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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:22
Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 28, 2015
Compatibility of Medical-Grade Polymers with Dense CO(2)
A Jiménez1, G L Thompson, M A Matthews
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208 USA.
The Journal of Supercritical Fluids
|September 17, 2009
Summary
Medical polymers show good tolerance to liquid carbon dioxide (CO(2)) exposure, with minimal changes in mechanical properties. This suggests CO(2) sterilization is a viable option for many plastic medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Liquid carbon dioxide (CO(2)) is being explored as an alternative sterilization method for medical devices.
- Understanding the compatibility of medical polymers with CO(2) is crucial for developing effective sterilization protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of liquid carbon dioxide exposure on the mechanical properties of various medical polymers.
- To assess the suitability of liquid CO(2) for sterilizing polymer-based medical materials.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen different medical polymers were exposed to liquid CO(2) at 6.5 MPa and ambient temperature.
- Tensile strength and modulus were measured before and after exposure.
- CO(2) uptake, swelling, and visual distortion were also observed.
Main Results:
- Amorphous polymers exhibited CO(2) uptake, swelling, and distortion.
- Highly crystalline polymers showed minimal effects from CO(2) exposure.
- Most polymers demonstrated good tolerance, with no statistically significant changes in tensile strength.
Conclusions:
- Medical polymers generally exhibit good tolerance to liquid CO(2) exposure.
- Polymer crystallinity influences susceptibility to CO(2) effects.
- Liquid CO(2) sterilization is a promising technology for a range of medical plastics.
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