Heat-Shrinkable Elastomer Tubing Introduced

Originally Published MPMN January 2004

HOTLINE

Palladium tubing from Cobalt Polymers uses Pebax resin in a  heat-shrink formulation.

Nylon elastomer tubing that offers strength, flexibility, toughness, and a fine surface finish is now available in a heat-shrink formulation. Developed by Cobalt Polymers (Cloverdale, CA), the line of Palladium products reportedly is the first heat-shrink tubing to be made from Pebax resin.

"There are many possible applications," says company president Robert Foley. Especially promising, he notes, is the use of "long lengths of the material to jacket catheter shafts and cover braids or coils." This can save designers weeks of waiting for the right extrusion to come in, adds Foley.

Initially, eight different sizes will be maintained in stock. Off-the-shelf tubing will be available with inner diameters from 0.020 to 0.300 in. and in wall thicknesses from 0.0005 to 0.010 in. Requests for special sizes, hardnesses, and colors can be readily accommodated.

One of the material's properties that may surprise some users, according to Foley, is its expansion rate. "Even with ratios well above 4:1, the tubing maintains its form and ease of use as well as its flexibility."

Cobalt Polymers will introduce Palladium tubing at MD&M West in Anaheim, CA, in January 2004. The company has also announced that it is making free evaluation samples available.

Cobalt Polymers 
138 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425
tel: 800/337-0901
fax: 707/894-9083
[email protected] 
www.cobaltpolymers.com

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