Selecting a high-quality elastomer for critical applications, particularly medical devices, can be a challenge. Designers, engineers and managers must carefully evaluate a wide array of material properties and processing possibilities in order to meet demanding performance specifications and budget requirements, so the performance criteria must be clearly defined. For example, durometer, elongation, modulus and tear must be determined to specify the correct material. With so many materials and fabrication methods available today, it is often difficult to recognize the optimum solution. Further, the implications of selecting an inferior material may cause a project to fail.