Silicone-Release-Liner-Technology Blue Star

RELEASE COATINGS 2011
TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET

Product line - General - September 2011

TIS 33
Silicone Release Liner Technology
Product line – General

2
INTRODUCTION
This information sheet discusses the chemistry and application of silicone systems for the production of
release coatings.
1. MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF SILICONES
The term "silicone" has been used to describe a variety of organosilicon compounds. However, for release
coatings, we are only interested in organosilicon polymers containing Si-O-Si bonds. Accordingly, silicones
are defined as organosilicon polymers in which silicon atoms are bound to each other through oxygen
atoms, with the remaining silicon bonds being saturated by at least one organic group. Thus, the simple
linear silicone polymer has the following structure.
CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3
Si Si Si
140º 109º
O O O O
Silicon - denotes the chemical element (Si). This cannot be found in the pure state but is present in
chemically and thermally stable mineral compounds.
Silicone - refers to the chemical family of polyorganosiloxanes, where:

poly - indicates a great number of monomer units
organo - indicates the presence of Si-C bonds
siloxanes - indicates the presence of Si-O-Si bonds
In practice, for release coatings, the organo part of the polymer is a methyl group, but other constituents are
seen on the Si atoms.
Silicones based upon the above structure have the following characteristics.
a) They are polymeric and thus possess typical structural features of organic macromolecules.
The polymeric chains exhibit flexibility and mobility.
b) They contain silicon-oxygen bonds, and are thus fundamentally identical to the structure of silicates. It
can be said that the siloxane backbone has a semi-inorganic nature. The Si-O bond is slightly polar.
c) The presence of organic groups gives them an organic character. The methyl groups are non-polar in
nature.
Silicones therefore occupy a position intermediate between organic and inorganic compounds. It is this dual
nature which gives rise to many of their unique properties.
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3
POLYORGANOSILOXANE PRODUCTION
MeCl
Sand Silicon
Silicon Chlorosilanes
Chlorosilanes
(CH
(CH33)2)2SiCl
SiCl22 (CH
(CH33)2)2SiCl
SiCl22 (CH
(CH33)x)xSiCl
SiClyy
Hydrolysis
Co-Hydrolysis
(CH
(CH33)2)2Si(OH)
Si(OH)22
Polymerization
CH CH CH CH CH
3 3 3 3 CH
3 3
H C Si O Si O Si CH HO Si O Si O Si OH
3 3 (CH
(CH33)z)SiO
zSiO(2-z)/2
(2-z)/2
CH CH CH CH CH CH
3 3 a 3 3 3 a 3
Resins
Non reactive oils Reactive oils
Non reactive gums Reactive gums
Sand => Silicon Metal => Chlorosilanes => Polydimethylsiloxanes
- Gums & Reactive Gums

- Resins & Reactive Resins
- Oils & Reactive Oils
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2) PROPERTIES OF SILICONE POLYMERS
The basic silicone polymers have many attractive features. These include:
Resistance to temperature extremes

Electrically non-conductive
Resistance to weathering
Low degree of toxicity
Low surface energies
The basic PDMS (PolyDiMethylSiloxane) oils have certain specific properties common to all polysiloxane
fluids;
 Fluidity, compressibility & gas permeability.
 Good spreading characteristics and film forming properties.
The specific properties of the compounds used in paper release systems;

 capability of producing a three dimensional network which is relatively elastic and hydrophobic
 capability of making a non-adhesive material possess some adhesion
The behaviour and durability of the materials in service;

 low sensitivity of the physical properties to temperature
 resistance to light, ozone and electric arcs
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Release Properties
It is the low surface energy of the basic silicone polymer that gives the anti-stick properties to the silicone
coating. This low surface energy is a consequence of the hydrophobic methyl groups on the polymer. It is
assumed that the oxygen atoms in the polymer backbone are attached to the substrate via physical bonding,
and that the methyl groups align themselves towards the air interface. In fact the orientation and anchorage
of silicones to the coated substrates is somewhat more complicated but for general purposes, this simple
description is adequate.
NON-POLAR ANTI-ADHERENT SURFACE GIVEN

