Vinyl Terminated Silicone Fluid

Vinyl silicone fluid is revolutionizing cosmetic and personal care formulations through its unique reactive properties and sensory enhancement capabilities. This functional silicone material features terminal vinyl groups that enable customizable cross-linking while maintaining the characteristic smoothness of silicone-based ingredients.

Vinyl silicone fluid represents a strategic ingredient for brands developing next-generation personal care products, offering both technical superiority and market differentiation through its unique combination of sensory enhancement and performance benefits.

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

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

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).