A New Transparent Specialty Co-polycarbonate With Excellent Oxygen and Water Vapor Barrier Properties

Andre van Zyl 

SABIC Innovative Plastics
Plasticlaan 1, NL-4600 AC Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 164 291 057   Fax: +31 164 291 686
Email: andre.vanzyl@sabic-ip.com

Biography

André van Zyl obtained a PhD (Polymer Science) at the Institute for Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2003.  Following his studies he worked as product developer for Accent Manufacturing Pty Ltd developing a non-stain pressure sensitive adhesive for the global consumer market.  In 2006 he joined SABIC Innovative Plastics (SABIC-IP, formerly GE Plastics) as product specialist in the Lexan* Technology group working specifically on Lexan* DMX resins.

Company Profile

SABIC-IP is a division of SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) and is a global manufacturer of engineering thermoplastic resins with more than 75 years of success and a legacy that has defined the industry from the beginning. 

Today, SABIC Innovative Plastics is a world leader in providing engineering thermoplastic material solutions and a global engineering and development leader with unmatched capabilities to develop and validate new concepts that will help our customers grow their businesses now and in the future. 

Abstract

In recent years more emphasis have been placed on barrier properties of medical packaging and containers. 

Certain processes require increased resistance to oxygen and/or water vapor migration; hence new application specific requirements were introduced.  Additionally, materials need to be versatile, easy to handle, printable, lightweight, tough, and often transparent, thus making polycarbonates likely candidates of choice. 

Unfortunately standard polycarbonate does not have the required ability to restrict movement of gases, liquids and vapors. 

By introducing Lexan* DMX resin into the Lexan* specialty portfolio, a copolycarbonate is available offering tailored properties, including improved barrier and ammonia resistance properties.  A copolycarbonate allows material properties to be manipulated, yet still retaining the permanence of the constituting ingredients, which of course is very important in the medical industry.  Moreover, this technology allows better scratch related properties when compared to standard polycarbonates and therefore facilitates a broad range of new applications to be explored. 

This presentation will provide a brief outline of Lexan* specialty resins, the importance of structure/property relations and properties specific to the medical industry.

*Lexan is a registered trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.