LSR grades for medical device manufacturers and fabricators debuted by Dow Corning at MD&M West

Dow Corning, a global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation for the healthcare industry, is showcasing at MD&M West (Hall D, Booth# 1751) Dow Corning^® QP1 liquid silicone rubber (LSR) grades that give medical device manufacturers and fabricators broader material choices for intricate devices and components. This family of eight translucent silicone elastomers has been developed for short-term and non-implant and insertion applications. They are available in a wide range of durometers and combine high performance, including excellent tear strength, with processing advantages that can reduce cycle times. The materials are also U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) food contact compliant by formulation and are USP Class VI tested. 

“Greater material choices mean that our customers have more opportunities to innovate and differentiate their products to strengthen their ability to manufacture next-generation medical devices,” said James Stephenson, global market director, Dow Corning Healthcare. “Our QP1 LSR silicone family now makes it much easier for customers to identify the most appropriate grade for each application. It also underscores Dow Corning’s commitment to give our customers high quality products – including ISO 9001 compliance – backed by regular auditing of our manufacturing facilities to meet increasingly stringent healthcare requirements.”

Dow Corning^® QP1 LSR materials are two-part, platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomers supplied in a kit and suitable for liquid injection molding. They combine high tear strength for optimal durability in applications facing tough physical demands, such as membranes, with low compression set, which is of particular value for parts such as seals or valves that are subjected to compression during use.

The performance of these silicone elastomers also offers customers the possibility to avoid a post-curing step for certain applications, increasing productivity. Other processing advantages are batch-to-batch consistency and fast cure. When cured, they are thermally stable to 204C (400F) and are available in Shore A hardnesses ranging from 20 to 75.

The materials are formulated without the use of peroxides, peroxide by-products, chlorophenyls or PCBs. Nor do they use organic plasticizers, phthalates or latex additives. They meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements for food contact applications.

Applications for QP1 LSR grades include short-term (29 days or fewer) implants such as wound drains and gastric feeding tubes, non-implant devices such as needle-less access valves, surgical devices such as anesthesia masks, and consumer products including nasal aspirators.

Dow Corning^® QP1 LSR is on display at the Dow Corning booth along with the company’s expanding portfolio of high-performance silicones solutions for the healthcare industry.