Curable fluoropolyether-based rubber composition and optical component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curable fluoropolyether-based compositions lack sufficient rubber strength and light transmission, leading to frequent cracks under external impacts and reduced optical clarity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sodium fluoride into a curable fluoropolyether-based rubber composition, along with specific components, enhances rubber strength without significantly affecting light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spherical silica particles are added to improve impact resistance, then rubber strength is improved, but light transmission is drastically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the filler from conventional spherical silica (0.050-10 μm) to ultrarfine particles (0.003-0.020 μm). This parameter change allows the filler to provide reinforcement without significantly scattering light, thus improving rubber strength while maintaining light transmission. The ultrarfine particle size is below the wavelength of visible light, minimizing light scattering effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining ultrarfine inorganic filler particles with a fluoropolyether-based polymer matrix. This composite approach allows the ultrafine particles to be dispersed throughout the matrix, providing reinforcement at the molecular level without creating light-scattering interfaces. The composite structure achieves both mechanical strength and optical clarity.
2Strength
If conventional fillers are used to enhance rubber strength, then impact resistance is improved, but optical clarity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the size parameter of the filler particles to ultrarfine dimensions (0.003-0.020 μm), which is one order of magnitude smaller than conventional fillers. This parameter change transforms the filler's interaction with light from scattering to minimal absorption, while maintaining reinforcement effectiveness through increased surface area and interfacial bonding with the polymer matrix.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves a cured product with improved rubber strength and satisfactory light transmission, suitable for optical parts.
Implementation Method 1
sodium fluoride as a component for improving rubber strength without substantially affecting light transmission
Implementation Method 2
curable fluoropolyether-based rubber composition... providing a cured product having satisfactory light transmission and improved rubber strength
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are: a curable fluoropolyether-based rubber composition from which a cured product having good light transmissivity and excellent rubber strength is produced; and an optical component having a cured product layer of said composition. The curable fluoropolyether-based rubber composition contains: (A) a linear polyfluoro compound having at least two alkenyl groups in one molecule and a perfluoropolyether structure in a main chain; (B) a fluorine-containing organohydrogen siloxane which has at least two hydrogen atoms directly bonded to a silicon atom (SiH group) and has a monovalent perfluoroalkyl group or a monovalent perfluorooxyalkyl group or a divalent perfluoroalkylene group or a divalent perfluorooxyalkylene group in one molecule; (C) sodium fluoride; and (D) a platinum group metal-based catalyst in an amount of 0.1-2,000 ppm in terms of the mass of a platinum group metal atom with respect to component (A).