Silicone is the elastomer of choice for most medical device manufacturers because of it's unique performance characteristics; the combination of which cannot be achieved by any other elastomer product. Truly a strong but worthy claim!

WHAT is it?
Silicone elastomers are based on a unique chemistry developed in the early 1960's. Basically, a strong alternating silicon and oxygen atom backbone in the silicone molecule is responsible for many of its inherent properties. Different functional groups are chemically linked to the silicon atom to modify its behavior for performance in chemical, drug, reagent or specific media resistance. Silicone elastomers are simply very long chains of silicone molecules, called polymers, chemically bonded together to achieve specific property profiles.

(*Although these represent average typical values, we can modify elastomer compounds to optimize each property; ie. Tear resistance to 300 psi ave.)

Through the years, silicone has also demonstrated superior performance properties as it relates to it's use in medical devices:
• Superior compatibility with human and animal tissue and body fluids - does not irritate skin or other organs.
• Is extremely soft and pliable, easily conforms to different cavity shapes.
• Biologically inert - Does not support the growth of bacteria
• Does not stain or corrode other materials which it contacts.
• Withstands common sterilization methods - alcohol wash, dry heat, steam autoclave, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation and electron beam.
• Most silicones have been shown to meet the requirements for USP Class VI, FDA Tripartite Biocompatibiility Guidelines and ISO 10093 requirements.

Many products are available from silicone suppliers that will meet the mechanical profiles, however, when special needs arise, we customize a product through specialty blending to achieve the desired properties. When custom fabricators contract with a customer to assist in the development of the components or final assembly, it is critical that Engineers are willing to describe the application in it's entirety because subtle performance characteristics can alter the choice of a compound or the design of a tool.

It is our job to evaluate all the varied input on a project and apply our years of experience to assist our customers in the development of their product to achieve and exceed their performance goals. To have an engineer contact you about your project today, link here to enter your information.