Lubricity
Lubricity is a key requirement for medical devices as it impacts both the inner workings of the devices themselves as well as how they move within the body. The issue of lubricity can be addressed through material selection, additives and coatings.
Thermoplastic polymers exhibit a wide range of lubricities (coefficient of friction) so careful selection of the base polymer is essential. Whether you are looking for a custom polymer compound, tubing, or finished component, engineers throughout PolyMedex can assist you in selecting the best material for your application.
If other design constraints dictate the use of a polymer with less than ideal lubricity, it can be enhanced by blending the base polymer with lubricious additives such as PTFE. This approach impacts all surfaces of the final component.
If localized enhancement is desirable, lubricity of specific surfaces can be improved with the application of a hydrophilic coating. These coatings can be applied to the entire outer surface of a component or to specific regions using masked application.