Phenyl silicone rubber has recently made milestone progress in the field of engineering materials for extreme environments. With its unique phenyl-modified molecular structure, this material demonstrates unparalleled resistance to extreme low temperatures, strong radiation, and excellent environmental stability. It has become the material of choice for critical sealing in fourth-generation nuclear energy systems and protective materials for deep space probes, providing a reliable material foundation for humanity’s exploration and utilization of extreme environments.

Research data shows that phenyl silicone rubber maintains over 80% of its elasticity at extremely low temperatures of -100°C, with its glass transition temperature significantly lower than that of ordinary silicone rubber. After cumulative gamma radiation exposure of up to 1×10⁷ Gy, the material retains more than 85% of its mechanical properties. Simultaneously, its extremely low vacuum outgassing characteristics meet the stringent cleanliness requirements of spacecraft for ultra-high vacuum environments.

In China’s new-generation nuclear power plant demonstration projects, the material has been successfully applied in critical areas such as reactor pressure vessel penetration seals and equipment for spent fuel processing. Its exceptional resistance to neutron irradiation swelling and high-temperature steam corrosion ensures the long-term safe operation of nuclear facilities. In the field of deep space exploration, as a core material for sealing the thermal control systems and precision instruments of the “Tianwen” series Mars rovers, it has effectively withstood the drastic diurnal temperature fluctuations, dust storm abrasion, and space particle radiation on the Martian surface, guaranteeing the successful completion of exploration missions.

With the rapid development of frontier fields such as controlled nuclear fusion and manned deep space exploration, unprecedented demands are being placed on material reliability under the coupled effects of multiple extreme factors. Industry experts point out that the serialized development and successful application of phenyl silicone rubber signify that China possesses internationally leading independent R&D capabilities in the field of specialty elastomers. It is an indispensable core material supporting national major strategic scientific and technological projects.