From precision mechanical processing to petroleum fermentation production, and then to the protection of electronic components, industrial-grade silicone oil, with its multiple functions such as lubrication, defoaming, temperature-resistant insulation, and hydrophobic anti-rust, has become a common functional additive in modern manufacturing. In 2025, the overall consumption of industrial silicone oil increased by 12.3% year-on-year. New energy and precision processing became the core growth sectors.

Lubrication and protection are the most fundamental industrial functions of silicone oil: Silicone oil can form a uniform lubricating film on metal and plastic surfaces, significantly reducing the friction at the contact surfaces of equipment, suitable for medical device coatings, high-temperature bearings, and long-term lubrication of gears. Its temperature resistance range covers -50°C to 250°C, and its performance does not deteriorate under alternating high and low temperature conditions. For metal workpieces and electronic components, the super hydrophobic property of silicone oil can isolate moisture, achieve long-term rust and moisture prevention, and extend the service life of equipment. It is widely used in metal casting parts and pre-treatment processes of circuit boards.

Defoaming and stability are essential in chemical production. In fermentation, papermaking, petroleum refining, and coating processing, excessive foam is easily generated, interfering with the production process. Adding a small amount of silicone oil defoamer can quickly suppress and break the foam, stabilize the material liquid system, and improve the operational efficiency of the production line. At the same time, silicone oil has excellent insulation properties, with strong dielectric stability, non-conductivity, and resistance to arc breakdown. It is used as a sealing immersion medium for transformers, photovoltaic inverters, and battery module assemblies, suitable for high-temperature insulation scenarios in new energy. 

Currently, the categories of industrial silicone oil in China are well-subdivided, with general dimethyl silicone oil, methyl phenyl high-temperature silicone oil, and hydrogen-terminated silicone oil performing distinct functions. Industry analysts say that in 2026, there will be limited new production capacity for organic silicon, and the supply-demand balance of high-end industrial silicone oil will remain tight. Downstream manufacturing enterprises will gradually lock in low-volatile and high-purity silicone oil to replace imported high-priced raw materials. The import substitution space for functional industrial silicone oil continues to expand.