Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart, an ISM Resource
Introduction
Get a copy of the new IS Med Specialties Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart
There are choices to make when developing a prototype or sourcing parts for a project. Knowing the right questions to ask ensures the correct part is ordered. Chemical compatibility is especially important for medical flow control components. Our new Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart can help guide the selection of these types of components.
Medical grade components
Medical parts are often times sterilized at some point in the supply chain before use. The hospital environment also exposes them to all sorts of chemicals. The formulation of medical grade plastics makes them typically suitable for these conditions since the manufacturing engineers specify medical grade plastics (polymers) with these conditions in mind. Using medical grade polymers decreases the risk of component cracking and failure.
Chemicals in the medical environment
Medical environments may also expose flow control parts to aggressive cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. Clinics and hospitals use these to reduce the risks of infection. Many oncology drugs, drug carrier solvents and lipids are also harsh chemicals for plastics.
Factors that may influence chemical effects on plastics
- Sterilization processes
- Plastic type
- Chemical class
- Type of medical application
- Temperature
- Exposure Time
- Mechanical stress
- Plastic embrittlement because of aging
- Plastic annealing that relieves molding stresses
Evaluating chemical resistance
IS Med Specialties has developed a new chart to use as a guide when selecting component samples. Products should then be tested for real application conditions since the chemical resistance of plastics can be difficult to predict.
Factors that make it difficult to predict how plastics react to chemicals
- Temperature
- Exposure time
- Chemical combinations
- Chemical concentrations
- Mechanical stresses
What kinds of problems have you had sourcing a part that is appropriate to sample and test in your application? Help us by telling others what you learned.
Have questions about medical chemicals and material compatibility? If so, send me an email - [email protected]. You can also ask questions using the comments section below.
Get a Copy of our Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart
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