As a high-performance silicone material, ethyl silicone oil is widely used in key systems and components in the aviation industry due to its excellent high and low temperature resistance, chemical stability, insulation and lubricity, meeting the strict requirements of the aviation field for material lightweight, reliability and environmental adaptability. The following are its main application directions and specific cases:
1. Engine and high-temperature components
Lubricating oil and cooling system:
As a lubricating oil additive, ethyl silicone oil can improve the high temperature resistance and oxidation resistance of the base oil, reduce the wear of engine bearings, gears and other components at high temperatures, and is especially suitable for turbine engines and auxiliary power units (APUs).
Thermal protective coating:
Protective coating used for high temperature areas such as engine turbine blades and tail nozzles to enhance heat resistance and corrosion resistance.
2. Hydraulic and transmission systems
Hydraulic oil additives:
Improve the viscosity-temperature characteristics of hydraulic oil to ensure stable power transmission at extreme temperatures (such as -50℃ to above 200℃), and is suitable for hydraulic systems such as aircraft landing gear and flaps.
Transmission lubrication:
Provide long-term lubrication for high-load gearboxes and transmission shafts to reduce friction losses.
3. Sealing and anti-corrosion
Fuel and hydraulic system sealing:
Ethyl silicone oil-based sealants or elastomers are used for fuel tanks and pipe joints to withstand aviation fuel corrosion and maintain sealing performance for a long time.
Anti-corrosion coating:
Applied to the surface of aircraft skins and structural parts to resist the erosion of salt spray, humidity and chemical media.
4. Damping and shock absorption
Vibration control:
Ethyl silicone oil damping materials are used in aircraft cabins, electronic equipment compartments and other areas to absorb vibration and noise, improve passenger comfort and equipment stability.
Engine blade damping:
Reduce fatigue damage caused by high-frequency vibration of turbine blades.
5. Electrical and electronic equipment
Insulation and thermal conductive materials:
Potting glue and heat dissipation paste used for avionics equipment provide excellent insulation and thermal conductivity efficiency to ensure the reliability of equipment under extreme temperatures.
Cable protection:
As a wire harness jacket or filling material to prevent moisture and oil from corroding the cable.
6. Composite manufacturing
Mold release agent and process aid:
During the molding process of carbon fiber composite materials (such as wings and fuselages), ethyl silicone oil is used as a mold release agent to improve production efficiency and protect the mold surface.
Resin modification:
Improve the weather resistance and flame retardancy of composite materials.
7. Special functional applications
Anti-icing system:
As an additive for anti-icing coatings on aircraft windshields and sensors, it reduces the adhesion of ice.
Radiation protection:
During high-altitude flight, ethyl silicone oil-based materials can partially shield the interference of cosmic radiation on electronic equipment.
Advantages and challenges
Core advantages:
Wide temperature range stability (-70℃ to above 300℃) adapts to extreme aviation environments;
Low volatility and chemical inertness reduce maintenance frequency;
Lightweight potential helps aviation energy conservation and emission reduction.
Challenges and responses:
Strict airworthiness certification (such as RTCA/DO-160, MIL-SPEC standards) must be passed, and compatibility issues with metal substrates must be resolved in some areas.
Typical application cases
F-35 fighter: Ethyl silicone oil-based grease is used to protect the landing gear bearings and adapt to the high impact loads of vertical/short takeoff and landing.
Boeing 787 composite fuselage: Ethyl silicone oil release agent is used to improve the molding efficiency of carbon fiber parts.
Satellites and rockets: In a vacuum environment, ethyl silicone oil is used as a lubricating material for space mechanisms to solve the problem of traditional grease volatilization.
As the aviation industry develops towards higher performance and more environmentally friendly directions, research on ethyl silicone oil in the fields of bio-based modification and low volatility formulations will further expand its application scenarios.