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Termyn8or -> RE: What's the difference between Medical Grade Silicone and Silicone? (9/3/2007 7:54:46 AM)
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There are so many forms of silicone it isn't funny. It ranges from the stinky RTV sealant your mechanic used on your car to the almost liquid type used in breast implants.
Of course the implant stuff is no good for you, as proven by Women who have had them leak. No form of anything we would call silicone is good to ingest in any form. While I am sure in was nice and pure when it went in, it was still poison when it came out. Just because of what it is.
So therefore I assume you mean for topical purposes or to line restraints of some type.
Medical grade silicone (anything) must have certain properties. Any form of it outgasses when soft, once hardened the medical grade stuff is not supposed to outgas any more, and should not be porous. Of the many forms of silicone out there, it can be strong and hard, or soft and pliable. It is not quite strong enough for, say the uprights on leg braces, but it has the right consistency for pads that touch the skin in many orthoses.
Like if you go buy oxygen. If it is for your acetylene torch it is one thing, if it is to breathe it is another, purer, much more expensive thing.
That's about it, in general. Perhaps Aswad will drop a more cogent answer here. He seems quite knowledgable in things medical. My answer was just what I had that may be beyond common sense, but I have been exposed to alot of science in my life.
Basically you can take what medical grade must be, and figure that is what it should be. Of course there are times when you find out it is not, but oh well. That doesn't mean stop thinking. But it is clear to see that they want it hypoallergenic, and if porous at all, only at the surface so germs cannot hide deep down. Having it sterilizable, or "clavable" is important. How it absorbs (or doesn't) sweat (or other bodily fluids) is also an issue.
So the different properties I can tell you, but if you are looking for the specific difference in it's formulation, I have no idea. I did not study chemistry very seriously. Sometimes I regret that.
T
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