The ceramifiable silicone rubber composite was prepared using hydrated zinc borate and kaolin as ceramifiable fillers. Effects of the hydrated zinc borate content and the combustion temperature on the properties of the ceramifiable silicone rubber composite were investigated. Thermal decomposition and ceramifying processes of the composite in a muffle furnace under air were also studied. The results showed that the density and the hardness of the composites increased as the content of the hydrated zinc borate increased from 0 to 30 phr. The tensile strength and elongation at break decreased. In addition, hydrated zinc borate decreased the decomposition temperature of the composite, whereas the residue weight under air atmosphere was increased. In the process of decomposition and oxidation of the ceramifiable silicone rubber composite in air, B2O3 was generated by the decomposition of zinc borate and participated in the formation of the residue network structure, which decreased the temperature of the ceramifying transition. The new phases, zinc aluminate (ZnO·Al2O3) and aluminum-rich mullite (9Al2O3·2SiO2), appeared after high-temperature thermochemical reactions. Microscopy images revealed that different structures were formed at different temperatures. The network structure of the ceramic residue became increasingly compact, and the compressive strength increased from 0.31 to 1.82 MPa with the increase of temperature from 800 to 1400 °C, which had a better protective effect on heat transfer and mass loss. The weight loss and the linear shrinkage of the ceramic residue was 37.6% and 21.9%, respectively, with the 30 phr content of hydrated zinc borate. The bending strength was improved from 0.11 to 11.58 MPa, and the compressive strength also increased from 0.03 to 1.14 MPa.
Keywords: ceramization; hydrated zinc borate; silicone rubber; thermal decomposition.