Typical applications of TPE TPU and other elastomer materials in 'anti-epidemic war'

Typical applications of TPE, TPU and other elastomer materials in 'anti-epidemic war'

To fight the new crown pneumonia, the people of the whole country are mobilized and united. We believe that with firm confidence and appropriate measures, this silent national battle will soon be won.In this battle, we saw that elastomer, rubber, and plastic stool polymer materials played a very important role. Among them, thermoplastic elastomer materials had to be mentioned.

In recent years, the development of thermoplastic elastomer materials in the world has shown a rapid upward trend. More and more medical equipment manufacturers tend to choose thermoplastic elastomer materials in production for products that require flexibility or rubber elasticity. The application of elastomer materials in the medical industry has become one of its highlights.

The reason why TPE materials are used in the medical industry

The versatility of TPE is one of the reasons why it is used in the medical industry, TPE materials currently on the market can meet many requirements of the end use, and for any specific application category, TPE material suppliers can provide two or more Chemically distinct TPE classes.

TPEs have a wide selection of properties, with hardness ranging from ultra-soft or gel-like to semi-rigid materials; optical properties from transparent to opaque, etc.TPE products are available in different grades to meet requirements for strength, low temperature toughness, thermal stability, chemical resistance and UV resistance.In addition, there are many processing methods of TPE, which can be processed to produce films, sheets, profiles or pipes by different methods such as injection molding or blow molding, multi-material insert molding, extrusion or co-extrusion.

TPE's chemical inertness or its own 'clean' composition are also ideal for medical applications.Medical-grade TPE is made from FDA-compliant raw materials and is free of phthalates and latex proteins.Additionally, the TPE material itself contains no extractables or leachables, even when in contact with water-based systems such as liquids.

Thermoplastic elastomer materials vs traditional materials in the medical industry

1. PVC

In the medical device industry, the use of PVC is gradually abandoned, mainly because they generally contain phthalate plasticizers, which will produce dioxins and other substances during incineration, which will cause harm to the human body and the environment.While phthalate-free PVC compounds are now available for use in the medical industry, the life cycle of PVC itself remains an issue, making manufacturers more willing to choose alternative materials.

2. Latex

The problem with latex is the potential for protein allergies in the user and industry concerns about the curable and leachable content and odor of the latex itself.Another factor is economics: processing rubber is more laborious than processing TPE, and processing waste from TPE products is recyclable.

3. Silicone rubber

Often many products using silicone rubber do not require high heat resistance or low compression set at high temperatures.Silicone definitely has its advantages, including being able to withstand multiple sterilization cycles, etc., but for some products, TPE is a more cost-effective alternative.In many cases, they offer improvements over silicones.Typical applications where TPE can be used in place of silicone are drains, bags, pump tubing, mask gaskets, seals, etc.

Application of thermoplastic elastomer materials in the medical industry

1.TPE tourniquet

TPE tourniquet material is a new type of environmentally friendly material based on thermoplastic styrene-butadiene rubber. The main components are SEBS, PP and white oil.

Performance advantage

The surface is smooth and delicate, with skin texture;

High tensile strength and good hemostatic effect;

Good elasticity, small tensile deformation, high production efficiency, easy to color;

Environmentally friendly, fully compliant with food, medical and FDA standards;

Odorless, as a medical waste incineration, it is almost pollution-free, and it will not produce a large amount of carcinogens like PVC. The special type of dioxin is a professional nano antibacterial formula, which instantly kills 99% of common bacteria;

Does not contain special proteins and will not cause allergic reactions to special groups.

2. TPE Thermometer

TPE materials are used in thermometers, which is one of the typical applications of TPE materials in encapsulation.

Performance advantage

Environmental protection and safety, no phthalates, no halogens, no 38 SVHC substances of high concern stipulated by REACH, in line with ROHS, REACH, NP, EN71, PAHS environmental protection testing standards;

Good processing performance, good adhesion effect and good encapsulation effect;

Good elasticity, endows the thermometer product with a comfortable touch, improves the grip of the product, improves the aesthetics of the product and the added value of the product.

