The deterioration of foamed silicone rubber in humid and hot environments

The mechanical properties of foamed silicone rubber are outstanding: it can show better high-temperature resistance and ageing resistance than other compact materials in practical application. To characterise the changes in foamed silicone rubber performance in humid and hot environments, we expound the influence of ageing time, temperature and humidity on foamed silicone rubber through physical performance testing under different ageing conditions. A method of measuring lateral strain is proposed according to the compressibility of such a material. Through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy energy spectral analysis and crosslinking density tests, the changes in foamed silicone rubber’s physical properties are explained, and the ageing mechanism of foamed silicone rubber is described. The mechanical simulation model of the sealing strip used in a lithium battery shell was established to verify the variation of its mechanical properties with increased ageing time, temperature and humidity, and the combination of mechanical simulation and physical performance test data can provide guidance for future research into the use of the material in static sealing mechanisms.