Wearable technology requires clean, safe materials for direct or indirect contact with the human body. Fitness trackers that wrap around the wrist, heart monitors that strap across the chest, and smart clothing or jewelry all need biocompatible materials that won’t irritate the skin, stain clothing, or expose the wearer to toxins. Wearable technology that incorporates sensors, cameras, or displays must also handle the heat associated with electronic components while keeping wearers safe and comfortable.
Whether the application is health, medicine, gaming or fashion, wearable designers can choose silicones or thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for components such as straps, cases, glasses, or headgear. Silicones that meet FDA and USP Class VI requirements for biocompatibility won’t produce a toxic or immunological response when exposed to the skin, or to bodily fluids such as blood or perspiration. Some TPEs are also biocompatible, so choosing the right compound can seem challenging. Here’s what to consider.