Reinventing laboratory equipment with TPEs

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are increasingly used for the development of safe and efficient laboratory equipment to improve detection, evaluation, and response, either at home or in a clinical setting.

KRAIBURG TPE, the recognized global TPE manufacturer offers its THERMOLAST® H TPE series of compounds for a variety medical and healthcare applications.

The compounds meet the performance and structural criteria for clinical laboratory equipment and components. These include buttons, handles, droppers, valves, pipettes, test tube racks, stoppers, flexible connections, closures and gaskets.

Better structural properties and performance with TPEs

THERMOLAST® H TPE series of compounds exhibit flexibility, durability, and a soft and velvety surface in respective applications. These compounds, available in a variety of pre-coloration options, have a wide processing window and can be processed via injection molding and extrusion.

Furthermore, KRAIBURG TPE is able to customize the compounds to suit the customers’ needs to fulfill medical regulations for specific clinical laboratory equipment and applications.

Solutions for versatility and safety

The THERMOLAST® H series of compounds are sterilizable with an autoclave at 121°C and also through the EtO process. It is also free of hazardous substances such as latex, PVC, heavy metals, and phthalates, resulting in high-quality material solutions that meet Cytotoxicity, GB/T 16886.5, ISO10993-5, as well as various global food contact and relevant medical standards.

The series’ compounds also meet food-grade standards such as the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, the US Food and Drug Administration's Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 (21CFR), and China's GB (GuoBiao) standards.

Additionally, the series of compounds feature excellent properties such as adhesion to PP, soft touch surface, chemical abrasion, compression set and haptics etc., allowing for product design flexibility.