Wacker introduces liquid silicone rubber for radiation-sterilised valves

Published: 5-Aug-2011
Manufacturing Cleaning

The dosing slit does not require an extra release coating

Munich-based chemicals company Wacker is launching a liquid silicone rubber for radiation-sterilisable silicone valves used in medical devices.

Devices for administering liquid medication often employ valves made from silicone elastomers, which offer high dosing accuracy, are biocompatible and can be readily sterilised on account of their resistance to heat, radiation and chemicals. However, sometimes the slits of these valves close up when radiation-sterilised and the higher the radiation dose, the more the slits close over. This can impair the dosing accuracy of the valve and may even cause it to fail. Consequently, valve manufacturers have so far resorted to a process auxiliary, which prevents opposing slit edges from touching and is applied to the edges of the slits as they are being created in the membrane.

Wacker says Silpuran 6610/40 allows such valves to be made without the use of additional auxiliaries. It is also so durable that the valve slits will not heal even when exposed to radiation doses far in excess of those usually employed in sterilisation.

This non-healing effect is the outcome of a special formulation of the liquid silicone rubber, which also allows the silicone valve membrane to be slit prior to post-curing. The valve slits can be created either with a suitable mould during injection moulding or with a punching die after demoulding.

Eliminating the need for a release agent makes it possible to produce silicone valves much more quickly, cleanly and inexpensively than previously, the firm says.

Valves made from Silpuran 6610/40 can be sterilised with ionising radiation prior to shipping, without suffering any loss of dosing accuracy.

The two-component white product is packaged in Wacker’s cleanrooms. It will be introduced at Compamed in Düsseldorf, Germany in November.

See more

You may also like

Manufacturing

Wacker invests in biotech site

Read more
The German chemical group has enhanced its biopharmaceutical production facilities with new equipment

Trending Articles

  1. UK wet wipe ban starting 2027: Cleanroom and medical wipes exempt under professional-use rules Kay Goddard of Antistat & Integrity Cleanroom explains why plastic-containing wipes used in controlled environments will fall outside the consumer ban, and what businesses must do to remain compliant
  2. Bausch+Lomb has chosen Steriline to improve the production of sterile ophthalmic medical devices Because Steriline’s line is compliant with the recommendations of the latest version of Annex 1, Bausch+Lomb can expand its production capacity while simultaneously minimising the risks of microbial, particulate and endotoxin/pyrogen contamination in its eye care products
  3. Understanding the mechanisms of antimicrobial actions by silver ions The antimicrobial mechanism of silver ions relies on the oligodynamic effect. But what is this and how does it work? Hannah Mullane from BioCote explains
  4. A revolutionary invention Willis Whitfield invented the modern-day cleanroom, which revolutionised manufacturing in electronics and pharmaceuticals, made hospital operating rooms safer and helped further space exploration
  5. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    2025: What happened in the cleanroom market? Sophie Bullimore looks back at what was happening in the cleanroom sector in 2025, and what trends jumped out amongst the rest

Upcoming event

DCAT Week

23–26 March 2026 | Conference | New York, US See all

You may also like

Manufacturing

Wacker invests in biotech site

The German chemical group has enhanced its biopharmaceutical production facilities with new equipment
Manufacturing

Wacker showcases self adhesive liquid silicone rubber with a low-friction surface

The new technology was unveiled at this year's COMPAMED trade fair
Manufacturing

Arburg to demonstrate LSR processing at Medtec Europe 2015

Arburg will present an application to process liquid silicone (LSR) at Medtec Europe
Cleaning

Superior environmental performance of reusable mops and wipes demonstrated by an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)

Findings from the study showcased that reusable solutions for cleaning are significantly better for the environment than single-use solutions
Cleaning

Bausch+Lomb has chosen Steriline to improve the production of sterile ophthalmic medical devices

Because Steriline’s line is compliant with the recommendations of the latest version of Annex 1, Bausch+Lomb can expand its production capacity while simultaneously minimising the risks of microbial, particulate and endotoxin/pyrogen contamination in its eye care products
Cleaning

UK wet wipe ban starting 2027: Cleanroom and medical wipes exempt under professional-use rules

Kay Goddard of Antistat & Integrity Cleanroom explains why plastic-containing wipes used in controlled environments will fall outside the consumer ban, and what businesses must do to remain compliant
Containment

Guardtech, STERIS, Kemtile and more: Experts to deliver latest research and insights - plus save £50 with early bird tickets until 23 March

The #1 conference is back with this year’s edition shaping up to be the most consequential yet with deeper technical insight, sharper conversations and a renewed focus on the challenges shaping the future of controlled environments
Subscribe now