Solventless polyorganosiloxane pellets and processes for the preparation and use thereof

A process for preparing solventless polyorganosiloxane pellets comprising:

• 1) providing an extruder comprising a barrel having a first feed port, a second feed port, and an outlet with a die;
• heating means configured to heat the barrel;
• and a screw mechanism housed within the barrel, where the first feed port and the second feed port are configured to introduce starting materials into the extruder, the screw mechanism is capable of mixing and conveying the starting materials from the first feed port and the second feed port to the outlet, the first feed port is upstream of the second feed port, and the second feed port is upstream of the outlet;
• 2) adding i) at least a portion of a solventless polydiorganosiloxane gum into the extruder through the first feed port, and adding ii) a solventless polyorganosilicate resin into the extruder through the second feed port, wherein said gum and said resin are added in amounts such that a weight ratio resin:
• gum is 2.1:1 to 3.5:1, wherein the polydiorganosiloxane guy has unit formula (R3R22SiO1/2)a(R22SiO2/2)b(R2SiO3/2)c, where each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and an aryl group of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and each R3 is a curable group, subscript a≥2, subscript b>5000, and subscript c≥0, with the proviso that a quantity (a+b+c) is sufficient to give the gum a number average molecular weight of 500,000 g/mol to 1,000,000 g/mol;
• 3) mixing the solventless polydiorganosiloxane gum and the solventless polyorganosilicate resin in the barrel and while heating the barrel at a temperature of 200° C. to 250° C., thereby forming a mixture;
• 4) conveying the mixture through the die at the outlet, thereby forming a strand;
• 5) cooling the strand exiting the die, and
• 6) comminuting the strand, thereby preparing the solventless polyorganosiloxane pellets.