UV curing has gained a reputation for guaranteeing high speed, consistent and reliable manufacturing, which makes it the ideal process for producing medical devices. In recent years, the materials used for these devices have demanded processes that do not create thermal stress in the articles (primarily due to the advent of disposable products). UV curing is also known as “cold” processing, as it does not reach temperatures which could degrade plastics.
Great importance has also been attributed to the development of products to be cross-linked with this technology, such as PSAs (Pressure Sensitive Adhesives) on transdermal treatments and UV adhesives for medical products such as syringes, draining tubes, dialysis and endoscopy machines, filters, angioplasty accessories and hearing aids.
Functional UV coatings are employed for products such as catheters, flow regulators, transdermal treatment systems and blood test strips. These coatings result in enhanced biocompatibility, faster sterilisation processes and considerable increases in chemical and mechanical resistance. Finally, when used to print or decorate small items such as syringes or catheters the application of UV inks creates an extremely durable and resistant print.