Fast-curing silicone moisture barrier with tailored mechanical properties
Fast-curing silicone elastomer (PDMS-WV-x) that forms an optically transparent moisture barrier with mechanical properties tuned by the weight fraction of a siliceous nanoparticle filler. Cures at ambient temperature (accelerable by heat), is water-repellent with a contact angle of about 100°, and maintains stable dynamic mechanical properties from -25 to over 100 °C. Suitable for moisture-barrier, gap-filling, and protective coating applications requiring tailored stiffness and flexibility. Initial sample sets can be delivered within three months.
Overview
PDMS-WV-x is a family of fast-curing silicone elastomers engineered for moisture-barrier applications where mechanical behavior must be matched to the end use. The material cures at ambient temperature, or more rapidly when heated, to form an optically transparent, water-repellent barrier. Stiffness and flexibility are tuned by adjusting the weight fraction (x) of a siliceous nanoparticle filler, enabling formulations to be tailored for specific requirements. One example composition achieves an elastic modulus of 1.5 MPa with a strain-at-break above 100%, combining useful firmness with high flexibility.
The cured material is transparent and capable of filling small gaps, providing a moisture barrier that is visually unobtrusive once in place. All components are commercially available, and the rapid cure chemistry supports practical timelines for prototyping and scale-up. These characteristics make the material attractive for applications needing a thin, flexible, water-repellent seal or barrier with controlled mechanical response.
Technical specifications
Composition and curing
- Silicone platform PDMS-WV-x, where x is the weight fraction of a siliceous nanoparticle filler
- Cures at ambient temperature; cure rate increases with temperature
Tailorable mechanical properties
- Elastic modulus and strain behavior controlled by filler loading
- Example composition: elastic modulus of 1.5 MPa and strain-at-break over 100%
Barrier and surface performance
- Optically transparent after cure
- Water-repellent; contact angle of approximately 100°
- Stable dynamic mechanical properties from -25 °C to over 100 °C, supporting resistance to mechanical oscillations across a wide service temperature range
Validation considerations
- Adhesion to target substrates must be assessed as a function of aging; this testing is included in the development plan
Technology readiness level
The material is at laboratory-scale proof-of-concept. Compositions have been prepared and characterized for mechanical, optical, surface, and thermal performance. The next stage is application-specific validation, focusing on adhesion and durability on relevant substrates. Under the current plan, an initial sample set can be delivered within three months for end-user testing, with a prototype product expected within approximately one person-year of effort. The development team has experience engineering silicones for demanding applications and can iterate on formulation based on test results and scale-up needs.
About WynnVision LLC
WynnVision LLC is a biomedical company founded in 2016 that specializes in developing rapid, surface-modifying technologies for medical devices. By altering surface chemistry, their proprietary approach aims to kill bacteria on contact and inhibit biofilm formation, addressing significant healthcare challenges such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related infections. The company provides a range of research services, including surface characterization, antimicrobial efficacy testing, and biocompatibility assessments, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to perform evaluations consistent with ASTM guidelines.
These capabilities support the healthcare sector by providing innovative strategies to enhance patient safety and device longevity, specifically targeting infections that are difficult to diagnose and treat. Supported by multiple research grants from the National Institutes of Health and various innovation partnerships, WynnVision focuses on translating scientific research into practical, therapeutic solutions. Their work is central to reducing device-related complications, with ongoing projects aimed at improving the performance of indwelling catheters, endotracheal tubes, and surgical shunts.
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