Creating strong bonds with LSR technology and Tritan

Medical devices and housings are getting a surge of chemical resistance and impact strength thanks to the integration of new liquid silicone rubber (LSR) technology with medical grades of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Momentive’s Silopren LSR 47×9 series provides strong in-mold adhesion with Tritan—without the need for primers.
 
Clear and opaque grades of Tritan have a lower Tg and require a lower processing temperature than other engineering polymers. Because Silopren LSR 47×9 can cure rapidly at relatively low temperatures, it’s possible to achieve optimal functional performance and efficient processing with Tritan.

This combination is ideal for applications that require properties like handling comfort, waterproofing, durability, and aging stability. Incorporating LSR technology enhances the advantages of Tritan, which include:
  • Outstanding chemical resistance
  • Excellent impact strength and durability
  • Made without bisphenol A (BPA) and halogens
  • Superior noise-damping characteristics

Four steps for testing housing material performance

When exposed to commonly used aggressive disinfectants and drugs, many materials used in medical devices can crack, craze, discolor, and become sticky. Currently, there are no industry standards for evaluating surface compatibility. That’s why Eastman developed a 4-step test method based on ASTM standards to better understand why plastics fail and how different plastics perform in the real world.
 
This simple, easily-repeatable test can help predict the reliability of a material after exposure to harsh cleaners and drugs commonly used in hospital settings. The method uses a 1.5% constant strain jig together with wet patches for applying chemical reagents. Here’s how it works:
  1. Select the appropriate jig.
  2. Load flex bars onto jig.
  3. Apply chemicals to the flex bars.
  4. Perform reverse side impact test.

A preferred supplier that goes the extra mile

At Eastman, we go above and beyond the typical duties of a preferred supplier. Unlike many of our competitors, Eastman provides you with regulatory and technical services to help you through the manufacturing process—at no extra cost to you. This guidance, along with access to our high quality, innovative materials, will elevate your brand and ensure that you’re optimizing our polymers for your devices.
 
Our regulatory group stays current with global regulatory changes and makes this information readily available to the market. We provide you with all the necessary regulatory information for the safe use of our polymers, including details on compliance with Food and Drug Administration standards, chemical and mechanical properties, and more.
 
We also offer premium technical service for all aspects of the molding process, from conception through bringing your product to market. Eastman Design Services capabilities include:
 

    Eastman Innovation Reaches Times Square

















    Eastman innovation in the medical market reaches coast to coast this week from this billboard in Times Square to MD&M West in California. Talk about the “wow” factor! To see upcoming MD&M West 2018 recap posts visit our Eastman Medical Polymers Linkedin page.

    Join Us at MD&M West 2018!

    Eastman will be exhibiting at Medical Design & Manufacturing West 2018 February 6-8, 2018 in booth 2401.

     

    UCSF Biomed Shares Medical Device Breakdown

    Watch this fascinating conversation with Richard Fechter, a principal developmental engineer at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

    Thank You for Asking.

    We often receive great questions about molding with Eastman medical grade polymers and are always glad to provide answers and more information. Here is a response to a recent query from our inbox:
     
    “What is the heat deflection temperature for Eastman MXF221 copolyester?”
     
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT) is the temperature at which a polymer or plastic deforms under a specified load. The HDT of our latest offering, Eastman MXF221 copolyester, is outlined here.
     
    Thermal properties
    Deflection temperature  
      @ 0.455 MPa (66 psi) ASTM
    D 648 
    94°C (201°F)
     

    Tritan on Tour! Sept. 19th, 2017

    Liquid silicone rubber technology enhances Eastman Tritan™ copolyesters.

    There’s a growing demand in today’s medical market for innovative medical devices and housings that provide a superior combination of chemical resistance and impact strength. Thanks to advancements in liquid silicone rubber (LSR) technology, manufacturers are now able to meet this demand using medical grades of Eastman Tritancopolyester. 
     
    Momentive’s Silopren LSR 47×9 series provides strong in-mold adhesion with Tritan™ without the need for primers. This combination is ideal for applications that require properties like handling comfort, waterproofing, durability, and aging stability, including:
    • Respiratory devices
    • Sealing elements
    • Gaskets for joints in housings and hardware
    • Buttons and switches on electronic housings and hardware
    • Vibration reduction
    • Membranes and lenses for electronic device housings
     

    Improving Medical Devices with Eastman MXF221 Copolyester

    Eastman’s polymers are the key components used in many medical devices, and we’re constantly innovating our materials to help equipment achieve optimum performance and withstand the ever-changing demands of the health care industry.
     
    Our latest offering, Eastman MXF221 copolyester, is a biocompatible, fully compounded medical grade polymer that is uniquely suited for medical devices and electronic device housings. Developed from Eastman Tritan copolyester, Eastman MXF221 copolyester offers superior chemical resistance to stringent disinfectants and drugs, improved durability, and greater longevity.
     
    Eastman MXF221 copolyester provides many advantages for devices and brands, including:
     
    • Unsurpassed chemical resistance—Unlike polycarbonate or other polymers that lose their impact strength after contact with harsh disinfectants and chemicals, Eastman MXF221 copolyester can withstand many aggressive disinfectants without cracking, crazing, or hazing.
       

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