Biocompatibility and radiation resistance
Biocompatible and Radiostable Polymers: The Answer to Critical Environments
In demanding sectors such as medical, nuclear and aerospace, biological compatibility and radiation resistance are major challenges. Unlike standard plastics or metals, high-performance polymers (HPPs) offer a unique combination of biocompatibility, chemical inertness, sterilizability and mechanical stability under irradiation.
Why opt for HPP in irradiated or medical environments?
The constraints imposed in these extreme environments include :
- Frequent sterilization (gamma, steam, ETO, beta)
- Prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation (X, gamma, UV)
- Contact with human tissue or biological fluids
- Retention of properties after irradiation
HPP remains stable where conventional materials yellow, degrade or lose their mechanical properties.
Comparison of HPP polymers recommended by DEMGY
Advantages of HPP vs. standard plastics and metals
Typical applications for biocompatible HPPs
Medical sector
- Prostheses, spinal implants
- Reusable surgical instruments
- PEEK: the benchmark for radiolucency and equivalent bone rigidity
Pharmaceuticals & Laboratory
- Sterile tubing, filtration membranes
- PVDF & PTFE: optimum chemical inertness
Nuclear & space
- Irradiated components, light shielding
- Vespel®-type polyimides: extreme stability under neutron flux
DEMGY, your certified HPP partner
Materials expertise
- Validated polymers ISO 10993, USP VI, FDA
- Advice on sterilization and radiation constraints
Precision processing
- Machining and injection molding of medical devices
- Additive manufacturing for functional prototypes
Quality & traceability
- Complete technical files
- Irradiation tests, dimensional and biological monitoring
Conclusion
Thanks to their biocompatibility, chemical stability and exceptional resistance to radiation, HPPs are the reference choice for demanding environments. DEMGY supports you from material selection to final processing, with a high level of certified expertise.