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New Covestro medical polycarbonate pushes the boundaries of heat resistance
Overmolding polycarbonate with liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is commonly used to produce respiratory masks and other medical devices requiring molded-in seals. Using a polycarbonate made for higher temperatures in silicone overmolding can help to more than double production volumes due to shorter cycle times.
Story · December 22, 2023
Apec® 2045 high-heat copolycarbonate designed for medical devices with molded-in seals and healthcare applications requiring hot air sterilization at up to 180 °C.
For 50+ years, healthcare customers have relied on our expertise and polycarbonate solutions. We continue to look for opportunities to provide added value to our customers. With this in mind, we formulated a polycarbonate made for higher temperatures in silicone overmolding to help our customers more than double production volumes in the same amount of time due to faster curing. Apec® 2045 offers the highest heat resistance in our medical polycarbonate portfolio. In addition, it offers a mix of properties that helps ensure high quality, performance and appearance for respiratory masks and similar medical applications with molded-in seals. Furthermore, Covestro experts support our customers every step of the way, for example, helping them calculate possible savings when switching to this material.
Key Benefits
High heat resistance:
Formulated for highest curing temperatures in silicone overmolding and hot air sterilization.
Durability:
Tough engineering plastic with the highest heat resistance in the Covestro medical polycarbonate portfolio.
Processability:
Consistent and efficient processing.
Sterilizable:
Supports sterilization methods most prevalent in the healthcare industry, including irradiation, autoclave and hot air.
Low carbon footprint:
Can enable circular business models by supporting closed- and open-loop recycling as well as the possibility of attributed bio-circular content.
Biocompatible:
Biocompatibility testing according to ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI for contact of 30 days or less.
Transparency:
Produces transparent parts with high optical clarity.