Silicone Masks: Boiling Water, OR isopropyl Alcohol Cleaning
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:22 pm
I did quite a bit of chemical compatibility investigating today,
and came up with a couple of answers that might dispel some statements that were made about cleaning silicone mask parts with alcohol.
I found from multiple sources that is not compatible with SOME Alcohols, BUT IS COMPATIBLE WITH ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL!
These are the questions I posed to GE engineers online today:
"What cleaners, detergents, soaps, etc. can be safely used on molded
silicone respiratory devices? (face mask seals etc.)
What sterilizing techniques, fluids, can be safely used on silicone
respiratory devices without detrimental effects?
Can boiling water be used without damaging/degrading the elastomeric
properties?
There are hundreds of people that would be interested in these answers,
and GE's response to these questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! "
The answer from James Gorski at GE Silicones:
"John,
Boiling water wont be a problem as a standard silicone is fine dealing with temps up to 400F. In terms of cleaning you can us isopropyl alcohol
Jim"
I also found that there are quite a few oils and greases that are detrimental to silicone, so, I would say wipe the facial oils off your masks off with Isopropyl alcohol in the morning, it would be less detrimental than letting the oils damage the silicone.
If you want to sterilize your mask, boil a pot of water, turn off the heat, then give your silicone parts a dunk for a minute or two.
If you want to cross check silicone, or several other plastics for chemical compatibility use this link:
http://www.coleparmer.ca/techinfo/chemcomp.asp
This information is based on my opinions and reliable online reference materials... Your mileage may vary
and came up with a couple of answers that might dispel some statements that were made about cleaning silicone mask parts with alcohol.
I found from multiple sources that is not compatible with SOME Alcohols, BUT IS COMPATIBLE WITH ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL!
These are the questions I posed to GE engineers online today:
"What cleaners, detergents, soaps, etc. can be safely used on molded
silicone respiratory devices? (face mask seals etc.)
What sterilizing techniques, fluids, can be safely used on silicone
respiratory devices without detrimental effects?
Can boiling water be used without damaging/degrading the elastomeric
properties?
There are hundreds of people that would be interested in these answers,
and GE's response to these questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! "
The answer from James Gorski at GE Silicones:
"John,
Boiling water wont be a problem as a standard silicone is fine dealing with temps up to 400F. In terms of cleaning you can us isopropyl alcohol
Jim"
I also found that there are quite a few oils and greases that are detrimental to silicone, so, I would say wipe the facial oils off your masks off with Isopropyl alcohol in the morning, it would be less detrimental than letting the oils damage the silicone.
If you want to sterilize your mask, boil a pot of water, turn off the heat, then give your silicone parts a dunk for a minute or two.
If you want to cross check silicone, or several other plastics for chemical compatibility use this link:
http://www.coleparmer.ca/techinfo/chemcomp.asp
This information is based on my opinions and reliable online reference materials... Your mileage may vary