Originally Published EMDM
October 2004
Industry News
Novel Copolymer Combines Properties of Thermoplastics and Silicone |
| Because no catalysts are used in the curing process, Geniomer thermoplastic silicone elastomers are suited for use in medical tubing. |
A new-generation hybrid material combines the properties of silicone with the advantages of thermoplastics. Manufactured by
Wacker Silicones (München, Germany), Geniomer is suitable for a range of applications including medical tubing.
Geniomer is a polydimethylsiloxane/urea copolymer. Its novel property profile stems from a symbiosis of inorganic and organic components. A silicone forms the basis of its soft segment, which imparts the product’s elasticity. An organic group builds the corresponding hard segment, which offers strength and heat stability. The company has developed a proprietary process to cure the soft segment, using a physical curing process instead of the traditional catalyst-based method. Because no catalysts are used, the resulting polymer has no byproducts or organic volatiles, making it suitable for use in medical applications such as tubing.
Available in a range of grades, Geniomer displays good thermoplastic processability, and has good slip and release properties. Other beneficial features include low-temperature flexibility, storage stability, and high tensile strength without the need of fillers.
For more information, contact Wacker-Chemie GmbH, Hauptverwaltung, Hanns-Seidel-Platz 4, 81737 München, Germany; phone: +49 89 627901; fax: +49 89 6279770; e-mail:
info@wacker.com; Internet: www.wacker.com.
Copyright ©2004 European Medical Device Manufacturer
