Diluting Silicone Elastomers with Glycerol and Achieving Improved Mechanical Properties

The exploitation of fillers to reduce the environmental impact of silicone elastomers and adhesives always seem to introduce either rigidity or reduced performance of the silicone products. Counterintuitively, glycerol can be introduced into silicone and results in interesting properties of the resulting silicone elastomers and adhesives, with significantly improved moisture handling properties as the main advantage, and simultaneously not altering the mechanical and adhesive properties. Furthermore, introducing glycerol in significant amounts can reduce the environmental impact of up to 40% of the silicone product.

The recently developed silicone-based composite consisting of a silicone matrix with discrete compartments of liquids has been shown to hold great potential in various applications and promises to become a platform for creating multiple functional smart materials. It is prepared by a patented glycerol-in-PDMS emulsion, which is very stable for a broad range of concentrations. The glycerol allows for the incorporation of drugs and actives and can therefore be used for active wound care adhesives or vehicles for skin therapeutics.