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1. Are Solvay healthcare plastics biocompatible?
Based on biocompatibility testing as defined by ISO 10993:1, Solvay healthcare plastics demonstrate no evidence of cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous reactivity or acute systemic toxicity.
2. Does Solvay offer healthcare plastics for contact with blood, tissues or bodily fluids for more than 24 hours?
Solviva™ Biomaterials are offered for use in implantable medical devices for short-term and long-term use. Only products designated as Solviva™ Biomaterials may be considered as candidates for medical applications implanted in the human body and devices that are in contact with bodily fluids or tissues for greater than 24 hours.
3. Are Solvay healthcare plastics available in colors?
Solvay offers a variety of opaque and transparent colors for several of its healthcare plastics. Radel R PPSU, Udel PSU, AvaSpire modified PEEK and Ixef PARA are available in a wide range of opaque colors. Where transparency is important, consider Radel R PPSU and Udel PSU. Custom colors and gamma radiation stabilized Ixef grades are also available.
4. Can Solvay healthcare plastics be overmolded with silicone?
Yes. Be aware that not all medical grade silicones are suitable for overmolding. Special grades and processing conditions are typically required to get a hermetic seal between the silicone and the plastic substrate, and some material combinations are more compatible than others. Please contact Solvay for a list of companies experienced in overmolding our polymers.
5. What adhesives can be used with Solvay healthcare plastics?
End use is a key consideration when selecting the proper adhesive. For example, is it single use or reusable? Does it need to meet ISO 10993 or USP Class VI requirements? In most cases, we recommend using one-part or two-part epoxies. We do not recommend “super glues” under any circumstances, as methyl and cyanoacrylates cause stress cracking in sulfone-based polymers.
6. Are pad printing and silk screening viable options?
Absolutely. Our customers routinely use these techniques to add company logos, labels and product information to their products. Sterilization requirements should be considered as many inks cannot survive the high temperatures of autoclaving. Be sure to review all end-use requirements with your ink supplier.
7. Can Solvay products be laser etched?
All of our healthcare plastics can be laser etched. The degree of contrast can vary and depends on the color and type of plastic being used. Please contact Solvay if you need assistance finding a company with laser-etching expertise.
8. What specialty grades area available (e.g., radiolucent, anti-microbial)?
We typically do not provide grades with special additives or fillers. Instead, we work closely with a number of custom compounders and are willing to provide assistance during product development. Please contact us for list of recommended companies.
9. What processing methods are suitable for Solvay healthcare plastics?
Our plastics can be processed using all conventional melt processing techniques, with injection molding being the most commonly used method. Most grades can be formed into stock shapes and used in profile extrusion. Many unfilled grades can be extruded into sheet stock for thermoforming. Ixef polyarylamide is the exception to this and is available primarily as injection molding grades. Detailed processing guides are available on our website and cover topics such as mold types, mold design and recommended processing conditions.
10. Which products can be thermoformed and what are the processing recommendations?
Unfilled grades of Udel polysulfone and Radel R polyphenylsulfone are easy to thermoform and sheet is readily available from several companies. Unfilled grades of KetaSpire PEEK and AvaSpire modified PEEK can also be thermoformed, however sheet has more limited availability. Processing recommendations for Udel and Radel resins are available in our sulfone polymers processing guide. Please contact Solvay for assistance with our PEEK and modified PEEK products.
11. Are Solvay products available in stock shapes for machining?
Most of our healthcare plastics are available in stock shapes from a number of companies; however, not every color may be available. Natural, white and beige colors of Udel, Radel R, AvaSpire and KetaSpire resins are readily available in several sizes of rod and slab shapes. Please contact Solvay for assistance in locating stock shape suppliers that carry these products.
12. What is the preferred method for using metal inserts?
Metal inserts should be placed using a post-molding operation to minimize molded part stress and maximize performance, especially in unfilled plastics. Ultrasonic staking provides the most control, but requires special equipment and jigs for proper placement. Heat staking is a less accurate, lower-cost alternative that uses temperatures much higher than normal processing temperatures to heat the insertion in order to allow for rapid cooling during the insertion process.
If over-molding the insert is preferred due to production volumes and cost, then we recommend that you preheat the insert prior to placement to reduce the stress created by difference in cooling rates of metal and plastic. Please consult our processing guides for additional information.
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