PolyOne launches new TPEs to assist in fight against medical infection

PolyOne has launched two new TPE grades for medical device manufacturers that are designed to withstand strong hospital cleaning products whilst still maintaining purpose and function.

New Versaflex HC overmoulding thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for medical device housings offer enhanced resistance to commonly-used antiseptic cleaners, without loss of resilience, appearance of cracking and delamination of the product.

PolyOne says the new grades feature “excellent” bonding to plastics with improved chemical resistance, such as rigid PVC, co-polyesters, PC/polyethylene terephthalate, rigid thermoplastic urethanes and polyetherimide, many of which are now replacing traditional substrate materials. Available in two Shore A hardnesses, Versaflex HC grades can also be customised to achieve desired haptic qualities.

Customers have reported that devices made with Versaflex HC TPEs successfully withstood 10,000 antiseptic wipes. Further, the grades are compatible with PolyOne’s OnColor HC Plus USP Class VI-compliant colourants, which resist fading from repeated antiseptic use.

Both grades, designed for two-shot injection moulding, provide a soft touch and grippy feel to enhance ergonomics, comfort and ease of use for housings of hand-held scanners, patient monitors, infusion pumps, defibrillators, reusable surgical devices and other durable medical devices. With a Shore A hardness of 48, Versaflex HC 1348 is slightly softer than Versaflex HC 1365, which has a durometer of 65A and a matte finish. 

www.polyone.com

Image: New Versaflex HC overmoulding thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for device housings offer enhanced resistance to commonly used antiseptic cleaners used in hospitals.