I. Basic Core Raw Materials
The upstream sector of the silicone industry chain primarily relies on two types of basic chemical raw materials, which serve as the material foundation for synthesizing all subsequent silicone products:
Metallic Silicon (Industrial Silicon): Obtained by smelting silica in an electric furnace. It is the most important raw material for producing silicones. During production, it must be ground into silicon powder to participate in subsequent chemical reactions.
Methyl Chloride: Primarily synthesized from methanol and liquid chlorine. In the presence of a catalyst, silicon powder reacts with methyl chloride to synthesize silicone monomers.
II. Core Intermediates and Monomers
Monomers are the basic raw materials used to prepare various deep-processed silicone products. Due to their unstable chemical state, monomers usually need to be further processed into intermediates for convenient storage and transportation:
Methylchlorosilane (Methyl Monomer): This is the core silicone monomer and the foundation for the production of all silicone products, accounting for more than 90% of the total monomer volume. It mainly includes trichloromethylsilane (M1), dimethyldichlorosilane (M2), and trimethylchlorosilane (M3).
Phenylchlorosilane (Phenyl Monomer): As the second-largest type of monomer, it is mainly used to enhance the high- and low-temperature resistance and refractive index of materials.
Cyclic Siloxanes (DMC): The full name is Dimethyl Cyclic Siloxane Mixture. It is the most important intermediate in the silicone industry chain and can serve as a raw material for ring-opening polymerization to produce silicone oils, silicone rubbers, and silicone resins.
III. Functional Specialty Raw Materials
To meet the performance requirements of specific application scenarios, the industry chain also includes various modified functional raw materials:
High-Hydrogen Silicone Oil: Contains active Si-H bonds in its molecular structure. Under the action of a catalyst, it undergoes cross-linking reactions with other active groups to form a waterproof film on various substrate surfaces that offers moisture-proof, anti-mold, anti-rust, and breathable properties.
MQ Silicone Resin: A 100% trimethylsilyloxysilicate resin with excellent film-forming properties. It is easily soluble in various silicone oils and is commonly used as a film former in cosmetics or as an additive in coatings.
Fumed Silica: Used as a primary raw material in fields such as silicone rubber and adhesives. It provides functions like reinforcement, thickening/thixotropy, anti-sagging, and improved flowability.
Hexamethyldisiloxane: Commonly used as a capping agent in silicone oil production and as a raw material for silazanes. It is widely applied in pharmaceutical intermediates, cleaning agents, mold release agents, and hydrophobic modifiers.
IV. Four Major Downstream Deep-Processed Products
Based on the aforementioned raw materials and intermediates, silicones are ultimately processed into four major categories of end products, often referred to as "industrial MSG":
Silicone Rubber: Holds the largest market share, including High-Temperature Vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber, Room-Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber, and Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR). They are widely used in architectural sealing, electronic potting/encapsulation, medical products, and automotive components.
Silicone Oil: Features excellent high- and low-temperature resistance and lubricity. It is extensively used in personal care products (such as skin and hair care), defoamers, mold release agents, and mechanical lubricating greases.
Silicone Resin: Characterized by a three-dimensional branched structure and outstanding thermal stability. It is frequently used as a binder for paints and varnishes, or as a high-temperature-resistant insulating material.
Silane Coupling Agents: Used to improve interfacial bonding between inorganic materials and organic polymers. They are widely applied in industries involving glass fibers, plastics, and coatings.
