Bayer MaterialScience, one of North America’s producers of polymers and high-performance plastics, has offered a range of antimicrobial plastic grades for medical applications.
US hospitals look for innovative technology that can control the infections, a growing issue in the country. The antimicrobial plastics from Bayer can help manufacturers to prevent bacterial growth and enhance protection in medical devices. The materials are suitable for applications in IV access systems, surgical instruments and drug delivery devices. The company’s portfolios include one antimicrobial polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) grade, Bayblend PC/ABS AM 120 FR, and three antimicrobial polycarbonate grades: Makrolon AM1825, Makrolon AM2428 and Makrolon AM2520.
Makrolon AM1825 is a high-viscosity, radiation-stabilized and lipid-resistant thermoplastic material that is suitable for transparent medical device applications. The radiation-stabilization technology of the grade decreases discoloration resulting from gamma or e-beam radiation. Makrolon AM2428 is a high-performance antimicrobial plastic and it includes an internal mold release agent. Another antimicrobial polycarbonate grade from Bayer’s portfolio, Makrolon AM2520, delivers a correct balance between processibility, impact resistance and mechanical strength. Similar to Makrolon AM1825 grade, this material is also radiation stabilized. Certain color formulations of all the three polycarbonate grades meet the specifications of USP Class VI and ISO 10993 for Part 1 “Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices.”
Bayblend PC/ABS AM 120 FR blend provides an opaque finish and flame-retardant properties to medical equipment and devices. All the antimicrobial grades are primarily processed by injection molding and manufactured in pellet form.