Silicone Elastomer Composition for Skin-Like Artificial Integument
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial integuments for humanoid models or robots lack flexibility and a skin-like feel on touch, despite exhibiting stain resistance.
Innovation Solution
A silicone elastomer composition with a specific formula that includes an organopolysiloxane, organohydrogenpolysiloxane, a catalyst for hydrosilylation, and fine silica powder, which provides a loss tangent of 0.23 or more and an Asker C hardness of 20 or less, ensuring flexibility and a skin-like touch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a silicone rubber composition is used for artificial integument, then stain resistance is improved, but flexibility and skin-like touch feeling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the loss tangent (tan δ) to be 0.2 or more and Asker C hardness to be 20 or less. This quantitative specification transforms the material properties to achieve both stain resistance and skin-like flexibility, resolving the contradiction between durability and tactile quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite silicone elastomer system combining multiple components: organopolysiloxane with alkenyl groups, organohydrogenpolysiloxane with Si-H bonds, and catalytic composition. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of chemical stability (stain resistance) and mechanical flexibility through synergistic material interactions.
2Strength
If the hardness of the artificial integument is increased to improve durability, then flexibility and elongation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a specific parameter range where Asker C hardness is 20 or less and loss tangent is 0.2 or more. This parameter optimization ensures the material maintains adequate durability while preserving high flexibility and elongation properties essential for skin-like behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial crosslinking through controlled hydrosilylation reaction, where not all alkenyl groups react with Si-H bonds. This partial action leaves some unreacted groups that maintain chain mobility and flexibility, preventing excessive hardening while still providing sufficient structural durability.
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 produces an artificial integument with enhanced flexibility and a touch sensation similar to real skin, suitable for use in models or robots, while maintaining stain resistance and allowing for easy color adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a silicone elastomer composition which is curable by an addition reaction and comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atoms in a molecule, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least three hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms in a molecule (C) a catalyst for a hydrosilylation reaction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a silicone elastomer composition for an artificial integument which satisfies the following formula: tan δ≧0.23-0.006X wherein tan δ represents the loss tangent of a cured product of the aforementioned composition; and X represents the Asker C hardness of a cured product of the aforementioned composition. With the composition of the present invention, an artificial integument which has not only a similar outer appearance, but also a similar flexible feeling on touch to the skin, can be obtained by a simple process.