Reversible Dynamic Behavior of Condensation‐Cured Silicone Elastomers Caused by a Catalyst

Abstract

Abstract This study demonstrates that dibutyltin‐dilaurate (DBTL), commonly used to catalyze condensation‐cured silicone elastomers, causes dynamic behavior in the silicone network, which is attributed to the catalyst finding a way to become part of the elastomer network. Furthermore, it establishes that by choosing an appropriate silanol‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HO‐PDMS‐OH) chain length, the catalyst causes the gelation of the system without a cross‐linker. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first time that the DBTL catalyst is shown, apart from the catalytic effect, to have the ability to act as a cross‐linker.

Keywords

• condensation cure
• dynamic networks
• rheology
• silicone elastomers
• tin catalysts