Is Silicone rubber sheeting FDA approved: Everything you need to know

 

Baking mats- food molds to catheters- prosthetics, they all are made of silicone rubber!

Is silicone rubber sheeting safe for applications having direct or indirect contact with food? 

Is silicone sheeting safe for medical and pharmaceut,ical applications? How can you assure that? , 

FDA (Food and Drug Administration):

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves of silicone rubber. This federal Health and Human Services ensures the proper safety and health of the citizens. In other words, they ensure that silicone sheeting meets the safety standard. 

The FDA oversees food, drugs, and medical devices. Besides, they check if the radiation-emitting products are safe. In addition, the FDA also looks after vaccines, biologics, and veterinary. They help assure the security of tobacco products and cosmetics for human use. 

Before proceeding further into the topic, let us learn more about

Silicone rubber sheeting:

The composition of silicone sheeting includes silicone, hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. Next, this synthetic polymer sheet undergoes vulcanization. This process enhances their properties. 

Silicone rubber sheeting has excellent temperature resistance. These sheets have good physical properties. Their biocompatibility makes them safe for human contact.

Why does the FDA approve of silicone rubber sheeting?

Safe composition: 

Silicone sheet suppliers provide silicone sheets to the food processing industries. They use food-grade silicone to make silicone sheeting. As a result, they do not contain harmful fillers or additives. Thus, it is safe for direct or indirect contact with food and beverages. 

The composition of silicone sheeting is suitable for making kitchenware. Manufacturers use them to make baking mats, gloves, and others. 

Non-toxic: 

Silicone rubber sheeting is non-toxic. It does not emit harmful gases and toxic chemicals in high temperatures. Thus, the extreme temperature silicone rubber sheet is safe for cooking utensils. 

They are used for making the non-stick surfaces of the utensils and oven gaskets. As a result, they will not degrade in high temperatures till approximately +225 degrees centigrade. 

In addition, the medical sector uses silicone sheeting to make prosthetics and catheters. They do not induce any allergies to human beings.

Low porosity: 

Silicone rubber sheeting is non-porous. This makes it ideal for making seals of containers. It prevents leakage and provides an airtight sealing. 

Besides, low porosity helps prevent bacterial growth. It reduces water absorption. Hence, there is a lack of breeding places for the bacteria. Surgical instruments should be sterile and safe. This characteristic of a silicone sheet ensures hygiene. 

Non-reactive: 

A silicone sheet does not react with food chemicals and ingredients. It is chemically inert and prevents chemical reactions. A high-temperature silicone rubber sheet does not leach chemicals or toxins into food materials. Besides, it is odorless and does not affect with organic acids and solvents present in food. 

Surgeons use silicone rubber sheeting for implants. They do not cause infections or allergies to the human body. Thus, their inert properties make them suitable for such uses. 

In a nutshell, 

The FDA approves silicone sheeting as they are safe for human beings. They meet the safety standards for applications in food, beverages, and the medical sectors. 

However, their safe composition and non-toxic characteristics make them safe for public use. Silicone rubber sheeting is non-toxic and non-reactive. As a result, they help them maintain the hygiene of these industries. Their low porosity makes them suitable for making seals, tubes, and gaskets in the food industry. 

If you are looking for a silicone rubber sheet in UAE, India, or other countries, you can choose Duratuf.

Consult with them to get the silicone rubber data sheet and silicone sheet price!

Don't forget to check out these FAQs: 

1. What are the applications of silicone sheeting? 

Ans: Silicone sheets have good resistance against heat, chemicals, and oils They have high flexibility and resilience. However, people use them to make flange gaskets on pipes and tanks. Besides, they have applications in thermal and electrical insulation. Silicone sheets help in different electrical sealing applications. Moreover, they help make high-temperature loading socks.

2. Is PVC the same as silicone rubber? 

Ans:  PVC or Polyvinyl chloride is a thermoplastic. On the other hand, silicone is synthetic rubber. PVC is cheap and durable. Whereas, silicone is more costly but has a long service life. However, PVC can resist low to medium temperatures. But silicone has more temperature resistance and versatility. 

3. Is a silicone sheet better than plastic? 

Ans: Silicone is more sustainable than plastic. You can use them for versatile applications. Single-use plastics are made with petrochemicals. They are for one-time use. Whereas, you can use silicone products several times. They have longer life spans. Plastics emit harmful toxins in the environment by burning.  Silicone does not emit toxic chemicals and gases while burning.