PVC Properties
PVC has made it possible
for healthcare professionals and patients to access a
wide range of healthcare applications with optimal
technical performance, safety, and comfort in use and
cost efficiency levels.
Safety
Over the years, the use of
PVC in healthcare applications has been proven to be
safe through pre-and post-marketing evaluation and
surveillance systems. PVC has made it possible for
patients and healthcare professionals to access a wide
range of medical applications with optimal technical
performance, safety and excellent comfort in use. PVC
is commonly used in a wide range of medical
applications for screening, diagnosis, treatment and
care, as well as in the creation of safe healthcare
environments.
Sterilis Ability
PVC has been crucial in
reducing and preventing healthcare acquired
infections. The absence of sources of infection is a
fundamental requirement in medical product
applications. PVC medical applications can be easily
sterilised using such methods as steam, radiation or
ethylene oxide, while keeping their key properties,
such as flexibility and resistance to tears, scratches
and kinks.
Chemical Stability
Materials used in medical applications must be capable
of accepting or conveying a variety of liquids without
themselves undergoing any significant changes in
composition or properties.
Biocompatibility
Whenever plastics are used in direct contact with the
patient’s tissue or blood, a high degree of
compatibility is essential between the tissue/blood
and the material. PVC is characterised by high
biocompatibility, and this can be increased further by
appropriate surface modification.
Clarity And Transparency
Because
of its physical properties, products made from PVC can
be formulated with excellent transparency to allow for
continual monitoring of fluid flow. If colour-coded
application is needed, virtually any colour can be
created.
Flexibility, Durability And Dependability
Not
only does PVC offer the flexibility necessary for
applications such as blood bags or intravenous (IV)
tubing, but it can also be relied upon for its
strength and durability, even under changing
temperatures and conditions. These properties are
essential to provide convenience in use by healthcare
professionals and performance thereby benefiting
patient comfort and quality hospital care. |
Compatibility
PVC is compatible with
virtually all pharmaceutical products in healthcare
facilities today. It also has excellent water and
chemical resistance, helping to keep solutions
sterile.
Resistance To
Chemical Stress cracking
PVC’s
resilience helps ensure that medical products function
consistently, for extended use, in demanding
applications. Ease of processing means that PVC can
easily be extruded to make IV tubing, thermoformed to
make “blister” packaging, or blow moulded to make
hollow rigid containers. This versatility is a major
reason why PVC is the material of choice for medical
product and packaging designers.
Low Cost
Since
the 1960’s, the use of PVC in healthcare applications
and in medical devices has played its part in allowing
the broader population access to safe, high-quality,
affordable healthcare, as well as supporting
governments in their efforts to ensure the smart use
of resources and innovative, quality and financially
sustainable healthcare systems.
PVC has very low
manufacturing costs and provides excellent durability
and long-lasting performance with low maintenance
costs.
Recyclability
PVC is
an extremely resource efficient material through its
entire life-cycle. It provides excellent durability
and long-lasting performance with low maintenance
costs. PVC waste is highly recyclable and can be
recovered as a valued raw material to make other
secondary products.
(Ref:
http://www.pvcmed.org/learningcentre/pvc-medical-applications/) |