New medical grade polymers to offer balance of design, molding & end-product properties

13-Feb-09

Eastman Chemical Company recently unveiled its new family of medical-grade polymers at the Medical Design & Manufacturing West trade show Feb. 9 to 12, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. The company said in a release that the newly launched grades of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester are innovative, clear polymers that deliver a balance of design, molding and end-product properties for medical devices. Medical grades of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, the company stated, provide outstanding lipid and chemical resistance; higher heat stability; easy processing; excellent long-term clarity; added durability and toughness; and are made without bisphenol-A (BPA) or halogens, thereby allowing the new material to perform at a level comparable to, or in many cases superior to, other polymers in the medical industry. The new medical grades of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester are said to be well-suited for a variety of medical-device applications that demand superior chemical resistance, clarity, hydrolytic stability and retention of properties after gamma, electron beam (E-beam) and Ethylene Oxide (EtO) sterilization. Additionally, Tritan™ provides exceptional protection against the negative effects of common materials that can lead to environmental stress cracking and deterioration in medical environments. The company notes that possible application options include IV system components, respiratory devices and blood therapy devices.