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Medalist Compounds Replace PVC in Medical Tubing
February 9, 2010
1 Min Read
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Teknor Apex Co. (Pawtucket, RI) introduced a series of medical-grade elastomers today at MD&M West. Responding to market demand for DEHP-free materials, the company developed the Medalist MD-500-series compounds to replace PVC in medical tubing applications.Boasting clarity and mechanical strength comparable to those of PVC, the Medalist compounds also exhibit a similar look and feel. They feature resistance to kinking and necking as well. In addition, the materials have enhanced bondability to connectors, according to new business development specialist Elliott Pritikin."Medalist MD-500-series products outperform traditional PVC-alternative technologies by mirroring many of the performance and handling characteristics of flexible PVC tubing compounds, while providing distinct advantages in some key capabilities," Pritikin says.Distinct advantages offered by the Medalist materials include more flexibility and a less-dense product than with PVC, according to the company. Furthermore, the company jumped at the chance to improve upon some of the less-desirable characteristics of PVC, Pritikin notes. For example, PVC is compatible with EtO sterilization, but has not been especially gamma stable, he adds. The company claims that the Medalist series, on the other hand, exhibits 70% less heat-aged color shift than a gamma-stabilized PVC compound of comparable hardness. The material is provided with Shore A hardness ranging from 55 to 90.Medical applications for the series include IV and infusion tubing as well as tubes for respiratory and feeding devices.You May Also Like
