title: Silicone absorption of elastomeric closures--an accelerated study.
abstract: There is a trend in the parenteral industry to move from the use of elastomeric closures which are washed, siliconized, dried and sterilized in-house at the pharmaceutical manufacturers' site to pre-prepared closures purchased from the closure supplier. This preparation can consist of washing to reduce particle-load and bioburden, siliconization, placement in ready-to-sterilize bags and may eventually extend to sterilization by steam autoclave or gamma irradiation. Since silicone oil lubrication is critical to the processability/machinability of closures, research was designed to investigate this phenomenon in closures prepared using the Westar RS (Ready-to-Sterilize) process. This paper presents the data gathered in a study of the characteristic of silicone absorption into elastomeric closures under accelerated conditions. Variables such as silicone viscosity, rubber formulation, effect of sterilization and others are considered.
authors.affiliation: The West Company, Lionville, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Degrazio
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hlobik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D004345:Drug Industry; D012408:Rubber; D012827:Silicone Oils
chemical_list: D012827:Silicone Oils; D012408:Rubber