Recently, it was learned from Baotou Rare Earth Research Institute that the rare earth separation and application team of the academy and the Beijing Aviation Materials Research Institute of China Aviation Development have successfully developed a light rare earth heat-resistant agent product for silicone rubber and fluorosilicone rubber.

The product has been tested and verified by the Beijing Aviation Materials Research Institute of China Aviation Development, which can effectively increase the use temperature of silicone rubber and fluorosilicone rubber materials and improve their heat resistance levels. Silicone rubber products prepared by using self-developed rare earth heat-resistant agents have reached the level of similar imported products, and can realize the Chinese substitution of such high-value-added heat-resistant agents.

Silicone rubber has a wide range of applications in the fields of electrical, electronics, office equipment, automobiles, construction, medical, food and artificial organs due to its excellent weather resistance, high and low temperature resistance, electrical insulation, radiation resistance, and biological inertness. . With the development of modern science and technology, the requirements for heat resistance of silicone rubber in various fields are getting higher and higher. For example, the cabin temperature of aero-engines is often above 300°C, which puts forward higher oil and high temperature resistance requirements for rubber parts.

Silicone rubber materials mainly undergo main chain degradation and side chain methyl oxidation reactions in aerobic and high temperature environments, resulting in a decrease in the mechanical properties of silicone rubber. Adding rare earth heat-resistant agents to silicone rubber can effectively improve the heat-resistant properties of silicone rubber. The mechanism is that rare earth elements with oxidation-reduction effect can prevent free radical reactions in silicone rubber due to oxidation within a certain temperature range. At the same time, rare earth metal compounds can absorb some trace acids or alkalis in silicone rubber that can catalyze degradation reactions. It is a sexual substance, which has a thermal stabilization effect on the silicone rubber.

Rare earth resources are precious strategic resources. However, the application fields of light rare earth lanthanum and cerium resources are limited, the resource utilization rate is low, the product backlog is large, and the market price has been low for a long time. The core reason is insufficient development and application. The successful research and development of light rare earth heat-resistant products for special rubber materials will help promote the high-value utilization of lanthanum and cerium, and also show that the combination of rare earth and polymer materials has broad application prospects.