a concern for the environment the demand for emulsion is increasing which can be diluted with water without the use of solvent. Silicone emulsions are designed to be eco-friendly, safe, and easy to use to cater to the demand of the industry.
Removal methods for the Silicone Emulsion:
The equipment or containers used in the preparation and application of SE can be cleaned with water or else liquid soap solution. In case the silicone does not get completely removed then in that case the containers can be cleaned with the help of toluene, xylene, or else organic solvents.
The solvent can also be removed by soaking it in water and then the stuck emulsion can be rubbed by brush. The Silicone emulsion can also be cleaned with the help of alkaline water.
The user of the chemical emulsion should ensure that the container or the vessel used while putting the solution should have proper ventilation and should be solvent-resistant. While using the solvent the user should ensure that proper precautions should be taken and the use of hand-gloves, goggles, organic vapor respirators, and other protective gear should be used.
How to make silicon emulsion?
A silicone emulsion is made by adding water to the solution and should be properly homogenized for 5 minutes. The silicone oil emulsion is added to the water at 2-5 degrees Celsius to provide the final solution ready to use.
Silicon emulsions are safe to use and an environmentally friendly product. There are many ranges of silicone emulsions available in the markets depending on the PH solution which can be modified to the intended purpose.
Below are the industries that have applications for Silicone emulsions:
- Construction purpose: Silicone emulsion is a white-colored liquid used for the bonding of concrete, glass, granite, marble, aluminum, steel, and plastics.
- Textile & leather industry: Silicone emulsions are used in the textile industry to give a better finish and feel to the fabric. Silicone emulsions help reduce the stiffness of the material, increase flexibility, and enhance the draping properties of the fabric. In the case of the leather industry, Silicone emulsions are used to enhance abrasion and provide shine in final aqueous formulation. A greasy finish can be given to the leather with the help of Silicone emulsion.
- Rubber & plastics: In rubber and plastics it is used as release agents.
- Used as an adhesive: Silicone emulsions are used in industrial applications to join bridges, highways, skyscrapers, and ships to make them free from corrosion and water resistance.
- Paper industry: The small particle-sized silicon emulsion helps in good wetting of liquid adhesive when it is applied to the paper.
- The ink used: Silicone emulsions are used in the printing industry to protect the ink from remaining on the paper for a longer duration. Also, the emulsion is used to make the magazines look glossy.
- Paint industry: Silicon emulsions keep the facades dry. They provide protection from micro-organisms. There are silicon emulsion paints available in the markets which provide protection from micro-organisms.
- Anti-seize additives and lubricants: The anti-seize additives can be used as mold-release agents in plastics and polymers such as rubber. Prior testing is necessary to ensure compatibility with specific materials.
Sakshi Chem Sciences Pvt Ltd is a leading manufacturer of Silicone emulsion and is amongst the highly recommended products for our clients. The SE is available in the thin and thick category.
The thin category is Addage Bond Cote SE [Thin] which is made of mineral oils and non-hazardous chemicals. The Silicone emulsion is available in 50 liters packaging and 200 liters packaging. And is white in color.
The thick category of silicone emulsion is also available which is Addage Bond Cote SE [Thick] is amongst the similar category products that are thick in texture. The thick SE has a higher viscosity than the thinner ones. The thick oil can sustain even in harsh weather conditions whether it is too cold or too hot.
Conclusion:
Thus, the SE has applications in multiple industries like the construction industry, paper mill, glossy magazine publishing, leather industry, and paint industry, used as an anti-seize adhesive and lubricant. Thus, silicone emulsion is a very useful product with applications in many industries.
The silicone emulsion is available in thin as well as thick category. The thin category of liquid is more fluid while the thick category is less fluid. The applications of both categories may differ according to the purpose for which the emulsion is going to be used. The product is eco-friendly and thus does not harm the environment.
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