BY THE ORIENTATION OF THE METHYL GROUPS
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3
Si Si Si
140º 109º
O O O O
SUBSTRATE
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3. CHEMISTRY OF SILICONE RELEASE COATINGS
Linear silicone polymers, depending on their molecular weight, range from low viscosity fluids to gums.
However, they are all basically liquid in nature, i.e. they will flow. Therefore, in order to produce a hard
silicone release surface, it is necessary to crosslink or polymerise these liquids after they have been applied
to the substrate. There are a number of chemical ways in which crosslinking can be carried out. Most of
them involve the use of chemically modified silicones. These modifications incorporate into the basic
silicone macromolecule, chemical groups that can either be reacted with a second chemical group or made
to interact with each other to form a crosslink.
3.1 Thermal Curing Systems

3.1.1 Condensation Reaction
This is the reaction between a hydroxyl silicone and a hydrogen containing silicone. The reaction requires
the presence of a tin catalyst and heat to ensure fast crosslinking or cure. The formulation may also include
a bath stabiliser, fast cure additive, anchorage or release control additive. Typical catalysts are dibutyl tin
diacetate, dibutyl tin dilaurate, dioctyl tin dilaurate etc.
Water is required for the reaction to proceed.
H-[-O-Si(Me) 2 -] a -OH + (Me) 3 Si-[-O-Si(Me)(H)-] b -O-Si(Me) 3
Water, Catalyst and Heat

==>
(Me) 3 Si-[-O-Si(Me)(H)-O-Si(Me)-O-Si(Me)(H)-] c -O-Si(Me) 3
I
[O-Si(Me) 2 -] a-1 -OH + H2
Hydrogen is evolved as a by-product of this reaction.
It is also possible to condense together two hydroxyl containing silicone molecules with the elimination of
water. This side reaction often accounts for the considerable “post-cure” seen with these systems.
Sn
- - - Si- - O H + - - - Si- - O H - - Si - - - O - - - Si - - + H 2 O
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3.1.2 Addition Reactions

This technology (solventless thermally cured silicones) is by far the most important area in the European
self-adhesive label market today and most of the general information given in this document is derived
primarily from work with such systems.
It is the reaction between a vinyl containing silicone and a hydrogen containing silicone. This reaction
requires a platinum or rhodium catalyst and heat to ensure a fast cure, although the reaction will occur at
room temperature. So, the system contains an inhibitor of reaction to ensure bath stability after catalysis.
The formulation may also contain a release control additive or solvent. In addition, it is possible to cure
some platinum catalysed species by a combination of UV and IR radiation.
C H 3 C H 3 C H 3
H 2C = C H ---S i---O ---S i---O ---S i---C H = C H 2
C H C H 3 C H 3
3
+
C H 3 C H 3 C H 3
C H 3- --S i---O ---S i---O --- S i---C H 3
b
C H 3 H C H 3
Pt C H 3
C H 3- - -S i---C H 3
C H 3- - -S i---H
C H 3 C H 3 C H 3
O
b -1
H 2C = C H --- S i-- -O -- -S i- --O - --S i--- C H 2-- C H 2---S i- --C H 3
O
C H C H
C H 3
3 3
C H 3- --S i- --C H 3
a
C H 3
w h er e a ,b > 1
The typical composition of a polyaddition system is as follows:

