Orthopedics & Prosthetics

WACKER RTV-2 Systems Make All the Difference

WACKER supplies room-temperature-curing (RTV) ELASTOSIL^® and SILPURAN^® brand silicone rubber grades designed to meet specific prosthetic and orthopedic demands. The addition-cure products are formulated as two-pack systems: A and B. The platinum catalyst is separate from the curing agent. After components A and B have been mixed, the mixture cures to an elastomer at room temperature. The process can be greatly accelerated by raising the temperature to between 70 and 130 °C.

Silicones for Prosthetics: Performance That Fits Like a Glove

Prosthetics is a highly sensitive area. WACKER’s RTV-2 silicone rubber grades have an extraordinary property profile that makes them ideal for producing aesthetic and functional prostheses for fingers, hands and partial-foot designs, as well as for orthoses, epitheses and external mammary prostheses.

ELASTOSIL^® – Production Process Used by the Prosthetics Sector

Step 1

A mammary prosthesis mold consists of a thin shell (e.g. PUR) filled with ELASTOSIL^® silicone gel.
The use of thermoplastic shell material makes it possible to shape prostheses individually.

Step 2

The shell is filled with ELASTOSIL^® gel
The shape of the prosthesis is set using a negative mold

Step 3

Curing of the ELASTOSIL® gel starts at room temperature
The process can be accelerated by heat input (70 to 130 °C)
The prosthesis is then demolded and packaged

Advantages

Biocompatibility
Biodurability: low surface tension, thermal stability and chemical stability
Good resistance to a large number of solvents and chemicals
No organic plasticizers involved
Sterilizable for single and repeated use (sterilizable with steam, ethylene oxide, electron beams and γ-rays)
The excellent mechanical properties are highly resistant to aging, weathering, heat and radiation
Silicones do not support microbial growth (due to their hydrophobicity)
Easy processing due to low viscosity and good mixing characteristics
Addition-cure RTV-2 systems do not release any by-products on curing
Broad hardness range
High degree of comfort for wearer; breathability

Applications

Finger, hand and partial-foot prostheses
Orthotic devices
Epitheses
External mammary prostheses
Liners
Individually shaped face masks

Silicone Rubber for Orthopedics: High Performance in its Purest Form

Orthopedic products must be able to damp a considerable amount of shock or vibration, and to apply gentle, comfortable compression. This is where ELASTOSIL^® P and SILPURAN^® silicone elastomers come into play, as they give manufacturers of orthopedic devices a comprehensive portfolio of products and services.

Advantages

Biocompatibility
Biodurability: low surface tension, thermal stability and chemical stability
Good resistance to a large number of solvents and chemicals
No organic plasticizers involved
Sterilizable for single and repeated use (sterilizable with steam, ethylene oxide, electron beams and γ-rays)
The excellent mechanical properties are highly resistant to aging, weathering, heat and radiation
Silicones do not support microbial growth (due to their hydrophobicity)
Easy processing due to low viscosity and good mixing characteristics
Addition-cure RTV-2 systems do not release any by-products on curing
Broad hardness range
High degree of comfort for wearer; breathability