Thermoplastics in the Medical Industry

The use of thermoplastic elastomers in the medical industry is nothing new. The use of TPEs in medical tubing means that hospitals can benefit from the polymer’s high extrusion rates and ability to withstand high temperatures. TPEs are also used in medical devices such as gaskets and stoppers. Thermoplastic elastomers provide the perfect solution for the demand for sterile medical grade devices in clinical settings.

Thermoplastics are widely used in the food and medical industry and are highly regarded for their adaptability. Because they come into contact with food, thermoplastics are tightly regulated in the food service industry and even more controlled in the medical industry. Thermoplastics have been used in everything from food storage containers to medical testing devices and their popularity is only increasing in these sectors.

Whether you are looking to manufacture food preparation tools or medical devices, thermoplastics are an economical and efficient choice.

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Electrical and Electronics

What Uses TPE Cables?

TPE cable types are particularly popular in the automotive and household appliance industries, offering just the right amount of flexibility and insulation.Thermoplastics can be molded into virtually any size or shape of cable, making them perfect for the manufacturers of tiny, fiddly cables as well as larger, sturdier cables for bigger equipment. A TPE cable can be made softer and more pliable depending on how it will be used.

ADVANTAGES OFTHERMOPLASTIC CABLES

The rubber-like nature of this type of cable means that it can be stretched and bent without causing damage. TPE headphone cables are becoming increasingly popular for this reason alone. Virtually no other cable types undergo the stress of headphone cables simply because they are “manhandled” so much by users. Manufacturers may wish to consider thermoplastics as a way forward in terms of creating headphone cables that will not strip, tear or crack with long term use.

Similarly, cables used in computers and household appliances need to be flexible and soft enough to be pushed, pulled, and rearranged. However, they need to withstand constant pressure as well. Thermoplastics assist in the manufacturing of cables that are soft to the touch and yet highly durable.

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Elastomer helps amputees swim

GainShine TPE has developed a thermoplastic elastomer that combines softness with memory and rigidity to meet the demands of a swim dive fin for amputees.

The customized TPE has the proper durometer to prevent chafing but rigid enough to allow a strong push in the water and to stand on itself without deforming. Other benefits are neutral buoyancy, heat resistance and availability in a range of colors.

GainShine’s new elastomer, GS0450-80A, is based on SEBS polymer and sports an 80 Shore A durometer. The company developed the compound for amputees. The new fins, suited to war veterans and to a range of people of different ages.

Learn more: http://www.gainshinetpe.com/elastomer-helps-amputees-swim.html

What is Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) and is it Safe?

It’s becoming more common to see Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS)used as a substitute for PVC in toys. But the question is whether it’s a safer replacement or not . . .

What is SEBS?

SEBS is actually a form of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with styrene added. Green Peace lists SEBS as an acceptable alternative to PVC in toys. Polyolefin plastics such as Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) are the most common building blocks for SEBS, which don’t need plasticizers (like phthalates) or stabilizers (like lead) for flexibility.

Additives, such as plasticizers and stabilizers, are a necessary component of all PVC formulations. Without these additives, PVC is brittle, degrades easily, and is unversatile. Softeners are not chemically bound to the PVC polymer, but rather float around the polymer, like water in a sponge, giving the plastic the flexibility required.

SEBS is already used in the production of toys (teething rings by Tolico in Denmark) and can replace PVC for the production of dolls heads (with hair) using rotational molding techniques, one of the most difficult PVC substitutions.

Often called by the brand name Kraton®, SEBS is used in a wide variety of general-purpose rubber items as well as in handlebar grips, toothbrushes, sports mouth guards, diapers (as the elastic component) and teethers. The chemical resistance of SEBS is similar to natural rubber, having excellent resistance to water, acids, and bases.

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Chinese SEBS Price Surged on High BD Price and Tight Supply

Sinopec Baling Company raised the EXW price of SEBS by RMB 2,000/mt last week. The SEBS offer of Ningbo Keyuan Petrochemical’s SEBS soared to RMB 30,000/mt. Meanwhile, the import price also increased to a large extent.

Asian butadiene price surged. The butadiene price increased by USD 300/mt CFR China. China’s import price of butadiene was RMB 21,500/mt.

For Chinese SEBS producers’ butadiene source, Sinopec Baling Company has its own butadiene products, TSRC (Nantong) Chemical Industrial relied on imported butadiene, and Ningbo Keyuan Petrochemical purchased Chinese-made butadiene. Therefore, the SEBS production cost of Sinopec Baling Company was the lowest in China. The production cost is narrowing recently, thus SCI predicts that the price of SEBS may rise further in the following market.

Currently, the export volume of SEBS is large, leading to limit supply in China. TSRC (Nantong) Chemical Industrial and Sinopec Baling Company put restrictions on sales volume. The imported SEBS from LCY Group can only arrive China in January. Besides, the 20kt/a SEBS unit at Ningbo Keyuan Petrochemical shut down unexpectedly last week, further aggravating the tight supply status in China.

