Biocompatible platinum silicone for skin contact and special effects

Zhermack ZA SFX 10 WT 10 is a two component addition cure silicone rubber with Shore A 10 hardness, developed for special effects. Together with ZA SFX 0020 it is the only product in our range that Zhermack has had assessed under ISO 10993-1 for contact with intact skin as well as contact with mucosal membrane. It mixes 1:1 by weight, the working time is 12 minutes and the material is set after 40 minutes at 23 °C.

Key benefits

• Assessed under ISO 10993-1: tested for cytotoxicity (10993-5), sensitisation (10993-10) and skin irritation (10993-23), with no relevant biological effects. Study completed in August 2023.
• No organic plasticisers: Zhermack states the product does not contain any.
• Shore A 10, firmer than the 00 range: it holds its shape better than SFX 0020 and SFX 0030, which suits thicker appliances and parts that carry load.
• High elongation: 650 % elongation at break and 14 N/mm tear strength, so thin edges do not tear easily.
• Translucent: a neutral base for pigmenting, flocking and skin tones.
• Softened with Deadner: for a gel like consistency without switching product.
• Wide temperature range: the cured material is stable from -40 °C to +200 °C.

Typical applications

• ✓ Special effects make-up, appliances and film prosthetics
• ✓ Prostheses and orthoses
• ✓ Masks, cosplay and props with skin contact
• ✓ Bodycasting and skin replication
• ✓ Medical simulation models and training phantoms
• ✓ Animatronics, robotics and dolls

Processing

1. Shake or stir base and catalyst separately before use to redisperse any sediment.
2. Weigh base and catalyst 1:1. A deviation of up to 5 % does not noticeably change the result.
3. Mix vigorously in a clean container and scrape the bottom and sides, until the mixture is homogeneous.
4. Add Deadner if you want a softer, gel like consistency.
5. Preferably de-air under vacuum and pour from about 30 cm height into the mould, so air bubbles stretch and break.
6. Allow 40 minutes to set at 23 °C, then demould without tools. Use compressed air to help release if needed.

Above 23 °C working time and setting time drop sharply, at 40 °C roughly by half. Below 23 °C both increase considerably.

Points to watch

• ✓ The platinum catalyst is in the CATALYST component. Only use base and catalyst together when they carry the same batch number.
• ✓ Work on clean, grease free and dry surfaces and do not swap the caps of base and catalyst.
• ✓ Vaseline oil can inhibit cure, so test on a small scale first.
• ✓ Sulphur bearing clay, latex, PVC, uncured polyurethane and epoxy, cyanoacrylate and many SLA 3D prints can also poison platinum silicones.
• ✓ Shelf life 12 months when stored between 5 °C and 27 °C.

Professional support

If you are unsure whether this product suits your contact duration and application, or you need the Zhermack biocompatibility dossier, get in touch. Tell us what kind of contact is involved and for how long, and we will find out which documentation exists and which does not.