Over the years, PTFE coating options have grown in the medical device market, improving production processes in many different ways. And with so many materials and coating options available today, choosing the right coated mandrel for your unique manufacturing needs can seem particularly daunting. Therefore, here are five factors to consider when choosing a coated mandrel to make your decision easier.
1. Think backward
Firstly, consider what the main objective of the end-use application and equipment is. Whether you are building an advanced conveying system with multiple lumens or extruding on a multi-tapered mandrel. Understanding how the end product will be used will help you to identify the key characteristics required for coated mandrels.
2. Make a list
Write down all the types and hardnesses of polymers required to meet proximal and distal shaft performance requirements, such as kink resistance and maneuverability. It is also important to understand how the operating temperature of the reflow process affects each polymer. For example, some PTFE coatings can withstand a continuous temperature of 550°F and can withstand a temperature range of 700°F.
3. Test your options
Now that you have determined the temperature range you can use, you need to consider which mandrel base material to use. While there are material cost savings to be made when considering one material over another, you must consider the material properties and advantages that each mandrel material offers in the production process. It can be helpful to look for suppliers who can offer a wide range of coated arbor substrates such as stainless steel, Nitinol, and silver-plated copper. You can then test each mandrel material to determine the best one for your application and budget. The best way to make this decision is to test your options.
4. Determine lubricity requirements
Determining the lubricity requirements will help ensure that the coating process achieves a longer mandrel life during manufacture. The pulling wires and guidewires used in interventional procedures must pass seamlessly through the inner diameter of the catheter, so a high-quality lubricating coating such as PTFE material must be used. other variants of PTFE fluoropolymer coatings, such as PTFE Natural, can provide performance benefits. For example, a coefficient of friction of 0.05 is achieved to simplify catheter removal during fuse welding and pouring operations.
5. Key coating properties to look for
Finally, whether you are designing a pull line or a conveyor system, always look for a quality-coated mandrel with a uniform, precise, non-flaking surface.
As complexity increases and product size decreases, lubricious coatings such as PTFE material become increasingly important to the catheter manufacturing process. Durability is also essential to ensure the safety and performance of any component included in the final equipment.
Post time: Dec-14-2022