TAGS: Medical
Thermoplastic Composites Metal Replacement
Ixef® Polyarylamide (PARA) from Solvay is now globally available in rod stock from its channel partner Drake Medical Plastics. Offering high stiffness, high strength, biocompatibility, and light weight, the medical-grade Ixef® PARA stock shapes can be precisely machined to create appearance prototypes of single-use orthopedic surgical instruments. This approach avoids the considerable time and expense of producing soft tooling. Once the part design is finalized, device manufacturers can fully leverage the performance properties of Solvay’s Ixef® PARA resin using injection molding.
Steven Quance, Drake Medical’s President, said “Ixef® PARA shapes address the need for more-efficient prototyping that can help OEMs control development costs and accelerate time to market for new single-use surgical instruments and other devices. Designers can quickly and easily create visual prototypes that give an accurate representation of their final product.”
Performance-driven Ixef® PARA Stock
For single-use orthopedic surgical instruments, injection molded Ixef® PARA now delivers performance comparable to that of traditional stainless steel, but without the drawbacks. The 50-percent glass fiber-reinforced resins feature excellent rigidity, creep resistance, and strength required to withstand mechanical strain and stress.
However, they are up to 450 percent lighter than metal, enabling OEMs to increase the number of tools in a surgical instrument kit. Another advantage is their smooth, resin-rich surface, which helps avoid the risk of glove tears from the glass fiber and minimizes moisture absorption. From a design standpoint, Ixef® PARA enables the incorporation of ergonomic elements, such as textures for improved grip, without the need for secondary operations.
Solvay Ixef® PARA Product Range
Drake Medical Plastics, which serves the medical component and life sciences industries, is currently the only supplier of Solvay Ixef® PARA extruded rod stock. The company offers the rods in three diameters: 19 mm (0.75 in), 30 mm (1.0 in), and 77 mm (3.0 in) in a neutral gray color (Ixef® GS-1022/GY02). Injection molding grades of Ixef® PARA healthcare resins are also available from Drake Medical Plastics in seven additional gamma-stabilized colors.
These materials have been evaluated for ISO 10993 limited-duration biocompatibility and are supported by a U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Master Access File (MAF). Ixef® PARA is optimized for sterilization using high-energy gamma radiation without causing significant change in appearance or performance.
Solvay Ixef® Portfolio
Source: Solvay