 Polyorganosiloxane polymer - Dimethylpolysiloxane polymer containing vinyl (or alkenyl) functionalities
along the chain (i.e., mid-block) or at the end of the chain (i.e., end-block)
 Catalyst - Platinum (or Rhodium) complex dispersed in a methylvinylpolysiloxane polymer
 Cross-Linking Agent - Methylhydrogenpolysiloxane polymer, can be co-polymer or homopolymer
 Inhibitor - Unsaturated organic compounds - e.g., acetylenic alcohols, acetylenic ketones, dialkyl
maleates, alkyl azodicarboxylates. (Not always present in solvent based systems)
 Release Control Additive (RCA, CRA, modifier). Usually a blend of silicone resin and silicone reactive oils
- will normally contain inhibitor as for the polymer
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3.1.3 Chemistry of Inhibitors
All thermally cured systems require their reactive components to be mixed just prior to use. This means that
the mixed system will have a finite bath life. In order to extend this bath life at low temperatures to give a
useful working life, inhibitors are formulated into the system. These inhibitors are chemicals that are
capable of complexing with the metal catalysts thus preventing the catalyst from being activated. However,
as the temperature is elevated during the curing cycle, the inhibitors either evaporate or the inhibitor-metal
bond is broken, thus allowing the catalysis to proceed.
Condensation systems are difficult to inhibit effectively, but compounds such as alcohols, amines, carboxylic
acids and amino-polysiloxanes are commonly used.
Addition systems can be easily inhibited, in fact too easily. (One of the drawbacks of such systems is the
ease of which the platinum catalyst can be poisoned by unwanted inhibitors). The formulated inhibitors are
based on compounds which can weakly co-ordinate with the platinum such as vinyl siloxane dicarboxylic
acids, acetylenic alcohols and acetylenic ketones.
3.1.4 Advantages of Platinum Catalysis
 Faster Cure
 Less catalyst
 Long bath life
 Lower release properties
 Non-blocking for double-sided applications
 Less oven dust
 Fewer solvent recovery problems
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3.2 Radiation Polymerisation

These can be cured by UV, EB or UV/IR.
3.2.1 Free Radical

Certain groups such as acrylates, when attached to silicone polymers can crosslink via free radical
polymerisation by Ultra Violet (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) radiation.
3.2.1.1 UV
The reaction is easily inhibited by the presence of oxygen and is usually carried out under nitrogen inertion.
A photoinitiator is required to start the polymerisation. This breaks down in the presence of UV light to
produce free radicals.
UV
R => Ro
The free radical then abstracts an electron from the double bond of the acrylate group producing a new free
radical in the acrylate.
Ro + CH 2 =CHCO 2 -Si => R-CH 2 -CHo-CO 2 -Si
This new free radical will interact with further acrylate groups thus starting the chain polymerisation process.
Cure times are less than one second.
R-CH 2 -CHo-CO 2 -Si + CH 2 =CHCO 2 -Si => R-CH 2 -CH-CO 2 -Si

I
CH 2 -CHoCO 2 -Si
3.2.1.2 EB
With EB the free radical polymerisation proceeds without a photoinitiator. The silicone coating is bombarded
by electrons that transfer their energy into the product by colliding and scattering with the electrons in the
product. The electron scattering gives rise to the free radical creation, thus initiating the chain
polymerisation. This method has not yet found widespread usage.
In addition to these acrylate types, systems also exist based upon epoxy siloxanes and mercaptosiloxanes.
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3.2.2 Cationic Polymerisation from UV initiation.
These systems utilise UV radiation to generate a strong acid from the photoinitiator compound. This strong
acid then drives a cationic reaction causing polymerisation at the epoxy groups of the main polymer.
Step 1 - Acid generation

