WACKER unveiled a new type of electroactive silicone laminate that will be displayed at the 2019 Plastics Trade Fair in Germany this October.
NEXIPAL® Silicone Laminate is based on WACKER's silicone film. This ultra-thin precision film, 20 to 400 microns thick, supplied in roll form, has dielectric properties and is an electroactive laminated silicone. Important constituent materials. These precision films can perform or measure motion after being coated with a conductive material, and then composited layer by layer into a multilayer material.
WACKER pointed out that the silicone laminate was developed in collaboration with the Intelligent Materials Systems Laboratory at the University of Saarland, Germany. NEXIPAL® laminates have the following characteristics:
It consists of multiple layers of silicone precision films coated with conductive materials;
Each layer of film is placed between flexible electrodes. As long as a voltage is applied, the positive and negative charge carriers of the electrode will attract each other, causing the organic silicon film between the two electrodes to deform.
The film will become thinner, longer and wider, and the surface stretch of the film is proportional to the voltage and pressure;
After discharge, the restoring force of this highly elastic film will restore the NEXIPAL® laminate to its original shape;
The deformation-recovery process can be repeated numerous times.
NEXIPAL® laminates can also be used as sensors for electrical deformation measurement. Compared to existing solenoid valve technology, the advantages of electroactive laminated silicone materials are:
Power is consumed only when the power is switched, and the product has a longer service life, which can significantly reduce costs;
Does not become hot during use, eliminating tedious component cooling processes.
WACKER pointed out that silicone rubber is a key component in the product and provides ideal dielectric properties for the electrical activity of the laminate. After silicone rubber is coated with a conductive layer to enable it to perform and measure deformations, and is then laminated to form a multilayer stack, silicone laminates are considered "wear-free, compact, and energy efficient."
Silicone laminates are attractive for innovative applications in medical technology, sensors, and robotics, as well as in the direction of automotive mirrors or headlights. Silicone laminates are also capable of continuous movement like artificial muscles.
WACKER said that the company is currently constructing a silicone laminate production line, which is scheduled to start production in the second half of 2020. The silicone laminate can be modified to the size and design of the laminate according to customer needs. The establishment of production lines will reduce the gap in innovative technologies in the supply chain.