Study on the low temperature performance stability of silicone hollow shaped fiber

Basis of silica gel cold resistance
Silicone, also known as silicone rubber, is an elastomer with a main chain composed of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, and side chains connected to other organic groups through silicon atoms. This special molecular structure gives silica gel excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, oxidation resistance, radiation resistance and electrical insulation properties. The cold resistance of silica gel is particularly outstanding, and it can maintain its elasticity and mechanical properties at extremely low temperatures, which is mainly due to the flexibility and stability of its molecular chain.

As an application form of silica gel, silicone hollow shaped fiber also inherits the cold resistance of silica gel. The hollow structure and shaped cross-section design of this fiber not only improve its specific surface area and air permeability, but also enhance its stability in low temperature environments. In a wide temperature range of -60℃ to 200℃ (some high temperature resistant silica gels can reach higher temperatures), silicone hollow shaped fibers can maintain good physical and chemical properties, which makes it possible to use in extreme climatic conditions.

Performance changes in low temperature environments
Although silicone hollow shaped fibers have good stability at low temperatures, their performance will still change to a certain extent. Under low temperature conditions, the movement of silicone molecular chains is inhibited, and the interaction force between molecules is enhanced, resulting in an increase in the hardness of the fiber and an increase in the elastic modulus, thus showing a certain hardening phenomenon. Although this hardening phenomenon will reduce the softness and ductility of the fiber, it usually does not have a serious impact on its overall structure and function.

In addition, at low temperatures of around -20°C, silicone products may also experience slight hardness changes and linear expansion. This is because the low temperature causes the distance between silicone molecular chains to change, and the molecular chains are arranged more closely, thereby increasing the hardness of the material. At the same time, due to the small thermal expansion coefficient of silicone, the linear expansion phenomenon is relatively weak, and will not cause serious shrinkage or deformation of the fiber.

Application advantages and challenges
The performance stability of silicone hollow shaped fibers in low temperature environments provides strong support for its application in multiple fields. In the textile industry, this fiber can be used to make thermal underwear, outdoor clothing, etc. Its excellent breathability and warmth retention properties allow the wearer to stay comfortable even in cold weather. In the field of filtration, the low-temperature stability of silica hollow shaped fibers makes them an ideal material for manufacturing high-efficiency air filters, which can maintain stable filtration efficiency and resistance in low-temperature environments. In addition, in the fields of thermal insulation materials, automotive seals, etc., silica hollow shaped fibers also show a wide range of application prospects.

However, the application of silica hollow shaped fibers in low-temperature environments also faces some challenges. For example, at extremely low temperatures, the hardening of the fibers may limit their application in certain fields. At the same time, the difficulty of processing and molding in low-temperature environments will also increase, which puts higher requirements on production processes and equipment.