Unlock the correct use of water-based silicone oil and start the journey of efficient application
In the world of chemical materials, water-based silicone oil is like a "jack of all trades". With its environmental
protection, lubrication, softness and many other characteristics, it shines in many fields such as textiles, cosmetics,
industrial lubrication, etc. However, to give full play to the performance advantages of water-based silicone oil,
correct use is the key. The following is a detailed introduction to the use of water-based silicone oil.
Accurate selection, adapt to application scenarios
Select according to industry needs
Different industries have very different performance requirements for water-based silicone oil. In the textile industry,
the main focus is on the softness, antistatic and waterproof properties of water-based silicone oil. For example, when
used for silk fabric finishing, water-based silicone oil that can give silk a soft and smooth feel without affecting its gloss
should be selected; for outdoor sportswear fabrics, water-based silicone oil with good waterproof properties is
required to improve the protection of clothing in rainy days.
The cosmetics industry pays more attention to the skin feel, safety and compatibility of water-based silicone oil with
other cosmetic ingredients. For example, water-based silicone oil used in skin care products should have a refreshing
and non-greasy skin feel and should not irritate the skin; water-based silicone oil in makeup products should be able
to improve the ductility and lasting effect of foundation. The field of industrial lubrication emphasizes the lubricity,
thermal stability and load-bearing capacity of water-based silicone oil. For example, in the lubrication of mechanical
parts under high temperature and high pressure, water-based silicone oil that can withstand harsh working conditions
should be selected.
Consider performance indicators to select
The main performance indicators of water-based silicone oil include viscosity, surface tension, HLB value
(hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value), etc. Viscosity affects the fluidity and lubrication effect of water-based
silicone oil. Low-viscosity water-based silicone oil has good fluidity and is suitable for occasions that require rapid
spreading; high-viscosity water-based silicone oil can provide more lasting lubrication and protection.
Surface tension determines the wetting ability of water-based silicone oil on the surface of an object. Lower surface
tension helps water-based silicone oil spread better on the surface of an object and improves its use effect. The HLB
value reflects the hydrophilicity and lipophilicity of water-based silicone oil. For applications that require good
dispersibility in both the water phase and the oil phase, water-based silicone oil with a suitable HLB value should be
selected.
Reasonable ratio to achieve the best performance
Follow the recommended ratio
Each water-based silicone oil product has its recommended ratio range, which is the optimal concentration obtained
after a lot of experiments and practice. When preparing solutions or emulsions, be sure to add them strictly according
to the recommended ratio provided by the product manual or supplier. If the ratio is too low, the water-based
silicone oil cannot fully exert its performance and cannot achieve the expected effect; if the ratio is too high, it will
not only increase costs, but may also cause stability problems in the product, such as stratification and precipitation.
For example, in the post-finishing of textile printing and dyeing, when using water-based silicone oil as a softener,
the generally recommended addition amount is 1% - 5% of the weight of the fabric. Adding according to this ratio
can make the fabric obtain a good softening effect while ensuring the stability of the finishing liquid.
Adjust according to actual conditions
In actual production, the ratio needs to be appropriately adjusted according to the specific situation. When the
properties of the object being treated change, the ratio also needs to be adjusted accordingly. For example, in
textile printing and dyeing, if the treated fabric fibers are coarse and the structure is tight, it may be necessary
to increase the amount of water-based silicone oil appropriately to ensure that it can fully penetrate into the
fibers and play a softening and lubricating role.
Environmental factors will also affect the ratio of water-based silicone oil. Under high temperature conditions,
the volatility of water-based silicone oil may increase. At this time, the ratio can be appropriately increased to
ensure that it can play a sufficient role within the effective action time. Under low temperature conditions, the
fluidity of water-based silicone oil may decrease, and the proportion of solvents or other additives may need
to be adjusted to improve its performance.
Standardize operations to ensure the use effect
Pretreatment is essential
Before using water-based silicone oil, proper pretreatment of the treated object can improve its use effect.
In the textile printing and dyeing industry, pre-treatment of fabrics, such as desizing, scouring, bleaching, etc.,
can remove impurities and oil stains on the surface of the fabric, making the fabric surface cleaner, which is
conducive to better adsorption and spreading of water-based silicone oil on the fibers, improving the softness
and waterproofing effect.
In metal processing, cleaning and rust removal of metal surfaces can remove the oxide layer and dirt on the
metal surface, so that water-based silicone oil can better adhere to the metal surface and provide effective
lubrication and anti-rust protection.
The order of addition is particular
The order of adding water-based silicone oil also affects its use effect. Generally speaking, water-based
silicone oil should be mixed evenly with part of the solvent or water to make a premixed liquid, and then
added to the main system. This can avoid the phenomenon of agglomeration or uneven dispersion when
water-based silicone oil is directly added.
For example, when preparing cosmetic emulsions, water-based silicone oil should be mixed with part of
the oil and fat ingredients first, stirred evenly, and then added to the water phase to form a stable emulsion
through an emulsification process. In industrial lubrication, when adding water-based silicone oil to lubricating
oil or coolant, it should also be premixed first to ensure its uniform dispersion.
Fully stirring and mixing
Stirring and mixing are key steps to evenly disperse water-based silicone oil. After adding water-based silicone
oil, it should be fully stirred to ensure that the water-based silicone oil is fully in contact and integrated with the
treatment system. The stirring speed and time should be adjusted according to the nature and scale of the system.
For small-scale laboratory operations, a magnetic stirrer can be used for stirring. The stirring speed is generally
200-500 rpm and the stirring time is 10-30 minutes. For large-scale industrial production, professional stirring
equipment such as high-speed dispersers and homogenizers are required. The stirring speed and time should
be optimized according to the specific situation to ensure that the water-based silicone oil is evenly dispersed.
Proper storage to ensure stable performance
The storage environment should be suitable
Water-based silicone oil has certain requirements for the storage environment. It should be stored in a cool,
dry, well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environment. High temperature may
cause the water-based silicone oil to decompose and deteriorate, affecting its performance. Generally speaking,
the storage temperature should be controlled between 5-35℃.
At the same time, keep away from fire sources and flammable materials to prevent safety accidents such as fire.
Humidity will also affect water-based silicone oil. Excessive humidity may cause water-based silicone oil to absorb
moisture, resulting in a decrease in its performance. Therefore, the relative humidity of the storage place should be
controlled between 40% and 70%.
Sealed storage to prevent deterioration
Water-based silicone oil should be sealed during storage to prevent moisture, oxygen and other impurities in the
air from entering. It can be stored in well-sealed containers, and the name, specifications, production date and shelf
life of the product should be marked on the container for easy management and use.
Regularly check the stored water-based silicone oil. If any abnormal conditions such as stratification, precipitation,
discoloration, odor, etc. are found, they should be handled in time to avoid using deteriorated silicone oil to affect
product quality.
As a chemical material with excellent performance, water-based silicone oil has broad application prospects in various
fields. Through precise selection, reasonable proportioning, standardized operation and proper storage, we can give
full play to the performance advantages of water-based silicone oil and bring more convenience and benefits to
production and life.