The 30kt/a SEBS unit at Huizhou LCY Elastomer will start trial production after the Spring Festival holiday and will achieve scale production in Q2, 2017. The 20kt/a SEBS unit at Zhejiang Zhongli Synthetic Material won’t be put into production by the end of 2017, thus it will exert no impact to the Chinese SEBS market in the short run.

Though the SEBS demand is just average recently with the Spring Festival holiday approaching, major suppliers’ storage is at a low level on the whole and the supply in China is tight. Therefore, producers will face no trading pressure after the Spring Festival holiday. According to SCI, the SEBS market price will continue to be firm on cost support.

Read more: http://www.gainshinetpe.com/chinese-sebs-price-surged-on-high-bd-price-and-tight-supply.html

Processing of Thermoplastic Elastomers

The processing of thermoplastic elastomers, TPE is characterized by the fact that the material becomes fluid when heating and then is going back to a solid phase when cooling. Thereby rubber-like products can be manufactured by the use of plastic processing equipment.

Almost all TPE materials are fully compounded by the supplier and delivered as granulate. Therefore no mixing procedure is needed. Neither is curing needed and the scrap can be reprocessed.

These differences lead to lower energy consumption and shorter cycle times for production ofTPE products in comparison with rubber products.

As machinery for thermoplastic materials differs from equipment for rubber materials, new investments normally is required when switching the material for a product from rubber to TPE.

The processes used for thermoplastic elastomers are the following. The two first are the most important.

• Extrusion
  Injection moulding
  Calendering
  Blow moulding
  Melt calendering

How to improve bonding capability between TPE and Nylon?

TPE Overmolding onto Nylon(mainly PA6, PA66 and defibrillators modified nylon engineering plastics) often used in handles of kitchen utensils and electric drill tools, electrical accessories, etc. The hardness of TPE can be adjusted by modified formulation. The hardness range for TPE which overmolding onto nylon: Shore 40A~Shore 80A, the most common hardness is Shore 60A.

Injection moulding machine or two-colour injection machine are often used where Thermoplastic Elastomers is molded onto nylon. Injection moulding machine need two sets of mold, a set of mold for nylon parts injection, another set of mold for tpe overmolding onto nylon, it requires two steps. Two-colour injection machine complete the entire production process in one machine, thus shortening the molding cycle, improving work efficiency.

Manufacturers often encounter poor bonding capability where TPE is molded onto nylon. How to improve the situation?

1.Change formulation and improve the compatibility of tpe with nylon, so as to enhance their adhesion. There is a big gap between the two materials’microscopic molecular polarity. Poor compatibility between them make it difficult for tpe bonded to nylon. We can improve adhesive property between tpe and nylon by introducing a graft material.

2.Provide appropriate tpe injection molding temperature. During processing, it is necessary to make tpe and nylon having a close processing temperature. For example, nylon injection molding temperature is 250 to 260 degrees, then tpe overmolding temperature need to be 240 to 250 degrees, approaching but slightly lower than nylon injection temperature.

3.Preheat nylon parts before overmolding. Heat nylon parts and put them into the injection molding machine before it goes cold, then tpe materials molded onto nylon immediately. Thus can improve the adhesion properties of tpe and nylon.

4.Create better product design. Perforate nylon parts in some inconsequential position or set zigzag groove at the edge of soft cover, by insert molding or increasing the contact area between the TPE and nylon can improve their adhesion.

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GainShine TPE creates more possibilities to be green

Thermoplastic elastomer compounding group, GainShine TPE, has added new compounds to its Green family of biobased TPEs, creating more opportunities for sustainability.

GainShine Green is a family of thermoplastic elastomer compounds based on raw materials from renewable resources such as plant and vegetable crops. Raw materials can be produced from various renewable sources, these include products and by-products from agricultural that are rich in carbohydrates, especially saccharides such as grain, sugar beet and sugar cane.

GainShine TPE has developed several new customization options for the GainShine TPE compounds. The hardness range has been expanded to include 20 Shore A to 50 Shore D, with amounts of renewable biocontent to more than 90 percent, depending on the hardness.

One of the key challenges we faced with the GainShine Green TPE compounds was to develop low hardnesses with high levels of renewable content, since most biobased raw materials in the market are quite hard on their own. We have now added lower hardnesses to the GainShine Green range while at the same time maintaining mechanical properties.

GainShine TPE has additionally developed compounds using organic fillers and natural fibers from plants, crops or trees, including cork. Cork is a natural product which comes from the bark of the cork oak tree.

The removal of the bark does not harm the trees and the bark is only harvested after the first 20 years of growth. The removal stimulates a steady regeneration of the bark. Each cork tree provides on average 16 harvests over its 150-200 year lifespan.

For customers that want biobased products that also have a natural look and feel, the use of cork and natural fibers helps to give an additional ‘organic’ appearance.

With these new developments to the GainShine Green TPE range, using different renewable content and covering a greater hardness range, we have created more design and sustainability possibilities.

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Analyst Says Auto Industry To Drive TPE Growth

That rate is higher than that seen in 2013, because “in general, the economy is doing better,” Eller said in a recent interview in Bath. This comeback has been fueled by higher build numbers in the auto market, which accounts for at least half of TPE demand, both in North America and worldwide.

