Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have been used in in orthopedic equipment due to the material’s functionality, durability and exclusive material properties. For this reason, KRAIBURG TPE’s innovative THERMOLAST® H HC/AP compound series offers the ideal material solution for various orthopedic equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, knee joint braces, orthopedic walking boots and lumbar supports. 

Apart from critical factors such as performance, weight, and properties - TPEs are also the choice material for many medical applications because of their high degree of purity (low level of extractable compounds), recyclability and cost-effectiveness. For medical equipment designers and manufacturers, the THERMOLAST® H HC/AP compound series offers many advantages, such as:

• Focused for Asia Pacific’s medical needs 
  KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® H series of compounds have been exclusively designed for the Asia Pacific healthcare and medical devices market.

• Compliance to many international standards 
  Their high-quality material solutions comply with various international standards, such as Cytotoxicity ISO 10993-5, GB/T 16886.5, as well as EU No. 10/2011, GB4806, FDA CFR 21, REACH and RoHS. 

• Excellent properties
  Amongst its advantages, THERMOLAST® H offers good adhesion to PP. It also provides excellent haptics with a soft touch surface feel, which are ideal for applications such as handles for crutches, wheelchairs as well as inner padding for knee joint brace and ankle brace.

• Easy-processing and sterilizable TPE in medical devices
  KRAIBURG TPE, which specializes in the manufacture of application-specific custom-formulated TPE materials for injection molding and extrusion processes, also ensures that orthopedic equipment is safe for use and meets hygiene standards. Thus, the THERMOLAST® H compounds are sterilizable by autoclave 121°C and EtO. 

• Free from animal and harmful ingredients 
  The compounds, which are free from animal ingredients, can replace the use of latex and PVC materials, since latex can cause allergic reactions.

• Excellent adhesion and sealing 
  KRAIBURG TPE’s compounds are cost-effective and offer excellent sealing and adhesion performance.

• Color and design flexibility
  The THERMOLAST® H is offered as translucent and in-house precoloring is also possible, subject to specific project requirements. Orthopedic equipment product designers will find this It compound series advantageous because of its design flexibility and application possibilities.

Sustainability successes of our TPE
Besides the materials for orthopedic equipment, KRAIBURG TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a specially developed material solution for automotive, consumer, and industry applications comprising post-consumer recycled (PCR) and post-industrial recycled (PIR) content. 

Are you looking for a sustainable TPE solution? Talk to us! 

Our experts are happy to answer any questions you have, as well as to offer the right solution for your application.