Silicone rubber for new energy vehicles


China's new energy vehicle industry began at the beginning of the 21st century. In 2001, the new energy vehicle research project was listed as a major scientific and technological topic during the national "Tenth Five Year Plan". By 2010, China increased its support for new energy vehicles, and started the pilot work of subsidy for private purchase of new energy vehicles in five cities, including Shanghai, Changchun, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Hefei. From 2011 to 2015, new energy entered the stage of industrialization, and new energy city buses, hybrid cars and small electric vehicles were promoted in the whole society. By 2020, China will further popularize new energy vehicles, multi energy hybrid vehicles, plug-in electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell cars will gradually enter ordinary families.


One of the important parts of new energy vehicles is the high-voltage wire and cable of its power part, which is responsible for delivering current from the battery end to the electric drive components, and delivering the power source of new energy vehicles. Therefore, the main differences between this kind of cable and ordinary automobile cable are as follows:


Transmission of high voltage and current: voltage up to 600V, instantaneous up to 1500V, current up to 300A;


Most of the cables with large wire diameter are arranged in the car with limited space and large bending during arrangement;


The cable generates a lot of heat, and the cabin environment is complex;


The low temperature environment of cable should be considered in the extremely cold area.


Based on the characteristics and use environment of new energy vehicle cable, the corresponding requirements are put forward for the manufacturing materials of new energy vehicle cable. For the insulation and sheath materials, good high and low temperature resistance, excellent bending resistance and tear resistance are required. At present, cross-linked polyolefin, thermoplastic elastomer and silicone rubber are widely used in the industry. Among them, silicone rubber has good resistance to high and low temperature, voltage and flexibility, which makes it very suitable for the requirements of products.


Silicone rubber is a kind of thermosetting material. The crosslinked product will not melt at high temperature. Its long-term high temperature resistance can reach 180 ℃, and can be raised to over 200 ℃ after the adjustment of the formula. Low temperature resistance up to - 50 ℃, special products up to - 120 ℃.


Silicone rubber has good insulation performance at the same time, and its breakdown voltage is above 20kV / mm, which can help the cable to maintain good insulation and stability.


As an excellent high-temperature resistant insulating material, silicone rubber provides excellent mechanical properties to protect the wires and cables, and it is also making a small contribution to the new energy vehicle industry in China.