Globally, the largest automotive TPE growth potential is in China and India, where 20 million new vehicles could create 110 million pounds of new thermoplastic elastomer and styrenic block copolymer (SBC) demand from 2011-20, according to Eller, president of Robert Eller Associates L.L.C. in Akron.

In Europe, declining car sales have affected TPE demand negatively. By 2020, the region will be producing 14.7 million vehicles, a level that still would be 8 percent less than the market’s peak 2007 production. This slow comeback has been caused by a decline in consumer appetite for cars, an aging population and Europe’s excellent non-auto transportation system, Eller said.

Global growth markets for TPEs vary by type. For SBCs, growth markets include packaging, auto, electronics, medical and wire and cable. Copolyester growth should come from electronics and bioplastics. The auto sector should provide future growth for TPVs, while thermoplastic polyurethane resins and foam should see improved demand from bioplastics and footwear.

Eller — who presented his most recent TPE outlook at the TPE 2013 conference in Germany in October — cited some potential new applications for TPE materials. Those applications include encapsulation seals for auto rear quarter windows, where TPVs and SBCs could replace PVC and EPDM.

TPVs also could be used in air duct cuffs, where the materials offer heat resistance, ease of processing and adhesion to nylon. TPVs additionally could challenge EPDM in short air ducts, Eller said.

Outside of automotive, SBCs have potential in soft-touch overmolds for closure caps in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Within the TPE sector, Eller explained that SBCs increasingly are competing with TPVs in the auto sector, where TPVs are becoming a commodity.

Longer-term, Eller said that he expects TPE suppliers will increase in both in number and diversity. It also will be more difficult for TPE makers to control their intellectual property. The global TPE market also will see more grades, more competition and more interest in acquisitions.

One such deal already has taken place in 2014, when SBC maker Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. of Houston in January merged with the SBC business of Taiwan-based LCY Chemical Corp. to create a materials firm with annual sales of $2 billion.

Learn more from: http://www.gainshinetpe.com/analyst-says-auto-industry-to-drive-tpe-growth.html

TPEs and the Medical Industry

TPEs have been used for several years in the medical industry. They were initially adopted as

replacements for SBR, latex, and polyisoprene. Those materials did not offer design freedom, and TPEs had similar stress-strain performance. TPE materials can also be easily extruded, which makes them appropriate for tubing and elastic bands. Characterized by softness and suppleness, TPEs also appeal to consumers and are therefore popular for many healthcare products used in a home setting.

Early TPE formulations were considered for thermoset stopper replacement in syringes but failed to meet performance requirements. New formulations and other advances, however, have improved performance of TPEs for stopper applications. As TPE technology has evolved, these materials are being considered for overmolded designs to enhance the feel, ergonomics, and aesthetics of the final part.

Desirable attributes such as softness and ease of molding provide opportunities for TPE use in medical applications such as orthopedics, surgical equipment, syringe plungers, needle shields, face masks, resuscitator and breathable bags, and home-use medical devices. With new formulations, these materials help to address regulatory, performance, design, and cost requirements.

learn more: http://www.gainshinetpe.com/tpes-and-the-medical-industry.html

Guide to Sex Toy Materials

This material is commonly referred to as ‘flesh-like’ in both appearance and texture. You will find TPE in sex toysproduced by Fleshlight, TENGA, Doc Johnson and Pipedream Toys to name a few.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) are, in basic terms, a mix of plastic and rubber. The difference here, is that generally they contain no PVC, Latex or Phthalates. You will recognize a product made from TPE by it’s soft, squishy texture that is often silky to the touch. This is because during production, the moulds used to create the toys are dusted with a ‘renewal’ powder (typically cornstarch) to stop them from sticking to the mould.

Products made from this are usually a little bit more expensive than typical rubber toys. This also means they require a little bit more maintenance. Like Rubber, TPE toys are also porous – so again, you will want to ensure after each use, you thoroughly clean it with anti-bacterial toy cleaner and be sure it’s kept separate from other toys. It’s also advisable to not share this material with a partner unless you are fluid bonded with them. Using a condom could potentially reduce any risk and may increase the longevity of your toy. It’s not an exact science, unfortunately.

Things like TPR/TPE can be quite tricky. Technically speaking, it’s not toxic – but due to is porous nature, I would never use an insertable product made from TPE/TPR. For things like masturbators, it’s a little bit more lenient – but a TPE/TPR dildo or butt plug will retain odour no matter how much you clean it. So for anal use, I would personally steer clear.

To clean a toy made from TPE, this is best down with water and toy cleaner, and then patted dry with a lint free towel. You can also leave it to air dry. It’s best to ensure (especially with a toy like a stroker/masturbator) that the internal canal is totally clean and dry before storage otherwise this will cause irreparable damage to your toy. When the toy is dried, you can lightly dust the toy with cornstarch (or official ‘renewer’ powder) and this will return the toy back to it’s soft velvet appearance.

When using a toy made from TPE – you should only use a water-based lubricant. Silicone/Oil-based lubricants can cause the material to deteriorate.

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