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.

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

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

  • Truss pads
  • Orthotic devices
  • Liners
  • Inserts