NOVEL WET-PROCESS SILICA PREPARED FROM ALKYL SILICATES .3. USE IN SILICONE ELASTOMERS FOR OPTICAL APPLICATIONS

This paper discusses the unique features of new WPH silica technology as it relates to optically clear silicone elastomes. The term, optically clear, in the context of this paper refers to an elastomeric material, 2. 54 mm in thickness, that exhibits less than 4% haze, and more than 85% transmission. It was shown that, when using the older technology based on isorefractive compositions, optical clarity was reduced with temperature change from the isorefractive temperature, due primarily to an increase in hase. The new silica technology eliminates this problem and effectively broadens the application temperatures for optically clear, thermally stable silicone elastomers.