Page 48 - Plastics News February 2023

New PC Co-Polymer Grades Withstand Harsh Chemicals in Medical
Applications

tion protocols established during the chemical and impact resistance can
COVID pandemic are ongoing, and help to reduce premature part dam-
Sabic continues to innovate in the area age and failures. Greater durability
of chemical resistance,” said Joshua results in a more positive life cycle,
Chiaw, Director, Business Manage- as fewer devices need to be replaced
ment, LNP & NORYL, Specialties, and, consequently, fewer are sent to
Sabic. “Our specialties business is de- landfills, said Sabic.
veloping new solutions that not only Through expanded thin-wall design
help device manufacturers avoid deg- freedom, the LNP CRX co-polymers
abic will debut two new LNP CRX radation from aggressive disinfectants, enable sustainability to be incorporat-
Spolycarbonate (PC) co-polymer but also address other requirements. ed in devices up front. They can help
resins at the co-located Plastec West Our newest materials extend the LNP designers reduce overall part dimen-
and Medical Design & Manufacturing CRX portfolio by combining signature sions, consolidate parts and materials,
(MD&M) West event in Anaheim, CA, chemical resistance with other desira- and enhance manufacturing efficien-
on Feb. 7 to 9. Offering a combination ble properties, including sustainability. cies with thin-wall molding, which
of chemical and impact resistance, These thin-wall, transparent copoly- is becoming increasingly important
thin-wall transparency, dimensional mers, which complement our opaque in the design of smaller and lighter-
stability, and processability, the new LNP CRX grades, can help customers weight applications such as portable
materials reportedly can overcome take a holistic approach when creat- and hand-held medical equipment.
drawbacks of incumbent PC and co- ing diagnostic devices and wearables
polyester resins when exposed to that deliver longer service life, lower To streamline the manufacturing pro-
disinfectants or aggressive chemicals system costs, and reduce environ- cess, LNP ELCRES CRX1314TW and
in applications such as clear covers, mental impact.” LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW grades
screens, and display lenses. Like all LNP CRX materials, the new can offer several advantages, including
laser welding capability. To meet the
The two grades are LNP ELCRES grades withstand exposure to harsh healthcare industry’s growing need
CRX1314TW co-polymer and its disinfecting chemicals, such as qua- for high-precision, vibration-free as-
bio-based equivalent, LNP ELCRIN ternary ammonium compounds, al- sembly technology, these new co-pol-
CRX1314BTW co-polymer, which cohols, and peroxides, which can ymer resins provide near-infrared (IR)
offers up to a 42% reduction in the lead to environmental stress crack- transmission optical properties that
carbon footprint based on life cycle ing in medical device displays and are required for laser welding. They
assessment (LCA). Both grades fea- covers. The materials offer transpar- enable leakproof, low-stress welds
ture limited biocompatibility accord- ency equivalent to that of PC resins without the need for adhesives.
ing to ISO 10993 and are covered un- at thin-wall geometries of 0.8 to 1.0
der Sabic’s healthcare product policy mm, and are translucent at higher The new LNP CRX products can also
that provides management of change thicknesses. They also deliver impact help protect non-medical products
processes. resistance across a wide temperature from the effects of chemicals used in
range (down to -40°C), dimensional sunscreens, hand creams, and insect
The company first introduced the stability, and good processability, said repellents, which can potentially de-
LNP ELCRES CRX co-polymer resins Sabic. Both grades meet the UL94 HB grade consumer electronics and in-
at MD&M West 2020. The continued standard for horizontal burning. dustrial applications.
market need for chemically resistant
materials has driven the development The new materials contribute to sus- Nithin Raikar, Sabic’s Senior Busi-
of these innovative thin-wall transpar- tainability goals by helping customers ness Manager for LNP Resins and
ent materials, said Sabic. design and manufacture devices with Compounds, will discuss the new
an optimized service life. Improved LNP CRX materials at Plastec West/
“The rigorous healthcare disinfec- MD&M West.

50 PLASTICS NEWS February 2023