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About Important
Thermoplastics Used in the Healthcare Industry
While polymers have been used in the
healthcare industry for decades, more recently industry leaders
are embracing the benefits of using specialty compounds and
thermoplastics in medical, biomedical, and pharmaceutical
applications. Beyond single-use plastics, higher performance
polymers, medical-grade plastics, and thermoplastics present
long-term value to patients and to healthcare as a whole.
Following are the six most readily
used materials.
Ultra-High Molecular Weight
Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) is a medical-grade plastic with
high-impact strength, good wear and abrasion resistance, excellent
chemical resistance, and outstanding low temperature properties.
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
is a unique engineering thermoplastic that also offers excellent
chemical compatibility, low susceptibility to stress cracking,
clinically proven biocompatibility, high dimensional stability,
and good electrical insulation.
Acrylic, the common name for
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a medical-grade thermoplastic
used in the manufacture of medical devices and medical implants
such as intraocular lens implants, bone cement, and cranial
implants.
Acetal Copolymer (Polyoxymethylene)
is a medical-grade thermoplastic with high mechanical strength,
rigidity, and dimensional stability. It delivers good sliding
characteristics and excellent wear resistance, as well as low
moisture absorption.
Polypropylene (PP) is a
thermoplastic manufactured by the catalytic polymerization of
propene. PPs are universal standard medical-grade plastics with
well-balanced properties providing excellent chemical resistance,
high purity, low water absorption, and good electrical insulating
properties.
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) is a
high-temperature thermoplastic polymer that is very chemically
resistant with amazing mechanical strength, even at temperatures
above 200°C (392°F), with low susceptibility to creep.
(
https://www.cdiproducts.com/blog/the-top-6-thermoplastics-trusted-in-the-healthcare-industry
)
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