Silicone is one of the most versatile and reliable materials used in modern healthcare. Its flexibility, biocompatibility and stability make it ideal for applications ranging from tubing and seals to implants and wearable technologies. This guide explains why engineers increasingly rely on medical-grade silicone and how Sur-Seal supports its use in regulated medical devices.
Silicone’s molecular structure makes it naturally stable, inert and resistant to environmental stress — all essential features in patient-facing systems.
Key Properties:
These traits make silicone a top choice for both disposable and reusable medical devices.
Medical-grade silicone offers:
Silicone Tubing and Catheters: Silicone tubing is used for IV systems, peristaltic pumps and respiratory equipment. It offers reliable flow, clarity and resilience during repeated sterilization.
Seals, Gaskets and O-Rings: Silicone elastomers provide airtight and fluid-tight seals in infusion pumps, ventilators and diagnostic devices where isolation is critical.
Medical Implants and Prosthetics: Silicone is widely used for joint implants, pacemaker leads and reconstructive devices due to its long-term stability and tissue compatibility.
Diagnostic and Electronic Encapsulation: Silicone protects biosensors, PCBs and embedded electronics from vibration, moisture and impact.
Wound Care and Bandaging: Soft silicone adhesives create gentle, non-stick contact layers for dressings, scar therapies and wound management applications.
| Property | Silicone | TPE | PVC | Rubber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biocompatibility | Excellent | Good | Variable | Good |
| Flexibility | High | Moderate | High | High |
| Sterilization Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate | Good |
| Durability | High | Moderate | Low | High |
| Cost | Mid-high | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
Silicone consistently performs better in environments that require long-term stability, patient comfort or repeated sterilization.
Common standards affecting silicone include:
Sur-Seal’s converting processes are designed around traceability, documentation and cleanliness to support OEM validation and manufacturing.
Explore our medical converting solutions.
Sur-Seal supports end-to-end silicone material integration through:
Our team helps device engineers accelerate development cycles, validate materials and ensure readiness for regulated manufacturing.
Contact Sur-Seal for silicone material support.
Kent Manufacturing is now integrated with Sur-Seal
