Low VOC content is the trend for sensitive applications
The medical and health sector, including infant care, is the largest application market for LSR. According to the statistics of the National Alliance for the Green Development of Silicon Industry (SAGSI), the consumption of LSR in China's medical and health market in 2019 is about 25,000 tons. LSR is mainly used in bottle, pacifier, medical catheter, medical device sheath and cosmetic prosthesis.


Baby pacifiers made from food-grade liquid silicone
Infant care, medical treatment and food exposure are all areas of sensitive application, and the relevant legislative bodies have set strict purity standards to ensure product safety, such as the "XV" issued by the German Federal Risk Assessment Agency (BFR). Organic silicon ", French Act of 25 November 1992, Swiss Regulation 817.023.21 on contact materials and products for food, European Standard EN14350-2 for drinking equipment for infants and young children and Standard EN1400 for pacifiers, etc. The above regulations all use the weight loss of organosilicone products after special heat treatment (usually at 200°C for 4 hours) as a measure of VOC content.
During heat treatment, the weight loss of the sample after drying should not exceed 0.5% of its mass. The curing products of ordinary liquid silica gel must undergo secondary vulcanization in order to meet the above regulations. However, secondary vulcanization not only leads to a large amount of energy consumption, there is a risk of cross-contamination, and it will affect the automated production process. In response to the trend of low VOC and to help customers improve production efficiency, reduce energy consumption and cost, Wacker Chemical, the world's second largest silicone manufacturer, has announced during K 2019 that it will produce all liquid silicone products with significantly lower VOC content in the future.
Elastosil ®LR 5040, the lowest volatile, removable, extractable material in Wak's full range of LSR products, can meet regulatory requirements for infant care, food contact, and medical applications without the need for two-stage vulcanization, while still providing excellent mechanical properties.