The Plastic Injection Molding Needed for the Life Sciences Industry

In the science market, plastic injection molding manufacturers adhere to high quality standards, from prototyping and mold creation to parts production. Nowhere is this more true than in the life sciences industry. When plastic components can affect production, patients, and biological processes alike, then material quality, precision, and even traceability are key areas of focus. Learn what you’ll need from your manufacturer to get the best products for the life sciences industry.

Plastic Selection for the Life Sciences Industry

Selecting the right polymer for your parts is a vital part of the manufacturing process. Life sciences can involve reactive, corrosive, and delicate molecules, and equipment must be ready for them. Looking at chemical-resistant and engineering-grade plastics is a good place to start.

A common selection for both the life sciences and medical industries is fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers, specifically thermoplastics, are appropriate for difficult and demanding product storage because they can store delicate molecules and aggressive chemical compounds. Some examples include:

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Commonly known as “Teflon,” PTFE resists heat and weathering. It’s one of the most commonly used fluoropolymers because of its advantageous properties.
• PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy): PFA was developed to achieve a truly melt-processable fluoropolymer. It has excellent electrical properties, with dielectric strength three to four times higher than PTFE.
• FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene): FEP is very similar in composition to PTFE and PFA. FEP and PFA share PTFE’s low-friction and chemical inertness properties. FEP is entirely transparent, and any surface it covers will remain the same color.

Learn more in our article, Injection Molded Fluoropolymers for Medical & Life-Science Market.

Quality Control & Prototyping for Life Sciences Manufacturing

Life sciences demand both high-precision instruments and consistent tools, so quality assurance (QA) is a key factor in producing parts for them. From pharmaceutical to ecological applications, life sciences devices require robust parts and tight tolerances. Combining QA with part prototyping assures that you’re setting your parts up for success by working with your manufacturer early in the process to produce parts that won’t fail, with the quality control to back that statement.

Overlap with Medical Industry: Biocompatibility & Traceability

The medical and life sciences industries overlap significantly, with high standards such as ISO and strict requirements. Two key features to consider when working with a manufacturer are their capacity for biocompatibility and traceability in parts production.

• Biocompatibility: Many devices in the medical and life sciences field will come into contact with living things, from single-celled organisms to humans. Biocompatibility is about choosing the right plastics for the right situation, from contact to full implantation. Many will need to follow ISO standards, such as ISO 10993.
• Traceability: This involves additional steps and safeguards that mitigate liability, uncover where issues originated, and identify the affected products. Should traceability reveal a problem with a part, manufacturers can quickly shut down production and recall the parts. Learn more here.

Achieving better plastic injection molding parts for the life sciences industry relies heavily on you choosing the right manufacturer. Entrusting your project to a turnkey manufacturer who oversees every stage of the injection molding process can ensure you’re receiving high-quality parts for your life science devices. At Midstate Mold, our expert engineers can handle prototyping, full production, and perform in-depth quality control to ensure your parts meet and exceed industry standards. If you need an experienced manufacturer for your next project, contact us today.