Optimization of platinum-based silicone’s hydrosilylation for hose manufacturing

Author

del Pino López, Anna  

Abstract

Platinum-cured silicones for the sanitary field are subject to very strict regulations to ensure an extremely low level of both volatile and extractable compounds migrated from the elastomeric product. As a result, the processing of silicone rubber has always included a post­curing final step. In addition, this additional step is generally thought to improve the physical characteristics of platinum-cured silicones by driving the cure up to completion. However, post-curing entails a significant increase in time and money in silicone rubber's manufacturing process, so many manufacturers have looked for alternatives to eliminate the need to post­cure materials after curing. 
Another problem related to silicone rubber's productivity is that to process the silicone elastomer at lower cost, achieving a platinum catalyst with a reasonable shelf-life is required. Currently, the most widely used in the silicone industry is the Karstedt's catalyst; however, its reactivity is limited due to the rapidly dissociation of Pt-(µ-n4-dvtms) coordination bonds, forming platinum metal colloids. 
The present work attempts to address these productivity issues by focusing on the development of an own catalyst technology, that can be prepared with a lower or comparable cost to that of commercial catalysts. 
Finally, with the aim of rethinking the usefulness of post-curing, volatiles and extractables migrated from the silicone rubber cured with a commercial catalyst are analyzed and compared to the ones evolved when using the developed catalyst. 

Director

Borrós Gómez, Salvador 
Agulló Chaler, Núria  
Sánchez García, David  

Departament

IQS SE - Enginyeria Química i Ciència dels Materials

Date of defense

2021-11-29