Thermoplastic Elastomers are widely used in various fields due to their broad range of properties and diverse processing methods. This article offers a detailed analysis of the properties of thermoplastic elastomers and their applications in the medical field.
In terms of the characteristics of thermoplastic elastomers, their hardness can be adjusted from super soft or gel-like to semi-rigid materials. This wide range of hardness options allows thermoplastic elastomers to meet the needs of different application scenarios. Optical properties can also be adjusted from transparent to opaque, providing more possibilities for product design. Through modification, thermoplastic elastomers can meet specific requirements related to strength, low-temperature toughness, thermal stability, chemical resistance, and UV resistance.
In terms of processing methods, thermoplastic elastomers can be produced into films, sheets, profiles, or tubes through various processing methods such as injection molding, blow molding, multi-material insert molding, extrusion, or co-extrusion. These diverse processing methods enable TPE to meet a variety of customized product requirements.
In practical applications, medical-grade thermoplastic elastomers are made from raw materials that comply with FDA standards and do not contain phthalates or latex proteins, ensuring their safety in medical applications. Their chemical inertness or inherently "clean" composition makes them an ideal choice for medical applications. Moreover, TPE materials themselves do not contain extractables or leachables, even when in contact with water-based systems (like liquids).
Thermoplastic Elastomers for Tourniquet Material
They are new environmentally friendly materials based on thermoplastic styrene-butadiene rubber, with major components including SEBS, PP, and white oil. The performance advantages are:
Smooth and delicate surface with a skin-like texture;
High tensile strength, 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, causing almost no pollution when incinerated as medical waste, unlike PVC which produces a large amount of carcinogenic dioxins in special models that are professional nano antibacterial formulations, instantly killing 99% of common bacteria.
Thermoplastic Elastomers in Thermometers
Thermoplastic elastomers used in thermometers is one of the typical applications of TPE materials in over-molding. The performance advantages are:
Environmentally friendly and safe, free from phthalates, halogens, and the 38 high-concern substances specified in REACH, compliant with ROHS, REACH, NP, EN71, and PAHS environmental testing standards;
Good processing performance, excellent adhesion, and good over-molding effects;
Good elasticity, providing a comfortable touch for thermometer products, enhancing the grip, aesthetics, and added value of the products.
Thermoplastic Elastomers in Infusion Tubes
Infusion tubes were primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials, but now a considerable portion is made from thermoplastic elastomer materials. Additionally, injection needles, primarily made from PVC and polypropylene, are widely used.
Thermoplastic elastomer materials have the high elasticity, high strength, and high resilience of rubber and the characteristics of injection molding. TPE materials, a type of thermoplastic elastomer, are used in ordinary transparent toys, sports equipment, etc., featuring environmental friendliness, non-toxic safety, a broad application range, excellent colorability, soft touch, weather resistance, fatigue resistance, temperature resistance, and superior processing performance.
Thermoplastic Elastomers as Medical Protective Clothing Material
PU and TPU film composite materials, these composite materials have certain improvements in moisture permeability and comfort compared to coating materials. At present, more and more protective clothing manufacturers are beginning to adopt high moisture-permeable TPU films to develop high-protection level, comfortable-to-wear medical protective clothing materials.
The TPU film production process eliminates the need for the addition of calcium carbonate powder granulation, resulting in high production efficiency. When sewing and sealing protective clothing, TPU sealing strips are used, eliminating the need for tape with fabric structures, thus the production and hot pressing bonding efficiency of the strips increases, and the sealing, waterproof, and barrier level is high.