3. TPE medical roller

TPE is recyclable, has adjustable hardness, and meets FDA and heavy metal content requirements. It is a recognized environmentally friendly material and meets the medical industry's demand for cleaner, safer and more cost-effective materials. The use of TPE materials in medical rollers is a typical example.

Performance advantage

Good wear resistance, good adhesion, good shock absorption performance;

Quiet operation, no noise interference, can achieve mute effect;

Superior physical properties: good appearance and texture, easy to color, uniform tone and stability;

Resistant to general chemicals (water, acid, alkali, alcohol solvent), and can be immersed in solvent or oil for a short period of time;

Non-toxic, non-polluting and recyclable for secondary processing.

4. TPE medical film operating table cloth

TPE material can be applied to medical film operating table fabric.

Performance advantage

Breathable, moisture permeable and watertight, antibacterial;

Good puncture resistance and slip resistance;

The hand feels delicate and dry, with skin texture and good skin affinity;

Good elasticity, small stretch deformation, fast recovery force;

easy to color;

Odorless, environmentally safe, FDA-tested.

5. Infusion and injection supplies

In the fight against the epidemic, almost all of the disposable infusion sets and injection needles used in medical treatment are made of polymer materials. In the past, the infusion tubes were mainly made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials, and now a considerable part is made of TPE materials. , Another large amount is the injection needle, mainly PVC and polypropylene.

Performance advantage

TPE material is a kind of material with high elasticity, high strength and high resilience of rubber, and also has the characteristics of injection molding.TPE material, a class of thermoplastic elastomers, used in ordinary transparent toys, sports equipment, etc., is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and safe, has a wide range of applications, has excellent colorability, soft touch, weather resistance, fatigue resistance and temperature resistance, processing Excellent performance, no need for vulcanization, can be recycled to reduce costs, can be secondary injection molding, wrap and bond with PP, PE, PC, PS, ABS and other matrix materials, or can be molded separately.

Due to the residual and release of chlorine element in the use process of PVC material, it is harmful to human health and the environment, so it is less and less used in medical treatment.The TPE material can just make up for its shortcomings, and gradually replace PVC in medical supplies to make infusion tubes.

6. TPU medical protective clothing

PU, TPU film composite material, this composite material has a certain improvement in moisture permeability and comfort compared with coating materials.At this stage, more and more protective clothing manufacturers have begun to use high moisture permeability TPU films to develop medical protective clothing fabrics with high protection levels and comfortable wearing.

Performance advantage

The TPU film-making process eliminates the need to add calcium carbonate powder granulation process, and the production efficiency is high.TPU sealing tape is used when sewing protective clothing, without the need to use tape with fabric structure.

7. Commonly used protective gloves

Protective gloves are essential protective equipment for operations. According to different functions and materials, protective gloves can be divided into many categories.Therefore, it is very important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used protective glove materials to choose gloves reasonably.

Performance advantage

TPU medical gloves can provide excellent water vapor permeability, antibacterial properties and comfort; TPU hydrophilic film can make wound dressings breathable and absorbent; TPU has good compatibility with human blood and tissue, and can also be used to make blood vessels and materials for artificial organs.

8. Goggles

The goggle lenses are made of PC material. The light transmittance of PC material is very good, and the ultra-high light transmittance can enhance the clarity of the field of vision.

Performance advantage

Using TPE elastic frame, the radian of the goggles can be designed according to the radian of the face, and can be stretched according to the width of the face, without feeling tight and oppressive, the part of the goggles in contact with the skin is added to the nose frame and temples. The TPE elastomer material cushion is non-slip during use, which can increase the comfort of long-term wearing.

The base material of goggles made of TPE elastomer material is SEBS, which is a new type of environmentally friendly material, which can pass the EU ROHS and REACH environmental protection. Smooth and comfortable.