“Is it time to disassemble the machine for greasing again after just six months of operation?” Such complaints are frequently heard in automated assembly workshops. Now, a self-lubricating silicone tube has quietly made its debut—it acts like an invisible oil reservoir, reducing the friction coefficient by 60% compared to ordinary silicone, and maintains smooth operation even after 3,000 hours of continuous use, effectively eliminating maintenance work orders.

The secret lies in the material’s composition: Liquid raw materials A and B are mixed in a 1:1 ratio, curing in just 45 seconds at 150°C. Once solidified, the surface automatically releases a microscopic silicone oil film—tangible to the touch yet invisible to the eye. This oil film cannot be wiped off even with tissue paper, as it is “embedded” within the molecular chains, continuously replenishing itself as it wears, ensuring lifelong lubrication.

In laboratory tests, engineers mounted a 5 mm thick tube onto a metal shaft and subjected it to 500,000 reciprocating cycles at a speed of 1 m/s. While ordinary silicone tubes produced noticeable powder debris, the self-lubricating version showed only minor glossy traces, with a weight loss of less than 1%—akin to a marathon runner’s shoe soles merely losing a bit of color.

Another standout feature is its “mold release capability.” Traditional tubes require spray agents for demolding, taking 30 seconds per cycle. Thanks to its inherent lubrication, the new tube “slides out of the mold like jelly,” reducing demolding time to just 8 seconds. This boosts daily production capacity by 25%, saves on mold release agents, and eliminates solvent odors in workshops.

With a hardness of 50 Shore, between an eraser and a car tire, it maintains elasticity without deforming under high-pressure airflow. Its tensile strength of 9 MPa and elongation of 500% allow it to stretch five times its length before breaking, freeing assembly workers from worries about “cracking with a slight bend.”

Currently, it is already in mass use in beverage filling valves, coffee machine water conduits, and medical peristaltic pumps. Beverage factories report that filling speeds have increased from 8,000 to 10,000 bottles per hour, with no tube replacements needed for six months. Laboratory peristaltic pumps, after 30 days of continuous liquid transfer, show smooth inner walls and less than 3% flow rate attenuation.

From food and medical applications to 3C assembly lines and household appliances, this “self-lubricating silicone tube” is making “greasing maintenance” a thing of the past—machines run smoother, and maintenance staff can finally clock out on time.