Flexible nylon suitable for medical products

Foster Corp?s Fostalon 5000 flexible nylon compounds have the ability to fill a void in the flexural modulus data between 80,000 and 120,000 psi, while also ensuring dimensional stability with minimal shrinkage. They are suited for molding a variety of medical products, including hubs, luer fittings, and other devices. The nylons absorb less moisture than urethanes and other nylons, making them less susceptible to hydrolytic degradation; they have easy, consistent processibility and physical property values; and they can accept standard marking and imprinting inks.

Three grades are available in the series, which is the first off-the-shelf offering from Foster: the 5400, 5600, and the 30 percent barium sulfate 5630 BA. The 5400 grade features a flexural modulus of 185,000 psi, a tensile strength at break of 7500 psi, a specific gravity of 1.03 g/cu cm, and a melting point of 354F. The 5600 grade features a flexural modulus of 205,000 psi, a tensile strength at break of 7800 psi, a specific gravity of 1.04 g/cu cm, and a melting point of 358F. And the 5630 BA grade has a flexural modulus of 255,000 psi, a tensile strength at break of 6625 psi, a specific gravity of 1.36 g/cu cm, and a melting point of 358F.

For quantities of 2000 lb, the 5400 grade costs $15.84/lb, the 5600 grade costs $14.52/lb, and the 5630 BA grade costs $13.41/lb. Lubricated resins (based on PTFE, silicone, and other Fostalube technology) are available.