Based on Bluestar Silicones patented Silcolease® UV200 system using Cata211 photoinitiator.
Photoinitiator comprises a diaryl iodonium cation and a tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate anion, which is
represented as Ar 2 I+ BX-.
The reaction scheme for Acid generation is as follows;
UV
Ar 2 I+ BX- => ArI+o, X- + Aro
ArI+o + X- + R-H => Ar-I+-H, X- + Ro
Ar-I+-H, X- => ArI + H+, X-
Step 2 - The mechanism of polymerisation is as shown below;
A proton attacks an epoxide function to yield a protonated species in the initiation step. The protonated
epoxide can attack a second epoxide ring and propagation continues in this fashion until the growing chain
is terminated. Termination may be envisaged to occur in many ways. First, the growing epoxy chain can
cyclise resulting in proton abstraction, or alternatively, chain transfer agents can terminate chain growth and
initiate a new chain. It is also possible that impurities can quench the acid.
UV
Si-R-Epoxide=O + H+(BX)- → (Si-R-Epoxide=O-H)+ (BX)-
(Si-R-Epoxide=O-H)+ (BX)- + n(Si-R-Epoxide=O) → (Si-R-Epoxide=O)+ (BX)-

I
(Si-R-O) n -H
Here R= 6C cycloaliphatic ring with ortho (1,2) substitution of O atoms. Epoxide = C 6 H 8 O with O bonding to
adjacent C atoms and forming a “mini cyclic group”. When this is a functional group of a larger polymer
such as silicone one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by the polymer, usually at 4 or 5 position on the
epoxy ring.
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3.3. Comparison of Radiation and Thermal Cure systems
The advantages of radiation cure systems are
 very fast cure with no or little heat is generated during the process. This makes it possible to coat
temperature-sensitive plastics.
 For paper substrates, the thermal cure tends to dry out the paper so that a re-moisturisation stage is
needed. This is not necessary with radiation systems.
 Energy requirements - it is claimed that EB systems require 10 times less, and UV half the energy than
used for thermal systems.
 With improving lamp technology the cost effectiveness of UV is improving. For new and established
silicone coaters, UV as an alternative to thermal is becoming a serious option.
 Free radical cure is less sensitivity to certain inhibitors of Pt catalysts, allowing silicone coating of some
substrates previously not possible.
 Lamp size means that the installation can be a smaller unit than with thermal ovens
However, there are major disadvantages of radiation systems compared to thermal curing:
 High capital cost of coating equipment (mainly for EB only).

