Key Benefits Of Silicon Rubber In The Medical Industry

Silicones outperform all comparable materials in terms of insulating properties and electrical application versatility. Silicone rubber outperforms most conventional insulating materials due to its non-conductive properties and ability to maintain dielectric strength in temperature extremes.

Fremont, CA: Rubber's versatility as a material has led to it becoming a set standard for medical supplies. Many diverse applications to the life-saving and health-improving work done by all types of medics have benefited the medical industry. Rubber has a wide range of applications in other industries. One such industry where the utilization of rubber is both popular and profitable is the medical industry.

The fact that rubber can be modified for various situations makes it such a good fit for medical supplies and the industry as a whole. Manufacturers and distributors are aware of how rubber can be used as a base to meet a variety of needs in the medical industry.

Gloves, injection parts, caps or stoppers, tubes, wheels, and casters attached to hospital beds and trolleys—there are numerous categories of rubber products used in the healthcare industry. The largest sub-sector of the rubber industry used in the medical sector is latex rubber or natural rubber products. Latex-based medical supplies such as medical gloves, catheters, and diaphragms have seen an increase in demand.

Here are the benefits that rubber brings to the medical industry:

Mechanical Properties

Silicone has a high tear resistance, good elongation, superior tensile strength, flexibility, and a low compression set. The softer forms of silicone available can keep their softness indefinitely.

Temperature Resistance

Silicones are known to withstand a wider range of temperature extremes than nearly all other elastomers, with the ability to withstand temperature variations ranging from 75° to 500°F. They are extremely heat resistant and can be sterilized using a variety of medical device sterilization methods, including dry heat, steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, and electron beams.

Electrical Properties

Silicones outperform all comparable materials in terms of insulating properties and electrical application versatility. Silicone rubber outperforms most conventional insulating materials due to its non-conductive properties and ability to maintain dielectric strength in temperature extremes.

Biocompatibility

Silicone rubbers are known to have superior compatibility with human tissue and body fluids and extremely low tissue response when implanted when compared to other elastomers. In addition, silicones do not support bacteria growth and do not stain or corrode other materials because they are odorless and tasteless. Furthermore, they are frequently designed with biocompatibility guidelines for medical products that comply with FDA and ISO in mind.