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Radel R-5800 TR transparent resin is for lids and latches used on sterilization instrument cases and containers. The polyphenylsulfone is easily colored. |
The high-performance resins from Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC, Alpharetta, Ga., can replace stainless steels and other metals used in orthopedic surgical cases and trays.
This lets orthopedic equipment manufacturers such as Paragon Medical, Pierceton, Ind., add distinctive opaque or transparent color schemes to surgical containers that will stay bright and clean looking for their service life.
In contrast, conventional metals can lose their luster, corrode, collect water spots, get dinged, and otherwise show their age over time.
According to Shawn Shorrock, global medical market manager for Solvay, a variety of stock colors are routinely used to differentiate the sizes of orthopedic hardware during implant surgery.
Solvay also compounds medical-grade resins in smaller batches. This way, OEMs with short production runs can get color schemes to match corporate logos or create something entirely new, says Shorrock.
General indication of chemical resistance | ||
| Reagent | Radel R (polyphenylsulfone) | Udel(polysulfone) |
| n-Butane | Excellent | Good |
| Iso-Octane | Excellent | Good |
| Benzene | Fair | Poor |
| Toluene | Fair | Poor |
| Ethanol | Excellent | Good |
| Methylethylkeytone | Poor | Poor |
| 2-Ethoxyethanol | Good | Poor |
| 1,1,1 Trichloroethane | Good | Poor |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Excellent | Poor |
| Hydrochloric acid (20%) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Acetic acid (20%) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sulfuric acid (20%) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sodium hydroxide (10%) | Excellent | Excellent |
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Test samples were submerged at room temperature in the reagents for seven days. Excellent (little or no effect) | ||
— Jean M. Hoffman
MAKE CONTACT
Paragon Medical, (800) 225-6975,
paragonmedical.com
Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC, (800) 621-4557,
solvayadvancedpolymers-US.com