Little knowledge about silicone-Which viscosity is better for dimethicone lubrication?
Source:ai+modify Author:QL CHEMICAL Release time:2025-01-17 14:34 Reading times:53
Understanding Dimethicone Viscosity
The viscosity of dimethicone refers to its ability to resist shear forces, usually expressed in centistokes (cSt). The viscosity directly affects the fluidity and lubrication properties of silicone oil. In lubrication applications, the choice of viscosity is critical because it determines the adhesion and flow rate of the silicone oil on the lubricated surface.

Effect of viscosity on lubrication effect
Viscosity is too high: it may lead to uneven coverage of the lubricating surface and affect the lubrication effect.

Viscosity too low: A sufficient protective layer may not form, resulting in insufficient lubrication.


Viscosity selection in different application scenarios:

‌50CS‌: Mainly used in experimental oil bath, thermal oil, silicone rubber dilution and other fields. In the experimental oil bath, it provides good thermal stability and chemical stability; as a heat transfer oil, it has good thermal conductivity and chemical inertness‌.
‌100CS‌: Suitable for heat transfer oil, pressure gauge silicone oil, high-pressure air cylinder, release agent silicone oil, etc. In terms of heat transfer oil, its performance is similar to 50CS, but its viscosity is slightly higher, making it suitable for occasions requiring higher viscosity; as a release agent, it helps prevent adhesion between the mold and the product and improves production efficiency.
‌350CS‌: Commonly used in silicone oil for sewing threads, silicone oil for building materials and panels, etc. In silicone oil for sewing threads, it provides good lubricity and antistatic properties, which helps the smooth operation of sewing threads; in silicone oil for building materials and panels, it improves the flexibility and weather resistance of the panels.
‌500CS‌: Suitable for silicone oil for cosmetics, electronic and electrical device insulation, etc. In cosmetics, it provides good lubricity and moisturizing properties and improves the skin feel of the product; in silicone oil for insulation of electronic and electrical devices, it has good electrical insulation properties and chemical stability.
‌1000CS‌: widely used in treadmill silicone oil, lubricating silicone oil, defoaming agent silicone oil, pressure gauge silicone oil, high-pressure air cylinder and other fields. In treadmill silicone oil, it provides good lubrication and shock absorption to extend the service life of the treadmill; it serves as a defoaming agent to eliminate bubbles in the liquid and improve product quality and stability.
‌2000CS‌: Suitable for occasions requiring higher viscosity, such as lubrication, demoulding or insulation in some special fields‌.
‌5000CS‌: Very high viscosity, poor fluidity, suitable for occasions requiring extremely high viscosity and stability, such as some special sealing, lubricating or filling materials‌.


In addition, dimethicone is also widely used in other fields:
‌Cosmetic Industry‌: As a formula for skin care cream, shower gel, shampoo, etc., it provides excellent softness and smooth touch‌.
‌Rubber, plastic, natural latex, polyurethane materials and other industries‌: used as release agent, brightener, etc.‌.
‌Mechanical equipment, cars, instruments, electronic and electrical industries‌: used as high-end grease, liquid spring, cutting oil, hydraulic buffer oil, insulating oil, etc.
‌Textiles and clothing industry‌: used as softener, hydrophobic agent, touch improver, etc.
‌Pharmaceutical, food, chemical, coating, and decoration industries‌: used as defoaming additives, lubricants, aging-resistant coatings, etc.

Special process requirements

For some processes that require higher adhesion, you may need to choose a dimethicone with a slightly higher viscosity, such as 350-500 centistokes. This ensures that the silicone oil adheres better to the threads, providing long-lasting lubrication.

Low temperature environment application
In low temperature environments, the viscosity of dimethyl silicone oil will increase, affecting fluidity. Therefore, when used in cold areas or winter, products with lower viscosity should be selected to ensure good lubrication properties.

Viscosity Selection in Thermal Applications
When dimethyl silicone fluid is used for thermal conductivity, it is better to choose a product with a viscosity below 200cps. This is because lower viscosity helps ensure smooth heat transfer and maintain the flow rate of the solvent.

Things to note
Viscosity selection should be adjusted according to the specific process and operating conditions and cannot be generalized.
When replacing silicone oils with different viscosities, the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid mixing silicone oils with different viscosities to avoid affecting the effect.
Check and replace silicone oil regularly to ensure stable performance.
In summary, when selecting dimethicone, the optimal viscosity range should be determined based on specific application needs and operating conditions. The correct viscosity selection can ensure the maximum lubrication effect, improve production efficiency, and ensure product quality.




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