Clear or opaque? Applying different grades of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester

Selecting the right material for your next medical device can be a complicated process. Whether you’re building a fluid management component, blood contact device, or electronic medical device housing, you’ll want to choose a polymer that has the right properties for your application.
 
Each medical grade of Eastman Tritan copolyester offers a different combination of superior strengths that help optimize performance for specific medical applications. Depending on the needs of your device, you may need a clear or opaque material.
 

Clear applications
If your device is clear, such as fluid management and IV components, renal devices, or dialyzer housings, you’ll need a material with the following properties:
 
  • Glasslike clarity for an unobstructed view of fluid levels, foreign substances, and the ability to detect air bubbles, clots, or blood leakage during treatment
  • Durability and toughness to withstand the applied stress of handling, connecting, and fabricating
  • Chemical resistance to endure aggressive cleaning and bonding agents as well as harsh drugs and their carriers
  • Color stability after sterilization
  • Biocompatibility with FDA/ISO 10993 and USP Class VI biological evaluation
  • Heat resistance
  • Specific rigidity requirements to comply with ISO 80369 (required in some connectors)
 
Eastman Tritan™ MX711, MX731, or MX811 copolyesters are clear material grades that meet these needs. They have high impact strength and toughness, excellent clarity, elevated chemical resistance, and good color stabilization upon sterilization.
 
Opaque applications
Opaque medical housings and hardware  require a different set of properties than clear applications. For an opaque application, you’ll need a material that can deliver:
  • Superior chemical resistance and impact strength to resist cracking, breaking, and premature device failure during rigorous daily use and disinfection
  • Ability to retain finish after repeated applications of bleach and alcohol
  • Color stability and matching of brand standards
  • Less noise in devices where sound reduction is valued
  • Processability—moldability and resistance to solvents 
  • Flame resistance
Eastman Tritan™ MX121 copolyester is an opaque material that can add value to opaque handheld or medical diagnostic and electronic devices. It has excellent inherent toughness and enhanced chemical resistance, hydrolytic stability, fast cycle and drying times, heat resistance, melt flowability, color matching ability, improved processability over traditional copolyesters, and is made without BPA, halogens, antimony, or ortho-phthalate plasticizers.
Find more information here about the advantages of Tritan for a wide range of medical applications. Eastman also provides technical expertise and support to help determine your best material option. Contact us for help bringing your product to market quickly and efficiently.