Ethylsilicone rubber is a high molecular weight linear polymeric silicone with a portion of diethylsiloxane linkages in the main molecular chain. It possesses superior cold resistance compared to phenylsilicone rubber and is suitable for applications in high latitude and cold regions.
With the increase in ethyl content, the low-temperature resistance improves. However, heat-resistant siloxanes are copolymerized with hexethylcyclotrisiloxane under the action of alkaline catalysts. After the catalysts are destroyed and low-boiling impurities are removed under vacuum, raw rubber is obtained. Alternatively, it can be synthesized by the co-hydrolysis and polycondensation of dimethyldichlorosilane and diethyldichlorosilane.