Sterilization capabilities are an important consideration for the selection of polymeric adhesives, sealants and potting compounds for use in medical applications. Master Bond manufactures a number of adhesives, sealants, coatings, and potting and encapsulation compounds for use in the assembly of medical devices. These products retain their desirable performance upon exposure to various sterilization procedures. Many products withstand single as well as multiple sterilization cycles and are designed for both disposable and reusable medical devices.
Many of Master Bond’s sterilization-resistant adhesives are USP Class VI certified and are designed to adhere well to a wide range of substrates, including metals, glass, ceramics, and most plastics. These user-friendly products can be cured at ambient temperatures, elevated temperatures, or by exposure to UV light.
Adhesives, Sealants and Coatings with Outstanding Sterilization Resistance
Grades are available that resist the following sterilization methods:
- Steam autoclave
- Ethylene oxide (ETO)
- Gamma radiation
- Electron beam
- Hydrogen preoxide
- Cold chemical sterilants
The most widely employed sterilization methods for medical devices are autoclaving, radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma or corona discharge, and liquid sterilants. Epoxy polymers are among the most widely employed adhesives, sealants and potting compounds for repeated sterilization such as autoclaving and liquid sterilization. For disposable devices, the more common sterilization techniques are ETO, gamma radiation or liquid sterilization.
Basic Properties
Master Bond will formulate a sterilization-resistant product to meet specific design requirements. Some properties of Master Bond’s products include:
- Chemical resistance
- Serviceability in extreme temperatures
- Low shrinkage
- Electrical insulation
- USP Class VI specifications for biocompatibility
- Electrical conductivity
- Fast cures
- Excellent gap filling properties
- High bond strength
- Easily automated
Major Applications
Master Bond’s sterilization-resistant systems can be applied as adhesives, sealants, and coatings for a variety of medical devices. Specific applications include:
- Surgical instruments,
- Medical valves, pumps, and motors
- Catheters
- Tubing assemblies
- Scalpels, syringes, and needles
- Endoscopes
- Housing Assemblies
Popular Sterilization Resistant Systems
Some popular sterilization resistant systems are tabulated as follows:
| Product |
Description |
| UV18Med |
High strength, flexible UV curable compound. Outstanding water and chemical resistance. Fast curing. USP Class VI approved. |
| EP41SMed |
Two part, low viscosity epoxy offers fast set-up time. Exceptionally low shrinkage upon cure. Meets USP Class VI specifications. Exceptional electrical insulation properties. |
| EP62-1Med |
High temperature resistant, two component epoxy system. USP Class VI approved. Long working life. Resistant to repeated cycles of sterilization. |
| EP42HT-2Med |
Heat resistant epoxy adhesive/sealant/coating/casting system. Resists multiple cycles of ETO, radiation, chemicals and steam. Castable to thicknesses exceeding 2-3 inches. Solvent-free. |
Packaging
We offer a wide array of packaging options to speed productivity, minimize waste and save energy including,
- Quantities from grams to gallons
- Cans, bottles and jars
- Cartridges for manual and pneumatic guns
- Premixed and frozen syringes
- Bipaks for field service kits
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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Master Bond Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Master Bond Inc.