Summary of replies to Silicone inquiry

Summary of replies to Silicone inquiry

Jonathan Reynik

11/17/2016

Dear Listmembers:


My initial inquiry:


I am involved in two design projects that will surely require the use of silicone and am looking for feedback with respect to silicone injection molding, ready made silicone sheets that can be purchased, and maybe 3d printing with silicone. To date my only experience with silicone is limited to using ready made items such as liners, knee sleeves, burn garments and socks, and foot related products as well as having silicone models of partial feet and fingers made from plaster models, i.e., I am a novice with respect to silicone fabrication.


Nevertheless the first project involves foot correction and loading. I have finalized the model making approach and am now looking for a commercially available injectable silicone that will be tear resistant and durable at a minimum thickness of 3 mm. The width will actually encircle the forefoot.


The second project involves the upper torso and the silicone will either be cut from ready made sheets no more than 2mm thick or 3d printed and have to support unrestrained weight of up to 2 kg from a shoulder strap. The strap itself will be between 2.5 -4 cm wide and no more than 2mm thick.


Ideally I would like to find something with a Shore A=10 value since everything I have read indicates it is very similar to human flesh. My concern is tear strength at such small thicknesses and widths.



Please find below summary of responses I have received:


  * We have been using an injectable silicone from NuSil part number LSR4-5805 for many years for custom prosthetic liners and partial feet. It has a shore very similar to human tissue and we have good luck with comfort and durability.
  * Speak with pavel at reynolds advanced materials in orlando florida. i use there dragon skin 10 for custom platinum cure liners. Also, michael smith a qsi (Quantum silicone inc 0 is very knowledgable.
  * Realastic Prosthetics( division of Health Related Products, Inc.) produced a variety of silicone prosthetic coverings over the last 15 years using our own silicone formulation and an automated slush molding machine(realastic.com) . We closed Realastic operations last August, have disposed of majority of molds and equipment. However we still have the silicone machine and the intellectual property including formulas/operating procedures. Our silicone was extremely durable and could be softened if needed by slight formula adjustments. I don't think it will work with injection molding.

Thank you to all who responded and my sincere apologies to those of you I have not yet gotten back to. I will do so in the coming days.

Kind regards,


J. Reynik, LPO


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