Fumed Silica Applications

Fumed Silica Applications

Fumed Silica Application Description

Fumed silica is a nano-sized amorphous silica produced by the high-temperature hydrolysis of chlorosilanes in an oxyhydrogen flame. It possesses high specific surface area, a three-dimensional network structure, and high surface activity, providing various functions such as reinforcement, thickening, thixotropy, anti-settling, and matting. It is widely used in multiple industrial fields. The following details its application scenarios and Dow™ recommended models by industry.

I. Silicone Rubber Field

Fumed silica is a core reinforcing filler for silicone rubber, significantly improving its tensile strength, tear strength, and abrasion resistance, while also improving processing rheology.

For RTV-1/RTV-2 room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber, it provides thixotropic properties to prevent sagging, enhances bond strength, and is suitable for building sealing, electronic potting, and other applications.

For high temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (HTV), it improves mechanical properties and aging resistance, suitable for seals, insulators, medical catheters, etc.

For liquid silicone rubber (LSR), it optimizes injection molding processability and ensures product dimensional stability.

Dow recommended models: DOWSIL™ TS-720 (hydrophobic, easily dispersed, suitable for various silicone rubber systems), DOWSIL™ TS-530 (hydrophilic, high reinforcing efficiency, suitable for transparent silicone rubber).

II. Coatings and Inks Industry

Fused silica in coatings and inks mainly functions as a thickener, anti-settling agent, thixotropic agent, and matting agent, improving product storage stability and application performance.

Solvent-based coatings: Form a three-dimensional network structure to prevent pigment sedimentation, improve leveling and anti-sagging properties, suitable for industrial anti-corrosion paints, wood coatings, and automotive paints.

Powder coatings: Act as a flow aid and anti-caking agent, improving powder flowability and powder application rate, reducing spray gun clogging.

UV-cured coatings: Control system viscosity, prevent sagging during curing, and ensure coating uniformity.

Printing inks: Enhance ink adhesion and abrasion resistance, prevent pigment delamination, suitable for gravure and flexographic printing.

Dow recommended models: DOWSIL™ TS-610 (hydrophobic, strong thixotropic, suitable for solvent-based systems), DOWSIL™ TS-730 (hydrophobic, excellent matting effect, suitable for matte coatings).

III. Adhesives and Sealants Industry

Fused silica can effectively improve the thixotropic properties, bond strength, and aging resistance of adhesives and sealants, expanding application scenarios.

Epoxy Adhesives: Prevent filler settling, improve bond strength and resistance to damp heat, suitable for structural bonding and electronic encapsulation.

Polyurethane Sealants: Provide thixotropic properties, prevent flow during application, enhance weather resistance, suitable for building curtain walls and automotive sealing.

Silicone Sealants: Reinforce and optimize extrusion performance, improve resistance to displacement, suitable for door and window sealing and insulated glass.

Dow Recommended Models: DOWSIL™ TS-622 (hydrophobic, good dispersibility, suitable for multi-system adhesives), DOWSIL™ TS-530 (hydrophilic, high reinforcement, suitable for water-based systems)

IV. Plastics and Composites

Fused silica can be used as a plastic additive to improve the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and aging resistance of materials.

Thermoplastics: Enhance the rigidity and impact resistance of materials such as PP and PE, and improve processing flowability.

Thermosetting Resins: Provide thixotropic properties in epoxy resins and unsaturated polyesters, prevent resin loss, and are suitable for composite material molding.

Cable Insulation Materials: Improve dielectric properties and aging resistance, and enhance resistance to tracking.

Dow Recommended Models: DOWSIL™ TS-720 (hydrophobic, good polymer compatibility), DOWSIL™ TS-500 (hydrophilic, suitable for filler modification)

V. Cosmetics and Personal Care

Fused silica is mainly used in cosmetics as a thickener, thixotropic agent, matting agent, and skin feel modifier to improve the product user experience.

Skincare: Controls lotion viscosity, improves skin feel during application, provides a matte finish, suitable for face creams and serums.

Makeup: As an anti-caking agent and dispersant, improves powder flowability and adhesion, suitable for loose powder, eyeshadow, and foundation.

Sunscreen: Enhances sunscreen dispersibility, improves sun protection and water resistance.

Dow Recommended Models: DOWSIL™ TS-530 (hydrophilic, good biocompatibility), DOWSIL™ VM-2270 (aerogel particles, lightweight, suitable for high-end skincare products)

VI. Other Special Application Areas

Pharmaceutical Industry: As a drug carrier and disintegrant, improves drug solubility and bioavailability, suitable for tablets and capsules.

Food Industry: As an anti-caking agent, prevents powdered foods from clumping, meeting food safety standards.

Catalysts: As a catalyst carrier, provides high specific surface area and stable structure, suitable for organic synthesis reactions.

Battery Materials: Improves conductivity and dispersibility in lithium battery electrode materials, enhancing battery performance.

Aerospace: Used in high-temperature sealing and insulation materials, resistant to extreme temperature environments.

Dow Recommended Model: DOWSIL™ TS-610 (suitable for industrial catalysis), DOWSIL™ TS-720 (suitable for high-temperature applications)

Core Application Value Summary

Reinforcement: Significantly improves material mechanical properties and extends service life.

Rheology Control: Provides excellent thixotropic properties, preventing sedimentation and sagging.

Stability Enhancement: Enhances product weather resistance, aging resistance, and storage stability.

Multi-functional Adjustment: Combines multiple functions such as matting, thickening, and anti-caking, simplifying formulation design.