How silicone alternatives are revolutionising medical cable jacketing

The innovative world of technology continues to give us solutions when it comes to finding increasingly more effective ways to create cabling solutions. Silicone was once the peak of innovation for cable jacketing but today has some clear limits when it comes to use. While the material remains popular there is already extensive research into the alternatives that might provide better options for applications such as medical tools, hospital equipment and surgical devices. But what are they?

The rise and rise of silicone

In situations where reliable high performance is a top priority, the use of silicone as a cable jacketing material has become widespread. There are many advantages to the use of silicon, including the flexible nature of the material and the fact that it is smooth and durable. It also has thermal stability and is capable of tolerating the intensity of environments, such as medicine, where it is going to be exposed to a broad range of harsh processes, including sterilisation. It’s these qualities that have meant silicone is able to meet certain standards and that’s why it has become so popular.

The downsides of silicone

Although silicone has offered a great solution up to now it does have some disadvantages. For example, silicone can be expensive to produce and the process of doing so can be very time consuming. The fact that silicone is a thermoset material means that it needs a lengthy curing process, which adds a longer lead time to production and vital ingredients, such as Siloxane, periodically experience shortages. Plus, although silicone is a durable material, this has limits and silicone is especially vulnerable to cuts and tearing.

What are the alternatives?

One alternative that has a lot of potential is a material called BioCompatic. This material has significant resilience and biocompatibility but also comes in at a much lower cost than silicone, with shorter production lead times too. It demonstrates very high levels of durability, including with respect to processes such as sterilisation and chemicals, abrasion and cutting. Plus, it doesn’t have the same vulnerability as silicone does in terms of cutting and tearing.

BioCompatic and medical cable jacketing

The design of BioCompatic means that it is specifically suited to use as medical cable jacketing, not just due to the high levels of durability that it demonstrates. It also has torque-free features and has been engineered to optimise rotational motion. This is important in a medical context where medical devices in use are being constantly moved and rotated during procedures, putting a lot of strain on the cable. Tests carried out on BioCompatic demonstrated its superiority – for example, chemical resistance tests are vital for this type of material. Usually, materials are exposed to chemical substances for 10 minutes during tests but BioCompatic lasted 24 hours.

A much broader use

Thermal stability, resilience, strength and the fact that BioCompatic can meet strict standards makes it an ideal material for medical cable jacketing but that’s not where its potential ends. BioCompatic could also be useful in other extreme environments, from engineering to defence and aerospace.

Medical cable jacketing – as well as many other applications – could benefit from the silicone alternatives that we are starting to see appearing on the market today.