Thread, woven fabric, and method for producing same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Press pads in hydraulic presses face premature wear due to high temperatures and chemical exposure, such as formaldehyde vapor and oil leaks, leading to decreased resilience and sticking issues with fully vulcanized silicone rubber threads.
Innovation Solution
The threads are superficially fluorinated with a gas mixture containing at least 10% fluorine, enhancing thermal and chemical resistance while reducing surface tension and eliminating stickiness, allowing for improved weaving and increased durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If silicone rubber threads are fully vulcanized to improve elasticity and durability, then the threads become sticky and cause running problems during weaving, but if they remain uncrosslinked they lack sufficient mechanical strength and resilience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different degrees of crosslinking to different parts of the thread structure. The core maintains full crosslinking for mechanical strength, while the surface remains lightly crosslinked or uncrosslinked to prevent stickiness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing strength (core function) and preventing sticking (surface function).
Solution Approach 2:
The thread is segmented into functional zones: a crosslinked core providing mechanical strength and an uncrosslinked or lightly crosslinked surface providing non-stick properties. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other, solving the contradiction between strength and processability.
2Reliability
If silicone rubber is used to provide elasticity and flexibility, then thermal and chemical resistance is insufficient under high temperature and chemical exposure conditions, but if fluorocarbon rubber is used to improve thermal and chemical resistance, then elasticity and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite thread structure combining silicone rubber (for elasticity) and fluorocarbon rubber (for thermal and chemical resistance). The fluorocarbon rubber is applied as a coating or blend on the silicone rubber core, creating a material that exhibits both the elastic properties of silicone and the thermal/chemical resistance of fluorocarbon rubber, thus resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
3Reliability
If fluorine rubber content is increased throughout the entire thread to improve thermal and chemical resistance, then the cost and processing difficulty increase significantly, but if fluorine rubber content is low the protective effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing fluorine rubber throughout the entire thread, the patent concentrates it in specific locations where it is most needed - primarily on the surface that contacts chemicals and heat, and in the outer layers exposed to operating conditions. This localized approach provides maximum protective effect with minimum fluorine rubber content, reducing cost and processing complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 process significantly enhances thermal and chemical resistance, reduces abrasion, and eliminates the need for additives, resulting in longer service life and improved operational performance of press pads with retained elasticity and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the fluorinated rubber component is produced by continuous, only superficial fluorination of the crosslinked thread with a fluorination gas
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a thread (1) of extruded silicone rubber that is cross-linked after the extrusion and to a woven fabric having warp threads and/or weft threads and a coating consisting of cross-linked silicone rubber, the thread (1) or the coating comprising a fluorinated rubber part. The invention also relates to a method for producing such threads (1) and woven fabrics. The aim of the invention is to improve the thermal and chemical resistance. To this end the fluorinated rubber part is produced only by surface fluorination of the cross-linked thread (1) or the coating by means of a fluorination gas.