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

Product (brand)

 

Radiation

 

Biocompatibility

 

Continuous temperature

 

Applications

 
PEEK
(Victrex® 450G, KetaSpire® KT820)
 

Up to 100 kGy

 

ISO 10993 / USP VI

 

250°C

 

Implants, surgical devices, nuclear

 
PI
(Vespel® SCP-5000)
 

Very good

 

Good

 

320°C

 

Space, radioactive components

 
PPSU / PSU
 

Good

 

Steam/gamma sterilization

 

160-180°C

 

Medical trays, endoscopes

 
PTFE
(Teflon® FEP-9302)
 

Non-ionizing radiation

 

Inert

 

200°C

 

Insulators, bio-inert membranes

 
PVDF
(Kynar® 1000 HD)
 

UV/gamma

 

Very good

 

140°C

 

Pharma devices, filtration

 
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Advantages of HPP vs. standard plastics and metals

Material

 

Features

 

Classic plastics

 
❌Poor radiation resistance
❌Fragilization, yellowing, long-term non-compliance
 

Metals

 
⚠️Resistant to sterilization, but :
  • Corrosive
  • Radio-opacifiers
  • Heavy and costly
 

HPP

 
✅Compatible with all sterilization methods
✅Biologicaland chemical stability
✅Excellent radiation resistance
 
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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.