Silicone Rubber Insulation with Noble Metal Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible insulation materials are not suitable for temperatures below 130°C, emit unpleasant odors, and exhibit plasticizer exudation, making them unsuitable for the food sector and limiting their application in complex geometries.
Innovation Solution
A flexible insulation material based on a silicone rubber mixture with a noble metal catalyst and a halogen-free, antimony trioxide-free flame retardant, which is partially uncrosslinked and plastically deformable, allowing crosslinking between 60°C and 130°C, preventing plasticizer diffusion, and using chemically crosslinking silicone oils for odorless addition crosslinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If peroxidic crosslinking is used to achieve insulation material properties, then crosslinking strength is improved, but unpleasant odors are generated from cleavage products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crosslinking chemistry from peroxidic to addition crosslinking using noble metal catalysts, fundamentally altering the chemical reaction pathway to eliminate harmful cleavage products while maintaining crosslinking strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful peroxidic crosslinking process into a beneficial addition crosslinking process that produces no unpleasant odors, making the insulation material suitable for food sector applications
2Stability of the object's composition
If high crosslinking temperature is used to achieve complete crosslinking, then crosslinking completeness is improved, but thermal expansion increases making complex geometries difficult to insulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crosslinking temperature parameter from high (above 130°C) to low (60-130°C) range, enabling complete crosslinking at reduced temperatures due to the catalytic effect of noble metal catalysts, thereby minimizing thermal expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces noble metal catalysts as intermediaries that facilitate the crosslinking reaction at lower temperatures, acting as a mediator between the crosslinking agents to enable complete crosslinking without high thermal expansion
3Productivity
If conventional crosslinking methods are used, then crosslinking speed is improved, but plasticizer diffusion to surface occurs causing sweating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crosslinking mechanism from peroxidic to addition crosslinking, altering the reaction parameters to proceed without causing plasticizer diffusion to the surface, thereby eliminating sweating while maintaining crosslinking speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of high-energy crosslinking that causes plasticizer diffusion into a beneficial low-energy addition crosslinking process that prevents sweating while maintaining productivity
4Temperature
If insulation materials are designed for high temperature applications above 130°C, then high temperature resistance is improved, but usability at lower temperatures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from high (above 130°C) to a broader range (60-130°C), expanding the applicability of the insulation material to include lower temperature applications while maintaining performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal insulation material that functions effectively across a wide temperature range (60-130°C), making it suitable for both high and low temperature applications, including food sector uses
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
Enables insulation at lower temperatures, preventing plasticizer sweating, ensuring safety, and allowing for complex geometries due to reduced thermal expansion, while maintaining long-term stability and odorlessness.
Implementation Method 1
the rubber mixture being partially uncrosslinked and plastically deformable and the flame retardant being free of halogen and Antimony trioxide is and the insulation material can be vulcanized between 60°C and 130°C. By using at least one noble metal catalyst, addition crosslinking takes place
Implementation Method 2
the crosslinking reaction with at least one noble metal catalyst takes place on the component surface without the influence of high temperatures and also counteracts the sweating out of oils
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flexible insulating material based on a rubber compound. The insulating material, which is suitable for vulcanization at temperatures below 130 °C and can be easily applied to complex components requiring insulation, is based on at least one rubber compound containing at least one silicone rubber and at least one precious metal catalyst.