Vinyl Terminated Silicone Fluid

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Colorless transparent to pale yellow liquid
• Viscosity Range: 50–100,000 cSt (customizable)
• Solubility: Compatible with cosmetic solvents (e.g., cyclopentasiloxane, isododecane)
• Volatility: Extremely low volatile content (<0.3% at 100°C × 24h)
• Refractive Index: 1.40–1.42 (at 25°C)
• Surface Tension: 20–22 mN/m

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Contains active vinyl groups for crosslinking reactions
• Stability: Resistant to acids/alkalis (pH 3–11) and oxidation
• Safety: Passes ISO 10993 skin irritation testing
• Environmental Compliance: Meets EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009
• Compatibility: Excellent with silicone elastomers, UV filters, and other cosmetic ingredients

Product Functions

• Silky-Smooth Texture: Enhances product spreadability for effortless application.
• Long-Lasting Wear: Boosts makeup longevity and water resistance.
• Water/Sweat Resistance: Improves durability of sunscreen in aquatic or high-sweat conditions.
• Hair Care Benefits: Enhances combability and adds luminous shine to hair.
• Skincare Film Formation: Balances film-forming ability with breathability for non-greasy protection.

Core Advantages

Feature	Technical Parameter	Application Value
Superior Skin Feel	50–70% reduction in friction coefficient (vs. conventional formulations)	Enhances user experience with silky-smooth application.
Long-Lasting Wear	Makeup wear time extended by 3–5 hours	Boosts competitiveness of color cosmetics in long-wear markets.
Water/Sweat Resistance	Retention rate >85% after water immersion/sweat testing	Improves longevity of sunscreen efficacy in extreme conditions.
Gentle & Safe	Passes skin irritation testing (ISO 10993)	Enables development of sensitive skin-friendly products.
Multifunctional Compatibility	Compatible with multiple active ingredients (vitamins, SPF agents, etc.)	Drives formulation innovation for multifunctional cosmetics.

Market Value

Core Performance Drivers of Market Demand

• Superior Rheological Modification Capabilities

Low-viscosity grades (50–500 cSt): Significantly reduce formulation greasiness and enhance spreadability (e.g., serums, lightweight lotions).

High-viscosity grades (>10,000 cSt): Strengthen film-forming properties to improve product longevity (e.g., long-wear foundations, waterproof coatings).

• Chemical Inertness & Stability

Resistant to pH fluctuations and extreme temperatures (-40°C to 200°C), compatible with acidic formulations (e.g., AHAs/BHAs) and antioxidant-rich products.

Non-reactive with common cosmetic ingredients (e.g., vitamins C/E, UV filters), ensuring formulation integrity during storage and use.

• Sensory Optimization

Delivers a “silky-matte” finish, replacing traditional emollients like mineral oil or squalane.

Eliminates the heavy “oil film” sensation, aligning with consumer demand for lightweight, non-greasy textures.

• Low Surface Tension

Ensures uniform dispersion of pigments and powders in foundations and color cosmetics, preventing caking or sedimentation.

Key Market Value Drivers

• Premiumization & Consumer Trends

Demand for “Lightweight, Non-Greasy” Formulas:

Drives silicone oil adoption in serums, sunscreens, and primers.

High-Purity Grades:

Luxury skincare brands prioritize vinyl silicone oils with metal ions <10 ppm for enhanced stability and safety.

• Regulatory & Safety Advantages

Global Compliance:

Meets FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC No 1223/2009).

Safety Testing:

Passes HRIPT (Human Repeat Insult Patch Test) for sensitive skin applications.

• Technological Innovations for High-Value Applications

Crosslinking Modifications:

Platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation enables water-resistant hair care products (e.g., long-lasting conditioners).

Microemulsification:

Develops water-soluble silicone oils for compatibility with polar actives (e.g., hyaluronic acid).

Functional Derivatives:

Amino/polyether modifications enhance moisturization or anti-static performance (e.g., anti-frizz hair serums).

• Rapid Growth in Asia-Pacific Markets

Regional Demand:

China and Korea fuel demand for “matte oil-control” and “weightless texture” products.

Local Supply Chain Development:

Domestic manufacturers (e.g., Bluestar, Wynca) replace imports, reducing costs by 15–20%.

Technical Challenges & Future Trends

• Current Technical Bottlenecks
• Catalyst Residue Impacts:Trace alkaline catalysts (e.g., TMAH) may reduce storage stability, leading to gelation (“structured” phenomena).
• Solution: Advanced purification (ion-exchange resins) or immobilized catalysts to minimize residuals.
• Emulsion Compatibility:Instability when formulated with anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, SLS).
• Solution: Optimize emulsifier systems (e.g., nonionic surfactants) or use silicone-polyether hybrids.
• Future Innovation Directions
• Bio-Based Vinyl Silicones:Renewable Feedstocks: Use bio-methanol from agricultural waste to reduce carbon emissions by 30–50%.
• Certifications: Target USDA BioPreferred or EU Ecolabel compliance for eco-conscious markets.
• Responsive Silicones:pH/Temperature Sensitivity: Design silicones that release actives (e.g., retinol) under specific skin conditions.
• Applications: Smart sunscreens with UV-triggered hydration or acne treatments with pH-responsive delivery.
• Ultra-Low Molecular Weight Silicones (<500 Da):Non-Comedogenic: Prevent pore clogging, ideal for “acne-safe” skincare and primers.
• Penetration Control: Ensure minimal skin absorption while maintaining barrier protection.

Conclusion

• The market value of vinyl silicones in cosmetics and personal care stems from:
• Irreplaceable Performance:Unmatched sensory benefits (silky texture) and chemical stability across formulations.
• Premiumization Trends:Demand for high-purity (>99.9%) and functional grades (e.g., amino-modified for hydration).
• APAC Supply Chain Dominance:Localized production in China/Korea cuts costs by 15–25%, accelerating adoption in mass-market products.

