Plastomer Modified Polypropylene Films for Medical Product Packaging, 1997 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings
Despite the rapid growth of polypropylene as a material of construction for radiation-sterilized medical devices, polypropylene films have not achieved similar use in packaging either devices or medical solutions. The high ratio of film surface area to mass, combined with the sensitivity of irradiated polypropylene to oxygen-promoted degradation, causes them to be severely embrittled after normal sterilizing doses of radiation. Even resin formulations which yield highly radiation resistant injection molded devices are badly degraded after irradiation in thin film form. We have demonstrated, however, that blends of Exact® ethylene plastomers with propylene homopolymers successfully withstand y-radiation doses in excess of 50 kGy. It is now possible to produce polypropylene film which can be usefully applied to the packaging of radiation-sterilized medical devices.
Plastomer Modified Polypropylene Films for Medical Product Packaging, 1997 Polymers, Laminations & C