Expansion of the product portfolio for medical technology: New material solutions based on PA/ASA and PC/PBT

By expanding its portfolio with two advanced PA/ASA- and PC/PBT-based compounds, ROMIRA now offers even more powerful material solutions for demanding medical technology applications. Both compounds have been specifically engineered for use in areas where excellent mechanical properties and high resistance to cleaning agents and disinfectants are required.

Advanced PA/ASA and PC/PBT compounds for demanding medical technology applications

The performance requirements for plastics used in medical technology are becoming increasingly demanding. In addition to high mechanical strength and reliable flame-retardant performance, properties such as chemical resistance, dimensional stability and processing behavior are gaining growing importance.

With the addition of two newly developed PA/ASA and PC/PBT compounds, ROMIRA is expanding its portfolio with high-performance materials specifically designed for challenging medical technology applications. Both compounds have been engineered for use in applications where excellent mechanical properties, high-quality surfaces and superior resistance to cleaning agents and disinfectants are required.

PA/ASA: high dimensional stability combined with improved chemical resistance

The newly developed 15% glass-fiber-reinforced PA/ASA compound offers high stiffness and excellent dimensional stability. Compared with conventional PA-based systems, its reduced moisture absorption contributes to improved dimensional accuracy, particularly under changing environmental conditions.

A further key benefit is the halogen-free and PFAS-free flame-retardant formulation. This allows the material to meet current requirements for more sustainable material solutions while maintaining a high level of fire safety. With a UL 94 V-0 rating at 1.5 mm wall thickness, the compound is suitable for use in safety-relevant applications.

PC/PBT: enhanced processability and consistently high part quality

ROMIRA has also specifically modified its PC/PBT compound to further improve processing performance. The development focused on enhanced flow properties, improved mechanical performance and optimized processability. At the same time, color stability was improved, supporting greater process reliability and consistently high part quality in injection molding.

Key advantages of both compounds

Both new materials offer a balanced property profile for the demanding requirements of medical technology:

• excellent surface quality
• very good chemical resistance, particularly against cleaning agents and disinfectants
• excellent mechanical properties
• good processability and stable processing behavior, even with long flow paths and extended residence times
• halogen-free flame-retardant performance according to UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm
• good UV resistance
• high heat deflection temperature
• customer-specific pre-coloring available

Easy material conversion without new tooling

Another major advantage of these new developments is their processing compatibility. In many applications, both the PA/ASA and PC/PBT compounds can be used as high-performance alternatives to established ABS-FR and PC/ABS-FR materials.

Existing injection molds can generally continue to be used, enabling material conversions without cost-intensive tooling modifications. This offers medical device manufacturers attractive opportunities to improve existing products while maintaining efficient and economical production processes.

Typical applications

The new compounds are particularly suitable for technical components, housings and covers that are regularly exposed to cleaning and disinfection procedures. Typical fields of application include diagnostic devices, laboratory and hospital equipment, medical apparatus such as surgical lights, as well as many other components used in medical technology.

With these two newly developed compounds, ROMIRA is strategically expanding its portfolio with material solutions that meet the increasing requirements of the medical technology sector while enabling cost-effective integration into existing manufacturing processes.