34 HANDBOOK OF POLYMER APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE AND MEDICAL DEVICES

HDPE
3.3 Common Medical Device Density = 094-0.97 g/cm3
Polymers Melt point = 128–136°C

This section covers many of the common plastics

that are used in various medical devices. It is pri- MDPE
Density = 093-0.94 g/cm3
marily focused on the polymers and has a chemistry Melt point = 120–130°C
focus. Included for each polymer are chemical
structures, some sterilization guidance, and some VLDPE/LLDPE
Density = 090-0.93 g/cm3
example uses. Melt point = 100–130°C

3.3.1 Polyethylene
LDPE
Polyethylene can be made in a number of ways. Density = 0.915-0.935 g/cm3
The way it is produced can affect its physical prop- Melt point = 105–115°C

erties. It can also have very small amounts of

comonomers, which will alter its structure and
properties.
Figure 3.16 Graphical depictions of polyethylene
The basic types or classifications of polyethyl-
types.
ene, according the ASTM D1248, are:

• Ultra-low-density polyethylene (ULDPE),

polymers with densities ranging from 0.890 to
0.905 g/cm3, contains comonomer.
• Very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE),
polymers with densities ranging from 0.905 to
0.915 g/cm3, contains comonomer.
• Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE),
polymers with densities ranging from 0.915 to
0.935 g/cm3, contains comonomer.
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polymers
with densities ranging from about 0.915 to
0.935 g/m3.
• Medium density polyethylene (MDPE), poly-
mers with densities ranging from 0.926 to Figure 3.17 Graphical diagram of polyethylene
0.940 g/cm3, may or may not contain crystal structure.
comonomer.
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polymers
with densities ranging from 0.940 to 0.970 highly ordered areas in the shaded rectangles of
g/cm3, may or may not contain comonomer. Figure 3.17. A high degree of branching would
reduce the size of the crystalline regions, which
Figure 3.16 shows the differences graphically. leads to lower crystallinity.
The differences in the branches in terms of number Sterilization:
and length affect the density and melting points of The low heat deflection temperatures of polyethy-
some of the types. lene plastics (30 50°C) make them unsuitable for
Branching affects the crystallinity. A diagram of steam and autoclave sterilization. The plastics would
a representation of the crystal structure of polyeth- bend, warp, and deform under the temperatures
ylene is shown in Figure 3.17. One can imagine (100 130°C) used in these sterilization methods.
how branching in the polymer chain can disrupt the EtO, gamma radiation, and e-beam sterilization
crystalline regions. The crystalline regions are the methods are suitable.