02.06.15
Officials at Hudson, Mass.-based Boyd Coatings Research Co. Inc. claim to have developed an exclusive process enabling high-temperature fluoropolymer coatings such as unmodified polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to be applied to nitinol medical devices without adversely affecting the underlying nitinol material.
Typically, pure PTFE requires temperatures of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to cure. Because nitinol materials cannot tolerate temperatures beyond 500 degrees without suffering adverse reactions, PTFE previously was applied using hybrid forms where a resin binder was added and it was the binder that cured at lower temperatures. This lower temperature binder was used to hold the PTFE in a matrix to preserve the characteristics of the nitinol material, according to Boyd. Unfortunately, PTFE hybrids produce higher coefficients of friction, thus diminishing one of the most important characteristics that makes PTFE coating desirable. For example, the “slippery,” non-stick qualities of PTFE on a nitinol medical device can be very significant toward that device’s success.
“We’ve developed a new process that allows us to apply high-temperature-curing fluoropolymer coatings, such as PTFE, to nitinol in their pure form,” explained Don Garcia, director of research and development for Boyd Coatings. “Hybrid forms of PTFE with resin binders are no longer needed to keep below the nitinol transition temperature. Being able to use the pure form of PTFE on nitinol is a major technical development for manufacturers of nitinol devices.”
Recently, the company also announced the availability of PTFE in six standard colors, as well as customized colors for use on medical products. Prime examples of medical devices using colored PTFE include guidewires, mandrels and hypotubes. According to Garcia, these PTFE colors also are able to be applied to nitinol.
Boyd Coatings applies high performance coatings, specializing in the medical, industrial and aerospace markets using either off-the-shelf or custom-developed coatings.
Typically, pure PTFE requires temperatures of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to cure. Because nitinol materials cannot tolerate temperatures beyond 500 degrees without suffering adverse reactions, PTFE previously was applied using hybrid forms where a resin binder was added and it was the binder that cured at lower temperatures. This lower temperature binder was used to hold the PTFE in a matrix to preserve the characteristics of the nitinol material, according to Boyd. Unfortunately, PTFE hybrids produce higher coefficients of friction, thus diminishing one of the most important characteristics that makes PTFE coating desirable. For example, the “slippery,” non-stick qualities of PTFE on a nitinol medical device can be very significant toward that device’s success.
“We’ve developed a new process that allows us to apply high-temperature-curing fluoropolymer coatings, such as PTFE, to nitinol in their pure form,” explained Don Garcia, director of research and development for Boyd Coatings. “Hybrid forms of PTFE with resin binders are no longer needed to keep below the nitinol transition temperature. Being able to use the pure form of PTFE on nitinol is a major technical development for manufacturers of nitinol devices.”
Recently, the company also announced the availability of PTFE in six standard colors, as well as customized colors for use on medical products. Prime examples of medical devices using colored PTFE include guidewires, mandrels and hypotubes. According to Garcia, these PTFE colors also are able to be applied to nitinol.
Boyd Coatings applies high performance coatings, specializing in the medical, industrial and aerospace markets using either off-the-shelf or custom-developed coatings.