Silicones have been in use in medical applications for over 30 years because of their long-term stability and biocompatibility. High gas permeability is a positive property in many medical devices; silicones have up to 400 times the permeability of butyl rubber at room temperature. They are also used in cosmetic applications, where their colorability and sensory properties are important (a soft, skin-like touch and appearance can be achieved).

These proceedings from Rapra’s first international conference on Silicone Elastomers will be of interest to rubber manufacturers and technologists, with a common interest in silicone elastomer materials, applications and technology.

Paper 1 Silicone elastomers: introduction and basic considerations
Barry Statham, Polymer Consultant, UK

Paper 2 Silicone expansion: trend indicators for growth in the silicone elastomer market
Thomas Tangney & Rachelle Jacques, Dow Corning Corporation, Germany

SESSION 2: FOOD CONTACT STUDIES

Paper 3 The use of GCXGC-TOFMS and LC-MS for the determination of migrants from silicone rubbers into food simulants and food products
Dr Martin Forrest, Dr SR Holding, D Howells and M Eardley Rapra Technology, UK

SESSION 3: SILICONE ELASTOMER MATERIALS

Paper 4 Silicone rubber: the material of choice to meet new challenges
Dr Hans Peter Wolf, Dow Corning Corporation, Germany

Paper 5 Fluorinated silicone elastomers in automotive applications
Oliver Franssen & Dr Stephan Boßhammer, GE Bayer Silicones GmbH & Co.KG, Germany

Paper 6 Influence of the network structure of silicone rubber on time-dependent autohesion as mechanism for self-healing
Marek Mikrut & JWM Noordermeer, University of Twente & G Verbeek, Océ Technologies BV, The Netherlands

SESSION 4: LIQUID SILICONE RUBBER

Paper 7 The five elements to run a successful LSR process
Kurt Manigatter, ELMET Elastomere Produktions und Dienstleistungs GmbH, Germany

Paper 8 2-Component injection moulding of LSR
Clemens Trumm, GE Bayer Silicones GmbH & Co. KG, Germany

Paper 9 Machine technology for processing LSR
Dipl Ing Wolfgang Roth, Battenfeld, GmbH, Austria

Paper 10 LSR processing with electric driven injection moulding machines - application and experiences
Dipl Ing (FH) Martin Neff, ARBURG GmbH & Co. KG, Germany

Paper 11 Innovative machine systems for moulding LSR components
Ing Leo Praher, ENGEL Austria GmbH, Austria

SESSION 5: PROCESSING SILICONE ELASTOMERS

Paper 12 New developments in silicone processing
Ubaldo Colombo, Colmec SpA, Italy

Paper 13 Machine, mould and process technology for processing HTV silicones
Manfred Arning, Esitec, Germany

SESSION 6: ADDITIVES AND FINISHING FOR SILICONE ELASTOMERS

Paper 14 New opportunities for using silicone rubber
Dr Maike Benter, Nanon A/S, Denmark

Paper 15 Colours in silicone: the visible additive
Thomas Klehr, Holland Colours, The Netherlands

Paper 16 Bonding silicone elastomers
Aissa Benarous & Dr Keith Worthington, Technical Advisor, Chemical Innovations Ltd, UK

Paper 17 Acetone cure 1-part RTVs – non-corrosive silicone adhesives that perform
Sean Stoodley, ACC Silicones Europe, UK

SESSION 7: MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF SILICONE ELASTOMERS

Paper 18 Pharmaceutical and medical device applications of novel silicones
Prof David S Jones, Queen’s University of Belfast, UK

Paper 19 Silicone elastomer gels for medical devices: viscoelasticity and performance
Dr Gilles Lorentz, Delphine Blanc & Ludovic Odoni, Rhodia Research & Technology CRTL, France

Paper 20 Hydrophilization of silicone rubber for biomedical applications
Farhang Abbasi & Kyoumars Jalili, Sahand University of Technology, Iran