When used in cold areas or low-temperature environments, silicone lumbar pillows are prone to problems such as decreased flexibility, hardening and brittleness, which not only reduces the comfort of use, but also may accelerate material aging and shorten product life. Research on the flexibility maintenance technology and anti-aging treatment methods of silicone lumbar pillows in low-temperature environments is of great significance to improving product adaptability and durability.
Silicone is mainly composed of polysiloxane, and the mobility of its molecular chain determines the flexibility of the material. In a low-temperature environment, the thermal motion of the molecular chain slows down and the activity of the chain segment decreases, resulting in increased hardness and decreased elasticity of silicone. At the same time, low temperature will also cause the micro-cracks inside the silicone to expand, accelerating material aging. In addition, the thermal stress generated by the sudden change in temperature will destroy the chemical bonds between silicone molecules, further reducing its flexibility and mechanical properties. In a low-temperature environment for a long time, the surface of the silicone lumbar pillow may also show aging phenomena such as powdering and cracking.
The flexibility of silicone at low temperatures can be enhanced by material modification. Adding low-temperature plasticizers, such as phenyl silicone rubber, to the silicone raw materials, its special molecular structure can reduce the glass transition temperature of silicone, so that the molecular chain still maintains a certain activity at low temperatures. Introducing flexible segments such as vinyl silicone oil can improve the flexibility of the molecular chain of silicone and improve the low-temperature adaptability of the material. In addition, the use of nanoparticle filling and modification, such as adding nano-silica, can enhance its flexibility and tear strength without affecting the basic properties of silicone, and effectively alleviate the hardening problem caused by low temperature.
Optimizing the cross-linking structure of silicone is the key to anti-aging. When using a peroxide vulcanization system, the cross-linking density should be reasonably controlled to avoid excessive cross-linking that causes the material to become hard and brittle; using a platinum vulcanization system can form a more uniform and stable cross-linking structure and reduce the breakage of chemical bonds during the aging process. In the cross-linking process, the introduction of additives with anti-aging functions, such as hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) and antioxidants, can effectively capture free radicals, inhibit oxidation reactions and light aging, and extend the service life of silicone lumbar pillows.
Surface treatment can form a protective layer on the surface of silicone lumbar pillows to improve their resistance to low temperatures and aging. By applying a silicone elastomer coating, the flexibility and weather resistance of the surface are enhanced; nano-coating technology is used to build a dense protective film on the surface of the silicone to block the erosion of aging factors such as moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays. In addition, the surface of the silicone is fluorinated to reduce surface energy, reduce the adhesion of dust and pollutants, and at the same time improve the low temperature resistance and wear resistance of the material, and delay the aging process.
The production process also has an important impact on the low temperature performance and anti-aging ability of the silicone lumbar pillow. Strictly control the process parameters such as mixing and vulcanization to ensure that the silicone material is mixed evenly and the cross-linking reaction is sufficient. The high-temperature vulcanization process can make the silicone molecular chain cross-linked more completely and improve the stability of the material; during the molding process, internal stress is avoided and cracks are reduced at low temperatures. At the same time, the post-production products are post-processed, such as high-temperature aging treatment, to eliminate residual stress and further improve the anti-aging performance of the silicone lumbar pillow.
In a low-temperature environment, the flexibility of the silicone lumbar pillow can be effectively maintained and its anti-aging ability can be improved through various technical means such as material modification, cross-linking structure optimization, surface treatment and production process improvement. With the continuous development of material science and processing technology, more innovative methods will be applied to improve the performance of silicone lumbar pillow in the future, so that the product can maintain good performance in various extreme environments and provide users with better quality and more durable lumbar support products.
