The Evolution of Silicone Molding

The Evolution of SiliconeMoldingKevin Franzino, Albright Technologies

Overview

• Introduction• History of Silicone• Types of Silicone• Silicone Processing Techniques

History of Silicone

Silicones are a specific category of syntheticpolymers characterized by a backbone ofrepeating silicon oxygen bonds.

History of Silicone

Frederick Stanley Kipping devoted themajority of his life to studying organo-siliconcompounds, and is credited with being theman to coin the term “silicone”.

History of Silicone

The Dow-Corning Corporation was createdas a joint venture by Corning Glass and DowChemicals in the early 1940s.

In 1943 Dow-Corning became the first tomanufacture silicones.

Silicone in Medicine

Medical grade silicone tubing hasbeen used since the late 1940’s fora wide variety of applications:-catheters-shunts-stents-drains-dialysis-blood collection-etc.

1955- The Holter Valve

Charles “Casey” Case Holter was theinspiration behind the silicone Holtervalve for Hydrocephalic infants.

Previously designed ball-and-cage valveswould clog with tissue, and rubberone –way valves couldn’t stand up tothe heat of autoclaving.

Silicone tubing and valves permitted thedevice to be sterilized, without sacrificingflexibility and elasticity.

Silicone Medical Parts

-Tubing-Grommets-Covers-Gaskets-Lenses-Filters

Latex to Silicone Conversion

“Approximately 4% of allergy sufferers have latexallergy as their primary allergy.”

-Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Latex pacifier Silicone Pacifier

Silicone Replacement of OilBased Elastomers

-The costs of crude oil rise.-Petroleum based elastomers follow suit.-Dependence and usage on petroleumbased elastomers falls.-Alternative elastomers (silicones) are explored.-Silicone market improves, more distributorsarise.-The cost of silicone drops, everyday usage ofsilicone increases.

Silicone Replacement of OilBased Elastomers

Self bonding silicone materials containadhesion promoters internal to the siliconechemical matrix and are ideal forovermolding onto metallic, plastic, andsilicone substrates.

Optically Clear

Silicone suppliersnow offeroptically clearmaterials to usein the creation ofsilicone lenses.

Medical Grade Silicones

•Restricted Implantable (29days)•Unrestricted Implantable(indefinite)

Self Lubricating Silicones

Implantable self lubricating siliconematerials can create catheters andother implanted devices that aidephysician ease of use and promoteimproved patient comfort.

Silicone Micro Molding


Micro molded silicone partsand six inch scale.

Aluminum compressionmolds for microscopicsilicone parts.



Works Cited

Silicone Biomaterials: History and Chemistry & Medical Applications of Silicones, Andre Colas and Jim Curtis, Dow CorningCorporation

Silicone Molding Design Manual, David Comeau, Art Haines, and Veasna Nhem, Albright Technologies, Inc.

http://www.plastiquarian.com/index.php?id=104&osCsid=

http://www.wnabc.com/index.php?interface=news&cat=44&story=262

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/369675732/Medical_silicone_tube_FDA_grade_silicone/showimage.html

http://www.dana.org/uploadedImages/Images/Spotlight_Images/DanaGuide_CH12C08_P291_spot.jpg

http://www.dravon.com/a-clamp.html

http://www.nationalscrubs.com/100siliconefoleycatheters30ccballoon16frqty10.aspx

http://www.identalhub.com/article_what-is-pacifier-or-soother-or-dummy-424.aspx

http://www.playtexbaby.com/Pacifiers/Binky/Most-Like-Mother-Latex-Pacifier

http://www.protective-glove.com/supplier-disposable_medical_gloves-3206.html

http://www.rubberimpex.com/SyntheticRubber/GDLSR1.htm

Health & Medicine

The Evolution of Silicone Molding