New Polycarbonate Grades Reduce Friction, Improve Wear Resistance in Drug-Delivery Devices

New low-friction and glass-filled polycarbonates from Covestro are suited for applications in which plastic parts slide against one another. They notably enable smooth, reliable, and durable movement without lubricants in drug-delivery devices. Covestro will showcase the new products during a customer webinar on March 30, 2021.

The new low-friction, wear-resistant polycarbonates Makrolon M204 LF, Makrolon M402 LF, and Makrolon M404 LF ensure that injections proceed smoothly and reliably. The low-friction plastics also feature high dimensional stability and are superior in this respect to the competing material polyoxymethylene (POM), according to Covestro. The materials comply with the ISO 10993-1 biocompatibility standard and withstand most sterilization methods.

Covestro also has introduced glass-filled polycarbonates that deliver maximum strength and durability in surgical instruments and drug-delivery devices. They are suited for the load-bearing interior parts of self-medication devices, particularly those with viscous or high-volume medicines. Single-use sterile instruments are a current trend in surgery for reducing the risk of infection. In addition, a solid thermoplastic polymer can be more efficient than a metal material, said Covestro.

Two series with different strength levels are available. The high-performance series includes the polycarbonates Makrolon M810 GF, Makrolon M820 GF, and Makrolon M830 GF. The high-flow series includes the polycarbonates Makrolon M410 GF, Makrolon M420 GF, and Makrolon M430 GF. The latter are used for filling larger or thinner parts with improved productivity. All types are dimensionally stable and biocompatible according to ISO 10993-1.

Compared with glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide, glass-fiber filled polycarbonates exhibit a better combination of different properties when used for drug-delivery devices and surgical instruments, according to Covestro. This improves their resistance to humidity and temperature fluctuations as well as their mechanical properties. Aided by a special process called Rapid Heat Cycle Molding, parts that require particularly glossy or smooth surfaces can be produced from the Makrolon GF types.