Rubber stoppers are common items found in the pharmaceutical industry. These stoppers are used to secure glass vials and protect the medications within the vials while they await use by a pharmacist.
Many of the rubber stoppers found in modern pharmacies can be classified as butyl rubber stoppers. A butyl rubber stopper embodies unique characteristics that help to make it an effective and safe option for use with medication vials.
1. The Production of Butyl Rubber Stoppers
The manufacturing process used to create butyl rubber stoppers contributes to their superior performance in pharmaceutical settings. Butyl rubber is a compound made from isobutylene and isoprene. These two materials are combined and processed at ultra-low temperatures to produce butyl rubber.
The low-temperature processing of butyl rubber gives this type of rubber a very stable molecular formation. You can count on butyl rubber stoppers to maintain their shape and resist damage over time as a result of this molecular stability.
Many butyl rubber stoppers are finished with a coating of silicone. The silicone coating helps to eliminate any potential for contamination during the life of the butyl rubber stopper.
2. The Protection of Medications With Butyl Rubber Stoppers
The primary role of butyl rubber stoppers that are manufactured for the pharmaceutical industry is to protect and preserve vital medications found on pharmacy shelves. Butyl rubber is uniquely suited for this task because of its molecular structure.
A butyl rubber stopper that is manufactured to the right specifications will be capable of maintaining an airtight seal once it has been inserted in a glass vial. Eliminating the transfer of air through a glass vial can extend the shelf life of the medicine within that vial.
A butyl rubber stopper can also protect medications by eliminating the potential for leaching. Some rubber compounds can start to leach chemical components over time. These components can eventually contaminate any medications stored in a vial sealed by a rubber stopper. Butyl rubber is considered to be inert, which means that it will not leach out any contaminants as it ages.
3. The Durability of Butyl Rubber Stoppers
Pharmacists want rubber stoppers that are durable and capable of performing efficiently over an extended period of time. Butyl rubber stoppers fulfill these demands.
Butyl rubber is naturally resistant to warping caused by exposure to extreme temperatures. Butyl rubber compounds are also capable of resisting damage when exposed to acids and alkali substances over a prolonged period of time.
The intrinsic cleanliness of butyl rubber compounds that is generated during the polymerization process can be credited with helping to make stoppers made from butyl rubber among the most durable stoppers available on the market today.
4. The Unique Attributes of Butyl Rubber Stoppers
Butyl rubber embodies many unique attributes that make it a perfect choice for pharmaceutical stoppers.
A butyl rubber stopper will be resistant to both moisture and gas permeation. Stoppers made from butyl rubber are highly flexible, which allows them to be inserted and removed a lot of times while retaining their structural integrity. Direct sunlight and exposure to ozone gases will not damage a butyl rubber stopper.
Since pharmaceutical stoppers are used to protect the medications that can make the difference between life and death for a patient, using stoppers that are resilient and strong is essential.
Butyl rubber stoppers have many unique attributes that allow them to provide maximum protection for any medication on a pharmacy's shelves. You may not give much thought to the stoppers used in modern pharmacies, but these stoppers can have a direct impact on the quality of dispensed medications. Stoppers made from butyl rubber are the best choice for pharmaceutical purposes.
Share