If you use silicone oil for your business, you must know how important it is for your business. Before you choose silicone oil for your application, you must also understand the concept of viscosity. It is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. Viscosity affects a fluid’s lubrication, thermal stability, and performance in various working conditions. Many industries – right from textiles to healthcare – depend on silicone oil lubricants for smooth functioning.
Silicone Oil and Its Working
Silicone oil, or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), consists of long polymers of silicon and oxygen molecules. In addition to these advantages, it has high thermal and chemical stability, is chemically inert, has low surface tension and excellent lubricant properties. The silicone oil is used as an alternative to the mineral or organic oils because it is stable over a broader temperature band (50°C to +200°C).
Common Silicone Oil Uses
- As a silicone oil lubricant in automobile machinery and manufacturing.
- In hydraulic fluids
- In personal care elements such as lotions, serums, and hair treatments.
- In food processing units
- In electrical insulation.
- As a freezing agent in the rubber, plastic, and moulding industries.
Understanding Viscosity in Silicone Oils
The measurements of viscosity are expressed in centistokes (cSt) and which expresses the ease of passage of a fluid through another fluid. Silicone oils of low viscosity (10-100 cSt) are low viscosity, fast-flowing oils and are applied in light lubrication or coating.
Medium viscosity oils (200-1,000 cSt) lube oils are more stable and can be used in general-purpose lubrication and heat transfer. Silicone oils with a high viscosity at 5,000-100,000 cSt are thick oils which are used in damping, sealing, and in speciality mechanical systems. The temperature and pressure may have some slight effects on the viscosity, but silicone oils are in demand because of their stable viscosity index-that is, their flowability does not vary drastically with temperature or pressure.
Comparison Between Various Viscosity Grades and Their Applications
Let us now compare various silicone oil viscosity grades and their applications.
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Viscosity (cSt)
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Characteristics
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Typical Applications
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10 – 50 cSt
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Very light, low drag, quick spreading
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Cosmetics, surface coating, and light lubrication
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100–350 cSt
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Moderate flow, balanced performance
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General machinery, electrical insulation, textile finishing
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500 – 1,000 cSt
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Thicker, durable film formation
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Hydraulic fluids, release agents, and metal die casting
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5,000 – 12,500 cSt
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High damping capacity
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Automotive shock absorbers, vibration control
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30,000 – 100,000+ cSt
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Very thick, high resistance
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Mechanical seals, gear damping, precision instruments
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The viscosity selection is fully dependent on application temperature, surface type, and the lubrication level desired for the application.
Silicone Oil in Industrial and Everyday Uses
Mechanical lubrication is not the only usage of silicone oils. Their flexibility gives them the ability to work in different positions in different industries:
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Used as a hair and skin condensing agent.
Makes it more spreadable and leaves a smooth finish without being greasy.
Automotive and Aerospace
It is used as brake fluid, damping oil, and lubricant for switches and seals.
Works well in vibration, pressure, and high temperature.
Textiles and Coatings
Applied to fabric during finishing as a soft touch and anti-wrinkle finish.
Offers water resistance and enhanced textile smoothness.
Chemical & Food Industries
Use as an anti-foam agent to check the unwanted foam formation during processing.
Applied to conveyor lubricating systems and packaging.
Choosing the Right Silicone Oil Viscosity For Your Business
When determining which silicone oil grade fits your process:
- Operating Temperature: Fluids with higher viscosity are used with a rise in temperature.
- Speed of Movement: If the moving parts are fast, a lower viscosity oil needs to be used in order to minimise drag.
Collaborating with a reputed silicone oil manufacturer in Gandhi Nagar helps you get the best-quality silicone oil for your business.
Conclusion
At this point in the blog, you now realise how important the viscosity grade is for your application. Depending on your business application, you can choose higher-viscosity oil and low-viscosity oil. Sourcing from a reputable Silicone Oil Manufacturer in Gandhi Nagar will ensure that you receive the right viscous grade, quality, and value for your applicati