Experimental Data & Case Studies

Experimental Data

Test Item	Test Method	Test Result	Conventional Product Comparison
Spreadability	In vitro spreading area analysis	40% improvement	15–20% improvement
Water Resistance	Water wipe test (10 cycles)	90% retention	60–70% retention
Sensory Evaluation	Expert blind panel score	4.8/5.0	3.5–4.2/5.0
Formulation Stability	1-month accelerated test at 45°C	No phase separation/discoloration	Slight phase separation

Successful Application Cases

• Long-Lasting Foundation

Issue: Regular foundation tends to fade.

Solution: Added 3% vinyl silicone oil.

Result: Makeup longevity extended to 12 hours.

• Waterproof Sunscreen

Requirement: Enhanced water resistance.

Solution: Adopted a vinyl silicone oil film-forming system.

Result: SPF retention rate of 85% after 80 minutes of water immersion.

• Premium Hair Conditioner

Challenge: Repair damaged hair while maintaining a lightweight feel.

Solution: Blended vinyl silicone oil formulation.

Result: 60% improvement in combing ease with no heaviness.

Preparation Process, Core Technologies, and Key Considerations

Preparation Process

• Raw Material Selection
• Main Monomers:

Dimethylcyclosiloxane (D4/D5): Provides the PDMS backbone.

Vinyl Terminating Agent (e.g., Tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane, Vi-MVi): Supplies terminal vinyl groups.

• Catalysts:

Acidic Catalysis (e.g., sulfuric acid, solid acid): Low cost but produces more byproducts, requiring strict post-treatment.

Alkaline Catalysis (e.g., Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide, TMAH): Yields narrower molecular weight distribution (PDI <1.2), suitable for high-end applications.

Optional Solvents: Toluene, cyclohexane (used to reduce viscosity and improve reaction uniformity).

• Ring-Opening Polymerization
• Reaction Mechanism:

Under catalyst action, D4/D5 undergoes ring-opening polymerization and reacts with Vi-MVi to form vinyl-terminated linear polysiloxane.

• Process Conditions:

Temperature: 80–120°C (alkaline) or room temperature–60°C (acidic).

Time: 2–6 hours (depending on target molecular weight).

Vacuum Dehydration: Removes reaction-generated water or low-boiling byproducts.

• Catalyst Removal
• Neutralization:

Acidic catalysts: neutralized with sodium carbonate.

Alkaline catalysts: neutralized with phosphoric acid or CO₂.

Thermal Decomposition:

TMAH decomposes at high temperature (~180°C) into trimethylamine and methanol.

Filtration:

Solid-supported catalysts (e.g., molecular sieves) can be removed by filtration.

• Purification & Refinement

Low-Boiler Removal: Vacuum distillation to eliminate unreacted D4/D5 and small cyclic compounds.

Decolorization: Activated carbon or clay adsorption to remove impurities (critical for electronic/medical grades).

Ultrafiltration: 0.1–0.45 μm membrane filtration to remove particulates (essential for transparent formulations).

• Molecular Weight & Performance Control

Molecular Weight Adjustment:

Controlled by the feed ratio of Vi-MVi to D4 (higher Vi-MVi reduces molecular weight).

Vinyl Content Regulation:

Increasing Vi-MVi boosts terminal vinyl content (0.1%–1.5%).

Introducing methylvinylcyclosiloxane (ViD3/ViD4) adds side-chain vinyl groups, enhancing crosslinking capability.

Core Technologies

• Narrow Molecular Weight Distribution Control

Dynamic Equilibrium Technology: Extended reaction time ensures more uniform molecular weight distribution (PDI <1.1).

Continuous Process: Tubular reactors with precise temperature control prevent localized overheating and uneven distribution.

• High-Purity Process

Deep Catalyst Removal: Ion-exchange resins or chelating agents reduce metal ion residues (<1 ppm).

Oxygen- & Moisture-Free Environment: Prevents vinyl group oxidation (high-end products require nitrogen protection).

• Functional Modification Technology

Side-Chain Vinyl Introduction: Copolymerization with ViD3/ViD4 increases crosslinking density (used in wash-resistant haircare products).

Polyether Modification: Incorporation of EO/PO segments (e.g., PEG-10) enhances water solubility (for makeup removers).

Amino Modification: Improves hair adhesion (e.g., amino silicone blends in conditioners).

• Emulsification & Stability Optimization

Self-Emulsifying Silicone: Grafting polyether groups (e.g., BELSIL® VEGF 21) enables water dispersibility.

Microemulsion Technology: High-speed homogenization + HLB adjustment produces stable silicone emulsions (particle size <100 nm).

• Green Process Innovation

Solvent-Free Polymerization: Bulk polymerization reduces VOC emissions.

Bio-Based Feedstock: D4 synthesized from bio-methanol lowers carbon footprint.

Waste Recycling: D4/D5 recovery rate >95%.

Key Considerations

• Storage Conditions: Sealed, protected from light, 15–25°C.
• Shelf Life: 24 months unopened.
• Compatibility Warnings: Avoid direct mixing with strong oxidizers.
• Safety Precautions: Wear gloves during handling.

Packaging & Ordering

Packaging: 200kg/1000kg plastic drums (customizable).

Basic Product Information

• Product Name: Vinyl Terminated Fluid
• Appearance: Colorless Transparent Liquid

TYPICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance	Colorless Transparent Liquid
Viscosity (25℃),mm2/s	70-110000
Vinylcontent %	0.06-1.08
Volatile content （150℃，3h),%	≤1.5