The production process of silicone tubing integrates materials science and precision manufacturing technology, mainly divided into five core stages: raw material preparation, mixing and refining, extrusion molding, vulcanization, and quality inspection.
1. In the raw material preparation stage, high-quality raw silicone rubber is selected as the main material, while additives such as silica, crosslinking agents, fillers, and pigments are added according to product performance requirements. Silica enhances the hardness and strength of the silicone tubing, while crosslinking agents ensure the material maintains stability at high temperatures.
2. In the mixing and refining stage, the raw silicone rubber and various additives are added to a closed kneader or two-roll mill according to the formula ratio, and repeated refining ensures that the components are evenly distributed. This process requires strict control of temperature and stirring speed to ensure that the mixture melts and forms a paste with good flowability, laying the foundation for subsequent extrusion molding.
3. In the extrusion molding stage, the pretreated silicone rubber compound is fed into an extruder and extruded into a tubular shape under high temperature and pressure through a die. The die design must consider factors such as the size, shape, and wall thickness of the silicone tubing. During extrusion, speed, temperature, and pressure must be strictly controlled to ensure uniform wall thickness and a smooth surface. After extrusion, the silicone tubing needs to be cooled and shaped to initially fix its shape.
4. Vulcanization is a key step in improving the performance of silicone tubing. Extruded silicone tubing needs to undergo high-temperature vulcanization to form a three-dimensional network structure of silicone rubber molecules, thereby obtaining higher elasticity and heat resistance. Some products also require secondary vulcanization to further remove odors and prevent blooming.
5. Quality inspection is carried out throughout the entire production process. Finished products need to undergo multiple inspections, including visual inspection, wall thickness measurement, tensile testing, temperature resistance testing, and electrical performance testing, to ensure that they can maintain stable performance in harsh environments. Only silicone tubing that passes strict quality inspection can enter the subsequent use stage.
