Polyone Corporation

Avient Corporation

Jing Liu

Jiannong Xu

Qing Ge

Rahul Bhardwaj

Jack Frautschi

Lubricious thermoplastic articles are formed from thermoplastic compounds including (a) thermoplastic elastomer selected from thermoplastic polyurethane, polyether block amide, and combinations thereof; and (b) from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, by weight of the compound, of hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer selected from polyolefin-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof. The thermoplastic compounds are capable of providing enhanced lubricity in the thermoplastic articles without significant degradation in mechanical properties such as elongation and tensile strength, as compared to thermoplastic articles formed from the neat thermoplastic elastomer and subjected to the same heat processing history.

Lubricious thermoplastic compounds and thermoplastic articles made therefrom

A radiopaque, optically translucent thermoplastic polyurethane compound is disclosed. The use of nano-sized particles of barium sulfate optionally in combination with a minor amount of certain dispersion aids allows the barium sulfate to be sufficiently dispersed within the thermoplastic polyurethane to retain optical translucency according to a defined Haze Determination Test. Medical devices, needing both visual spectrum observation before and during in-vivo medical use and radiopacity monitoring during in-vivo medical use, benefit from this compound. Optionally, a surface enhancer can also be used.

Radiopaque, optically translucent thermoplastic compounds

A compound suitable for hydroclaving is disclosed, comprising polyester, polysulfone, and an epoxy-functional styrene-acrylate oligomer. In order for successful repetitious hydroclaving to be possible, the compound must also have a polysulfone content of greater than 45 weight percent of the compound.

Polyester compounds suitable for hydroclaving

Significant disadvantages of the use of polylactic acid (PLA), lack of good heat stability and flame retardance, have been overcome by the use of resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) in combination with talc. The compound achieves a threshold of 65&#xb0; C. in heat deflection temperature and V-0 flame retardance at 1.6 mm thickness.

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Avon, OH, United States of America

Jing Liu