Platinum Silicone Gaskets
Silicone is widely used in pharmaceutical applications for two major reasons. First, and foremost, is safety. Silicone does not contain plasticizers or other additives that could leach into a drug product and cause toxicological issues. Second, silicone is highly flexible and tear-resistant, making it a good choice for sealing fluids in downstream processes.
To make Silicone gaskets, there are two cure system options with silicones, however, that produce materials with different characteristics, whose impact should be considered before selection. Silicone materials may be cured using free radical (peroxide) or addition (platinum) cure mechanisms.
Platinum-cured and peroxide-cured silicone gaskets can both be made to USP Class VI and other industry specifications, but a platinum-cured gasket has a higher purity and lower leachability than peroxide-cured silicone.
Platinum vs Peroxide
Peroxide-cured gaskets contain a small residue of 2,4 DCBA (dichlorobenzoic acid) as a by-product of the curing reaction, platinum-cured gaskets have no 2,4 DCBA residues, its only by-product is H2O. In some critical bioprocesses, the small amount of DCBA might harm the media that is made. The relative value and impact of these characteristics should be evaluated carefully when selecting the silicone type for fluid handling applications.
Available Compounds
- CMD-1012 Compression Moulding compound Translucent
- CMD-1065 Compression Moulding compound White
- CMD-1071 Liquid Injection Moulding compound Transparent
- CMD-1084 Liquid Injection Moulding compound White