 Anchorage of the silicone to the substrate can be poor.
 Inert atmosphere required (free radical systems only)
 Possible interactions with certain adhesives.
 Release control poor compared to thermal systems.
 More expensive than thermal systems.
4. PRODUCT TYPES AND COATING TECHNIQUES
Silicones can be applied to the substrate in a solvent, emulsion or solventless form.
4.1 Solvent Systems
These products offer one of the most satisfactory ways of applying silicone to paper. The polymers are
normally of medium to high molecular weight and are supplied at 30-50% solids. The end user will dilute
them to between 2-10% for coating. Although the viscosity of this coating bath is low, there is little
penetration into the paper because of the relatively high molecular weight of the silicone polymers. The
solvent is evaporated during the first part of the curing cycle leaving an even silicone film of about 0.4-0.8
gsm coatweight. Simple coating methods such as Meyer bar and gravure systems are suitable for the
application. Both tin and platinum catalysed types exist.
Solvent recovery is important because of increasing legislation to control pollution and also because of
increasing solvent costs. Solvent recovery is carried out by absorption of the solvent vapours onto activated
carbon, followed by steaming to remove the solvent and then separation by distillation.
Platinum catalysts are however more readily poisoned than tin catalysts. Also tin systems can be more
versatile with respect to adhesive compatibility. Solvent-based systems have now been virtually phased out
in Europe where strong VOC legislation has come to pass in recent years. For the vast majority of label
applications in Europe, solventless silicones are normally used. Solvent systems do however still have
predominant share in other areas such as USA and Asia. The trend in these areas is possibly towards
solventless but also somewhat towards emulsion silicones.
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Typical Coating Techniques
Meyer or Meter Bar
This simple coating technique can be used for solvent based and emulsion silicone coatings.
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Direct Gravure
Gravure Cylinders are basically a steel cylinder
fitted to a roller with a copper-coated surface,
which is engraved, and then flash chromed. The
depth, density and shape of the engraved cells
will determine the coating pattern and deposit.
For blanket coating the cells are all the same
size. For harder wearing surface, ceramic
cylinders are used.
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Product line - General - September
tember 2011
4.2 Emulsion Systems
These are normally supplied at 40-50% solids and consist of medium to low molecular weight silicone
polymers emulsified with non-ionic surfactants or colloidal protective agents. Traditionally, they have been
most commonly used for the manufacture of food release papers rather than for release liners. This
situation is now changing due to the introduction of high performance addition cured emulsions which
because of superior bath life characteristics can be coated at higher solids (20-40%) compared to older
systems. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, water when compared to solvents, requires much
greater energy input to be removed and thus a high solids coating is essential for economic reasons.
Secondly, excess penetration of water into the paper will cause a cockle effect in the paper after drying. This
renders it unsuitable for the manufacture of label stock. The higher the coating solids, the less water is
present and hence the better the quality of the coated paper.
In addition, by using a substrate with a good level of internal sizing and a silicone emulsion with a large
particle size, it is possible to prevent further penetration into the substrate. Another advantage of the large
particle size emulsion is that it is readily broken down after coating, allowing the crosslinker and polymer to
rapidly react together and form of continuous silicone film over the substrate. The negative impact of large
particle size is reduced bath stability and so a compromise must be reached to ensure optimum
performance. For this type of high solids coating one of the best techniques is the reverse gravure coating
method with a hard wearing ceramic gravure. Standard chromed steel gravure and Meyer bar can also be
used.
One of the main advantages of emulsion systems is that they can be used in the size press of a paper
machine to produce siliconised paper without the need for secondary converting process. In practice, this
technique is mainly limited to the production of food release papers and general industrial grades.
Furthermore there are a wide variety of water-soluble polymers that can be utilised to improve the emulsion
performance in application. Materials such as cellulosic polymers (CMC, HEC) and PVOH give water
retention, viscosity and wetting modification. Surfactants can be used to aid wetting but these must be
carefully selected so as not to disrupt the surfactant system used in the emulsification of the silicone
components.
Typical Emulsion Coating Technique

(See also solvent based coating techniques above)
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Size press
This technique is more often used for bakery applications as both sides of the paper are treated at the same
time. Coatweights are varied by the bath solids and nip cylinder pressure.
15
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4.3 Solventless Systems

