A look is taken at the market for medical plastics, recent developments in polymers and packaging films for the medical industry and some award-winning designs of medical devices. Some of the polymers and devices mentioned include PEEK for implants and coatings, medical-grade PU elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoformed PU medical balloons, antibacterial polymers, engineering plastics, a portable, automated blood collection system and an electrocardiogram monitoring system. A list of contacts is included

Recent developments in granulators for scrap reclamation, water cooling systems, thermoforming automation and motor control systems for injection moulding machines are highlighted and the financial benefits offered by these systems are considered. Tables are included showing the calculated payback period for a closed loop granulator for injection moulding scrap, costs for recycling, comparative running costs of water cooling towers versus dry air coolers and reduction of water chiller costs by augmenting a chiller with a dry air cooler.

The development of a mathematical model for the simulation of the transverse viscoelastic behaviour in thermoforming of a thin, isotropic, and incompressible thermoplastic membrane reinforced with long fibres using a dynamic finite element method based on the total Lagrangian formulation is described. Validation of the model by comparing the theoretical solution for the uniaxial and equibiaxial Hencky deformation with numerical results is discussed. 24 refs.

CAMPUS datasheet for ALTUGLAS V 825 T. This exhibits an excellent balance of properties including superior thermal resistance with an easy processing behaviour . Ideal for automotive applications, e.g.: tail lamp , signal lenses , light guides and cluster lenses . The ALTUGLAS V 825 T LI version was developed in order to improve processing and easy demoulding. ALTUGLAS V 825 T FGL is designed for food contact applications.. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for ALTUGLAS V 920 T. This is an injection moulding grade with an improved thermal resistance without any adverse effect on mechanical and optical properties . The processing remains easy due to good flow behaviour. Can be injection moulded with any type of machine to produce any type of technical part. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for ALTUGLAS VM. This is an injection moulding grade with a medium heat resistance and easy flow . ALTUGLAS VM is particularly suitable to improve mould filling of technical parts . The VM L version has been specially designed for injection moulding of thick parts in the cosmetic industry e.g.: jars , caps , etc. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a PMMA. The outstanding flow of Altuglas VS-UVT makes it the material of choice for injection moulding of parts with thin wall thickness. The ultraviolet transmitting ( UVT) formulation is developed to meet the specific requirement of medical diagnostic components . ALTUGLAS VS-UVT is FDA approved . This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a PVDF (fluorinated thermoplastic homopolymer). Some characteristics are: chemical resistance, imperviousness to UV, high barrier properties, high purity, good mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Main applications: corrosion protection in the chemical industry, coating (painting, coextrusion), offshore, wire and cable. Kynar 4000 HD is a grade of granules for extrusion of thin walled parts, film extrusion and injection moulding. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a PVDF (fluorinated thermoplastic homopolymers). Some characteristics are: chemical resistance, imperviousness to UV, high barrier properties, high purity, good mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Main applications: corrosion protection in the chemical industry, coating (painting, coextrusion), offshore, wire and cable. This is a standard grade of granules for injection moulding. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a PVDF (fluorinated thermoplastic homopolymers). Some characteristics are: chemical resistance, imperviousness to UV, high barrier properties, high purity, good mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Main applications: corrosion protection in the chemical industry, coating (painting, coextrusion), offshore, wire and cable. Kynar 720 is a standard grade of granules for injection moulding. This product is ANSI/NSF standard 61 certified. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a PVDF (fluorinated thermoplastic homopolymers). Some characteristics are: chemical resistance, imperviousness to UV, high barrier properties, high purity, good mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Main applications: corrosion protection in the chemical industry, coating (painting, coextrusion), offshore, wire and cable. Kynar 740 is a standard grade of granules for extrusion of tubes and plaques, compression and transfer moulding. This product is ANSI/NSF standard 61 certified. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a PVDF (fluorinated thermoplastic homopolymers). Some characteristics are: chemical resistance, imperviousness to UV, high barrier properties, high purity, good mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Main applications: corrosion protection in the chemical industry, coating (painting, coextrusion), offshore, wire and cable. This is a standard grade of granules for injection moulding of thin walled parts and multifilament extrusion. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a flexible polyamide alloy. Some characteristics are: processable on PE screws, low moisture absorption, chemical resistance (no known solvents), medium viscosity and stiffness. Specially suited to the extrusion of film, tube and hollow vessels. Also suited for injection moulding. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a flexible polyamide alloy. Some characteristics are: processability on PE screw, low moisture absorption, chemical resistance (no known solvents). Suitable for film, hollow vessel blow moulding and for injection moulding. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

CAMPUS datasheet for a flexible polyamide alloy. Some characteristics are: processability on PE screw, low moisture absorption, chemical resistance (no known solvents). Suited to the extrusion of tubes (hydraulic, pneumatic, painting ) and films. Injection moulding is also possible. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of packaging materials used for modified atmosphere packaging of chilled products varies extensively with temperature, relative humidity and material thickness after the thermoforming of packages. Two different polymer combinations were studied: APETP/PE (tray) and PA/PE (lid). A temperature reduction of 8C (in the interval 7-23C) caused an OTR reduction of 26-48% depending on material type, degree of thermoforming and RH. A 2-3-fold increase in OTR was observed for PA/PE film when measured at 100/100% RH compared to 0/100% RH, whereas the APETP/PE trays were not affected by RH. Increased OTR was observed as a result of material thinning. However, the increase was not always directly proportional to the degree of material thinning. Even very small amounts of oxygen have, in combination with light exposure, significant effects on oxidative quality deterioration of many products. Consequently, the changes in OTR observed in this study emphasise the necessity of evaluating the performance of packaging materials under realistic storage conditions, in order to estimate the real oxygen content of a chosen package solution. 27 refs.

Composite parts are decorated for a number of reasons. In most cases, the appearance of the part as it exits the mould lacks the desired surface smoothness, colour, texture and/or other desirable characteristics. While a post-mould coating can add value, improve aesthetics and extend the life of the part, it historically has added significant cost and an additional production step. Until recently, coating the part in the mould had significant limitations. In the past few years, however, several new options have emerged as practical alternatives to post-mould coating of composites, including for the first time, the possibility of giving a Class A surface to long fibre-reinforced thermoplastic materials. Other techniques include the co-moulding of thermoformed multilayer thermoplastic "skins", the application of paint to the mould surface prior to moulding and the application of a coating to a cured composite part while it is still in the mould.

NatureWorks claims its corn-based polymer now offers a cost saving for some applications that currently use PETP. The company says a recent 68% cut in PLA production costs, together with higher oil prices, meant the material has been competitive with PETP for several months now and will become competitive with PS within several years. The UK's first PLA bottle went on sale in July this year. Meanwhile, one of NatureWorks' biggest competitors, Stanelco, is understood to be developing a new starch-based polymer that promises to undercut PETP and PP prices, while offering a similar ease of processing in both bottle blowing and thermoforming processes.

General Motors is driving the use of exterior auto plastics using a film in place of a standard paint line, with parts launching on five vehicles, ranging from bumper fascia to rocker panels. GM has opted for a thick thermoformed sheet and intends to develop a supply base that can support even more production. GM first used a thermoformed sheet combining a TPO base with a body-colour film replacing paint on a stone shield on its SSR sports roadster truck. The thick-sheet thermoforming reduces the number of manufacturing steps, shortening development time while also cutting costs. The GM system takes advantage of films produced by Soliant that can match the full line of automotive paint colours.

Packaging materials and their properties, including PP, PETP, PVC, PS, nylon and polycarbonate, are discussed.