Smart Molding International 1-2024

46 smart_molding international 1/2024 materials New Covestro medical polycarbonate pushes the boundaries of heat resistance • Combines biocompatibility, heat-resistance, transparency and durability • Boosts productivity in silicone overmolding applications • Can contribute to customer sustainability goals O vermolding polycarbonate with liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is commonly used to produce respiratory masks and other medical devices requiring molded-in seals. Now, Covestro, a leading pro- ducer of advanced polymers and high- performance plastics has developed Apec® 2045 – a copolycarbonate with the highest heat resistance – enabling molders and medical OEMs to signifi- cantly slash production time and cost, without sacrificing quality, perfor- mance or appearance. "We work closely with our healthcare customers and recognized that we could offer a polycarbonate made for highest curing temperatures in silicone over- molding, helping themmore than double production volumes in the same amount of time due to shorter cycle times," said Pierre Moulinie, Global Healthcare Technology Lead, Covestro LLC. "Our experts provide support every step of the way," he continued, "helping our customers calculate possible savings when switching to this new high-heat Apec® copolycarbonate grade – for example, simulating material performance in specific applications and calculating cost benefits with our LSR calculator tool." In addition to offering high heat resistance and high productivity, Apec® 2045 copolycarbonate offers other important benefits for this market. These include: • Durability: Tough engineering plastic with the highest heat resistance in the medical polycarbonate portfolio • Transparency: Produces transparent parts with high optical clarity • Biocompatible: Biocompatibility testing according to ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI for contact of 30 days or less • Sterilizable: Supports sterilization methods most prevalent in the healthcare industry, including irradiation, autoclave and hot air • Processability: Consistent and efficient processing Furthermore, using this new material may contribute to customer sustainability goals, as it can enable circular business models by supporting close- and open- loop recycling, as well as the possibility of attributed bio-circular content. Polycarbonates fromCovestro are found in some of modern technology’s most essential medical devices and play amajor role in developing next-generation, life- saving technology. Used in applications where strength, clarity and toughness are necessary, polycarbonates from Covestro exemplify the innovation, safety and biocompatibility that healthcare and life sciences designers and manufacturers across the world have come to know and trust. To learn more about how your company can use Covestro’s material expertise to enhance your medical and healthcare manufacturing, visit Covestro Solution Center. Covestro www.covestro.com Apec® 2045 high-heat copolycarbonate is designed for medical devices with molded-in seals and healthcare applications requiring hot air sterilization at up to 180 °C The heat-resistant polycarbonate also boosts productivity in silicone overmolding applications (all pictures: Covestro)