Preparation and properties of hollow glass bead filled silicone rubber foams with low thermal conductivity

Silicone rubber foams filled with various content and different particle size of hollow glass bead (HGB) were prepared by compression molding. It was revealed that compared with silica filled silicone rubber foams, HGB filled materials achieved higher foaming extent, lower thermal conductivity, and lower hardness, which can be significant for thermal insulation materials. For HGB filled materials, the morphology indicated the average cell size decreased with higher HGB content and larger particle size of HGB. The density, thermal conductivity, hardness and tensile strength increased with higher HGB content and larger particle size of HGB.

► Silicone rubber foams filled with hollow glass bead prepared by compression molding. ► The effects of HGB and silica on the morphology of silicone rubber foams. ► Chain of causality between thermal conductivity and microstructure of materials. ► HGB filled materials processed better thermal insulation and lower hardness. ► HGB had positive effect on mechanical property of silicone rubber foams.