These were developed not only to save on solvent costs but also to reduce environmental effects. In order
to obtain a reasonably low coatweight, these products are very low in molecular weight compared to the
solvent-based types and specialised multi-roll coating techniques are needed in order to achieve
coatweights in the region of 0.7-1.4 gm-2 in addition to specialised smooth high holdout papers. The
chemistry of the two main types of solventless products.has been described in section 3
Typical Coating Heads for Solventless Silicones
16
17
2) Typical Offset Differential Gravure Coating Head
17
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5. PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
The three main requirements of any silicone system are that it should cure quickly and fully, it should anchor
well to the substrate (good abrasion resistance) and that the release should be satisfactory.
5.1 Cure
There are a number of factors that have been identified as being important to the cure of silicone systems:
 Temperature
 Oven Air velocity
 Silicone composition
 Catalyst
 Solvent
 Inhibitors
 Coatweight
 Substrate
5.2 Abrasion (“rub-off”) Resistance
The abrasion resistance of a silicone coating is related to its bonding to the substrate and to its own
cohesive strength. The early solvent-based tin catalysed condensation systems had poor abrasion
resistance and needed special anchorage additives. These were amino functional silicones that were
capable of bonding to the substrate and also cross-linking into the main silicone polymer network. With
platinum catalysed silicones it is not possible to use these additives because they tend to poison the
platinum. Instead, by increasing the "tightness" of the cross-linking it is possible to develop a harder and
more abrasion resistant coating. Also using variations on reactive group contents, their position and also
the molecular weight of the polymer, the abrasion properties of the coating can be iimproved.
Another important factor for good silicone anchorage is the substrate, where surface energy, surface
roughness and porosity are important factors in silicone anchorage. Also, with solvent-based systems, it is
possible by correct choice of solvent to improve the wet out of the silicone that will improve the anchorage.
The same can be said for emulsions and surface tension additives.
5.3 Release and Release Control
A major technical requirement of the silicone is the ability to meet specific release specifications. This
involves the need to both raise and lower the release forces in order to match the requirements of an ever-
increasing range of adhesives. Adhesives of high and low tack, high and low adhesive strength and
different chemical constitutions all require different release characteristics of the silicone coating.
By disruption of the entire methyl surface of the cured silicone film, it is possible to increase the release
forces. This can be achieved by incorporating silicone resin into the silicone film. The best types involve
resins that are reacted into the system. These products are known as Release Control Additives (RCA's).
Another demand is to reduce the release force, especially when using an aggressive adhesive. This is most
common on solvent-based systems. The original approach to this problem was to incorporate non-reactive
silicone polymers into the reactive areas that gave a softer film. This worked reasonably well with rubber-
based adhesives, but is not so good with acrylic adhesives.
A more successful way to reduce the release forces is to incorporate silicone polymers with large alkyl
groups attached to the silicon atom such as dodecyl groups. These groups enhance the non-polar organic
nature of the silicones to give a low or premium release.
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19
Another approach to controlling the release force has been to vary the cross-linking density of the silicone
coating. This can be done through the characteristics of the polymer and also the type and quantity of
crosslinker. Control of the release properties by such polymer design allows control of the release profile.
That is, the release at different converting speeds can be controlled, leading to one system which may have
a very flat release with speed and another which could give easy release at low speeds and tighter release
at fast de-laminating speeds.
These factors are generally applicable only to thermal solventless systems. Solvent based systems tend to
give a different release profile to solventless systems due to their different properties and also the fact that
they have a totally different crosslink density.
ONE CANNOT develop silicone release coatings independent of the coating process, base paper or
film, adhesive, face-material or end-use.
The following factors have been found to affect the release:
Adhesive
chemical nature uniformity of coating weight
modulus cure (cross-linking)
surface energy residual solvent level
coating weight component migration
Silicone Release Layer

polymer type crosslink density
polymer properties film continuity
stoichiometry cure mechanism
modulus surface energy
coating weight extent of cure
uniformity of coating weight level of release additive
smoothness of coating
Substrate (paper, film or combination thereof)

type of paper or film surface energy
porosity pH
smoothness internal bond strength
stiffness / flexibility surface absorbency
calliper consistency residual chemicals from manufacturing
Laminate
type of substrate and face sheet moisture content balance
flexibility / stiffness elongation
mode of adhesive application
Converting
stripping speed stripping angle
mode physical dimensions
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Key Paper Properties

porosity smoothness
internal bond strength calliper consistency
stiffness/ flexibility pH
surface bond strength surface absorbency
Paper Chemicals
nature of clay coating binder chemistry
sizing chemistry inhibitors of platinum
e.g., biocides, amines, calcium carbonate, etc.
The correct use of silicone release systems is an involved and complicated topic, which must take account
of all aspects of the final end application of the self-adhesive or other material. Additional information is
available from your Bluestar technical service centre on the topics mentioned here.
Visit our website www.bluestarsilicones.com
EUROPE NORTH AMERICA LATIN AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC

