Medical Device Cleaning – Silicone & Metal Adhesion

Q. We manufacture metal medical device parts in house and overmold (LIM) with silicone. We often have adhesion problems between the silicone and metal. We believe the problem is with our current cleaning process. I would like you to recommend a new cleaner that we can test.

A. I recommend you clean with very hot 2% Alconox (20 g/L of 2.5 oz/gal) detergent to remove the silicon residues. Ideally you want to be above 170 deg F. Use the hottest practical temperature you can that will not harm your parts. See attached Alconox MSDS and technical bulletin. You will probably want to get a case of 9X4 lb boxes (catalog number 1104), or possibly just a single box (each box makes 25 gal of 2% solution).

To test an Alconox, Inc. detergent for free, please complete the questionnaire at Get Sample. For additional technical information on cleaning validation, please Download our Medical Device Cleaning Validation References PDF.