E-BEAM News

Plastic Products Transformed By Non-Chemical E-BEAM Crosslinking Replace PVC and Plasticizers in the Production of High Performance Medical Devices

Cranbury, NJ: A non-chemical polymer crosslinking process provided by E-BEAM SERVICES, Inc. transforms ordinary molded plastics formed from standard resins (such as polyethylene) into medical-grade products that exhibit high performance thermoset qualities in a non-toxic,100% pure polymer alternative to medical grade PVC.

Recent studies regarding the toxicity of DEHP plasticizer and the dispersion of dioxins in PVC have raised serious questions that make the non-chemical electron-beam crosslinking agent an attractive alternative for replacing PVC in medical device applications.

One of the problems with PVC, is that the DEHP plasticizer is not covalently bound to the PVC structure, and therefore can migrate from the PVC product, causing contamination of materials that are in contact with the PVC.

As an alternative, medical device manufacturers can simply and economically mold products using standard resins, without altering either design or resin selection. The post-molded products are then crosslinked by E-BEAM Services, Inc. in a fast turnaround operation that does not alter shape, color, or dimensions. Tests conducted at the University of Michigan have shown that crosslinking of polymers provides better life cycle economics than PVC, and offer reduced permeability. Sterilization of products is performed at the required temperature of 121º C.

Plastic crosslinking, which eliminate the use of toxic plasticizers, concurrently eliminates the threat of contamination from materials of use. E-BEAM Services Inc. can crosslink medical IV bags or tubing fabricated from standard polyethylene resin to provide a stronger, tear-resistant non-PVC fluid containment product.