Bluestar Silicones France Bluestar Silicones USA Bluestar Silicones Brazil Ltda. Bluestar Silicones Hong Kong
21 Avenue Georges Pompidou CN 3000, Av.Maria Coelho Aguiar, 215 Trading Co. Ltd.
F69486 Lyon Cedex 03 8 Cedar Brook Drive, Bloco B-2o.andar - Parte 1 Unit C, 18/F Manulife Tower
FRANCE Cranbury, NJ 08512-3000 CEP 05804-902- Sao Paulo/SP 169 Electric Road
Tel. (33) 4 72 13 19 00 Tel. (1) 609 860 3100 Brazil North Point-Hong Kong
Fax (33) 4 72 13 19 88 Fax (1) 609 860 8078 Tel. (55) 11 3741 8860 Tel. (852) 3106 8200
Fax (55) 11 3741 7718 Fax (852) 2979 0241
Warning to the users
The information contained in this document is given in good faith based on our current knowledge. It is only an indication and is in no way binding,
particularly as regards infringement of or prejudice to third party rights through the use of our products. BLUESTAR SILICONES guarantees that its
products comply with its sales specifications. This information must on no account be used as a substitute for necessary prior tests which alone can
ensure that a product is suitable for given use. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with local legislation and for obtaining the necessary
certifications and authorisations. Users are requested to check that they are in possession of the latest version of this document and BLUESTAR
SILICONES is at their disposal to supply any additional information.
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RELEASE COATINGS 2011

TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET

TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET

Product line – General

1. MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF SILICONES

Silicone - refers to the chemical family of polyorganosiloxanes, where:

Sand => Silicon Metal => Chlorosilanes => Polydimethylsiloxanes

- Gums & Reactive Gums

2) PROPERTIES OF SILICONE POLYMERS

Resistance to temperature extremes

The specific properties of the compounds used in paper release systems;

The behaviour and durability of the materials in service;

NON-POLAR ANTI-ADHERENT SURFACE GIVEN

3. CHEMISTRY OF SILICONE RELEASE COATINGS

3.1 Thermal Curing Systems

Water is required for the reaction to proceed.

H-[-O-Si(Me) 2 -] a -OH + (Me) 3 Si-[-O-Si(Me)(H)-] b -O-Si(Me) 3

Water, Catalyst and Heat

Hydrogen is evolved as a by-product of this reaction.

3.1.2 Addition Reactions

H 2C = C H ---S i---O ---S i---O ---S i---C H = C H 2

C H 3- --S i---O ---S i---O --- S i---C H 3

The typical composition of a polyaddition system is as follows:

3.1.3 Chemistry of Inhibitors

3.1.4 Advantages of Platinum Catalysis

3.2 Radiation Polymerisation

3.2.1 Free Radical

Ro + CH 2 =CHCO 2 -Si => R-CH 2 -CHo-CO 2 -Si

R-CH 2 -CHo-CO 2 -Si + CH 2 =CHCO 2 -Si => R-CH 2 -CH-CO 2 -Si

3.2.2 Cationic Polymerisation from UV initiation.

Step 1 - Acid generation

The reaction scheme for Acid generation is as follows;

ArI+o + X- + R-H => Ar-I+-H, X- + Ro

Ar-I+-H, X- => ArI + H+, X-

Step 2 - The mechanism of polymerisation is as shown below;

(Si-R-Epoxide=O-H)+ (BX)- + n(Si-R-Epoxide=O) → (Si-R-Epoxide=O)+ (BX)-

3.3. Comparison of Radiation and Thermal Cure systems

The advantages of radiation cure systems are

 High capital cost of coating equipment (mainly for EB only).

4. PRODUCT TYPES AND COATING TECHNIQUES

Silicones can be applied to the substrate in a solvent, emulsion or solventless form.

4.1 Solvent Systems

Typical Coating Techniques

Meyer or Meter Bar

4.2 Emulsion Systems

Typical Emulsion Coating Technique

4.3 Solventless Systems

Typical Coating Heads for Solventless Silicones

2) Typical Offset Differential Gravure Coating Head

5.2 Abrasion (“rub-off”) Resistance

5.3 Release and Release Control

Silicone Release Layer

Substrate (paper, film or combination thereof)

Key Paper Properties

Visit our website www.bluestarsilicones.com

EUROPE NORTH AMERICA LATIN AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC

Warning to the users

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