Hello good people,
I’m designing some baby scales at the moment and we’re trying to get away from that dull yellowy-grey look that seems to be associated with any plastics which are good at biocompatability. Obviously strength and impact resistance are going to be important, but I wanted to find out more about how to achieve a brighter white, and why so many medical products fall short. Does this relys on the polymer or the pigmant?
Any pointers would be much appreciated!
Dan
What is “bio-compatibility”?
Are you referring to plastics which are not hazardous, or those that compost?
The biocompatibility of a plastic refers to how safe it is to be used in direct and prolonged contact with people. There’s various standards which decide levels of biocompatibility and medical companies get very paranoid about them, specifically ISO 10993.
Although the amount of time a baby will be in contact with the surface of a set of scales is well below the even the shorted period refered to in ISO 10993 (24 hours) current manufacturers still seem to end up with these nasty grey plastics, the only reason I can think of for this is… biocompatibility…
we’re trying to get away from that dull yellowy-grey look that seems to be associated with any plastics which are good at biocompatability.
Just a thought … other than the implied characteristic of “cleanliness”, why even use “white”?
White(s) seldom stays white…
Figure out what is the correct material for the performance needs of the product. Find materials suppliers who sell that resin. Get samples of bio-compatible white from them. Make sure your purchasing person specifies that specific resin and does not leave it open for switching to similar resins.
If being made in China and your company always asks for lowest cost: Expect to yell a lot when a cheap resin is switched. Don’t blame it on the Chinese, blame your companies cheap attitude.