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INDUSTRY NEWS

A new grade of polyarylamide from Solvay Advanced Polymers offers high strength and a naturally reflective surface finish.

High-performance plastics manufacturer Solvay Advanced Polymers (Brussels) has debuted a new polyarylamide resin that maintains its mechan­ical and chemical resistance after gamma sterilization. The compound is aimed at medical device manufacturers serving the needs of hospitals and healthcare networks. Unlike plastics such as polycarbonate blended with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, the biocompatible compound can be used in single-use instruments to minimize the transfer of infections.

The material is 50% glass reinforced and offers high strength and rigidity with a smooth surface finish. “Our new grade not only delivers a surface finish on par with painted metal, but also maintains the stiffness, strength, and chemical resistance necessary for medical instruments and devices,” says Shawn Shorrock, healthcare global market manager for the company. Available in eight stock colours, the plastic is part of Solvay’s Ixef plastics line and is particularly suited for replacing metals such as stainless steel and titanium in a range of medical products, according to the company.

For more information, contact Solvay Advanced Polymers, Rue du Prince Albert, 33, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; phone: +32 2509 6111; fax: +32 2509 6617; Internet: advanced-polymers.de@solvay.com; Internet: www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.