Full Transparency: Arkema Develops High Flow Luctor PMMA Alloy and Clear Rilsan Polyamide
Altuglas Luctor Medical Grade Acrylic Alloy Designed To Reduce Processing Costs
Altuglas International, a subsidiary of French chemical manufacturer Arkema, has introduced Altuglas Luctor polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) alloy for medical processors. The alloy is pitched as a high-flow polymer and is said to flow "twice far as conventional transparent medical polymers" in thin wall injection mould cavities.
With this new material, devices such as intravenous (IV) line components can be moulded with thinner wall sections, using multi-cavity molds to reduce material and processing costs.
“Altuglas Luctor PMMA alloy was primarily designed to improve product and processing costs for PMMA components,” said Kirsten Makel, Altuglas International’s North American Resins business director. “However, the IPA [isopropanol alcohol] resistance of this alloy makes it more than a high-flow acrylic.” Isopropanol alcohol is a common chemical used to clean medical devices.
Processors who are looking to reduce cost through efficient use of materials in thin wall parts are expected to benefit most from this alloy, especially as healthcare cost management initiatives and competition among device companies are placing greater demand on medical component manufacturers to reduce costs.
Material costs can be reduced by designing components with thinner wall sections. Processing costs can be reduced by decreasing sprue and runner sizes and increasing the number of cavities in multi-cavity moulds.
Altuglas says that these savings can only be achieved with materials that offer substantial improvements in melt flow. The new alloy from Altuglas is a chemical resistant, transparent polymer that is said to offer a step-wise improvement in flow over traditional transparent polymers, such as PMMA and polycarbonate.
The superior chemical resistance properties of Altuglas Luctor PMMA alloy allow it to replace polycarbonates in IV line components, such as luers. Like traditional PMMA, this new alloy is resistant to fats (also known as lipids) and plasticisers used in other polymer components, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. Similar to polycarbonate, the alloy is resistant to isopropyl alcohol (IPA) which is used extensively for cleaning medical devices.
Transparent Polyamide for Home Healthcare Applications
Arkema has also introduced Rilsan Clear G-170 Med, a fully transparent polyamide for use in breathing masks, tubing and other transparent medical components. Rilsan Clear G-170 Med is more transparent than glass, lighter and more flexible than polycarbonate for applications in which patient comfort is required.
The rise in home healthcare is expected to increase demand for consumer-friendly medical devices. Reduced weight and improved flexibility of devices worn by patients for continuous periods of time, such as masks, may help improve compliance. Transparency of components used in these devices can improve function and aesthetics.
Rilsan Clear G-170 Med is designed for innovative transparent medical device components. Light transmittance of this new medical grade is 91%, exceeding that of glass. Sterilization resistant and with a specific gravity of 1.05, Rilsan Clear G-170 Med is 12% lighter than traditional transparent medical plastics, such as polycarbonates, resulting in devices that are easier to carry or wear for extended periods of time. Such complex devices often require flexibility for a better assemble ability and to improve patient comfort or mobility. Rilsan Clear polyamide has a flexural modulus of 2,020 MPa (293,000 psi), representing a 16% improvement in flexibility compared to polycarbonate.
Following on the success of Pebax SA 01 MED, Rilsan Med and Rilsamid Med, which are now an industry standard in cardiovascular devices, including catheters, because of its commitment to innovation Arkema constantly develops and proposes new high performance materials for healthcare applications.
Highly hydrophilic Pebax MV 1074 SA 01 Med was recently introduced and has already made quite a buzz in the marketplace. It offers high moisture absorption and is a unique solution to enhance lubricity of medical devices against wet bodily tissues.