Electron Beam Material Compatibility
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Radiation Material Compatibility Search
This table provides a quick summary into how different materials respond to radiation exposure, including Gamma, E-Beam, and X-ray. E-Beam is the gentlest sterilization modality.
Source: AAMI TIR 17: Compatibility of materials subject to sterilization, Material datasheets
| Material | Single use (<50 kGy) (★) = poor (★★) = fair (★★★) = good (★★★★) = excellent | Practical Applications | Resterilization (<100 kGy) (NL) = not likely (L) = likely | Comments on irradiation performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | ||||
| Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) | ★★★ | A harder plastic commonly used in housings, enclosures, ortho supports, etc. | L | High-impact grades are not as radiation resistant as standard impact grades because of the higher butadiene content. |
| Fluoropolymers | ||||
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | ★ | Used in catheters, vascular grafts, and surgical meshes due to its biocompatibility, low friction, and chemical resistance. The presence of PTFE does not always mean a device is not radiation compatible, but it may be challenging to qualify at higher doses. Next-generation, high surface lubricity (and non-PFAS) coatings are emerging as alternatives. | NL | When irradiated, PTFE and PFA can be significantly damaged. The other fluoropolymers show significantly greater stability. Some (for example, PVDF) are excellent. |
| Perfluoro alkoxy (PFA) | ★ | Used in tubing for drug delivery systems and fluid handling, where high chemical resistance and purity are crucial. | NL | |
| Perchlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Known for moisture barrier properties, it's used in packaging for pharmaceuticals, especially sensitive drugs that degrade with moisture. Also found in valve components and seals within medical devices. | L | |
| Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) | ★★★ | Used as a protective film coating on surgical gowns, drapes, and medical packaging. Often applied as a barrier in devices that need chemical resistance or UV stability. | L | |
| Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Used in filtration membranes for sterilizing solutions and air. Found in implantable devices and catheter tubing due to its stability and biocompatibility. | L | |
| Ethylenetetrafluoro ethylene (ETFE) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Applied in medical tubing and wiring insulation, particularly for devices exposed to aggressive cleaning and sterilization. Known for high flexibility and impact resistance, making it suitable for catheters and high-durability medical bags. | L | |
| Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) | ★★ | Used in catheters, especially in areas requiring translucency and chemical resistance. Found in syringes, pump tubing, and medical connectors due to its clarity and stability under heat. | NL | |
| Polyacetals (e.g., polyoxymethylene) | ★ | Commonly used in precision components like inhaler gears, insulin pen screws, and device housings. Known for mechanical strength and dimensional stability, often used in surgical instrument handles. | NL | Irradiation causes significant chain scission (i.e., embrittlement). Color changes have been noted (yellow to green). |
| Polyacrylates (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate) | ★★ to ★★★ | Used in intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and orthopedic cement. Often applied in dental prosthetics due to its transparency and biocompatibility. | NL | |
| Polyamides (e.g., nylon) | ★★ to ★★★ | Used in sutures, catheter shafts, and as a reinforcing material in tubing. Common in surgical mesh and sutures because of its tensile strength and flexibility. | L | Nylon 10, 11, 12, and 6-6 are more stable than 6. Nylon film and fiber are less resistant. Very dependent on design and use requirements. |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Used in blood oxygenators, IV components, and clear housings for various devices due to impact resistance and transparency. Common in surgical tools, syringes, and protective eyewear. | L | Yellows—mechanical properties are not greatly affected; colorcorrected radiation formulations are available. |
| Polyesters, saturated | ★★ to ★★★ | Used in sutures, implant coatings, and drug delivery applications, particularly for resorbable devices. Often applied in absorbable sutures and biodegradable implants. | L | Polybutylene terephthalate is not as radiation stable as polyethylene terephthalate resins. |
| Polyethylene (PE), various densities (LDPE, HDPE) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is used in flexible IV bags, tubing, and disposable gloves. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is found in rigid components like trays, device cases, and connector parts. | L | High-density polyethylene is not as stable as medium density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene, linear lowdensity polyethylene. |
| Polyimides (e.g., polyetherimide) | ★★★★ | Used in catheter coatings and electrical insulation for sensitive medical devices. Employed in high-performance applications where stability at high temperatures and chemical resistance are essential. | L | |
| Polyketones (e.g., polyetheretherketone - PEEK) | ★★★★ | Used in spinal implants, dental implants, and orthopedic devices due to its biocompatibility and strength. Also found in sterilizable endoscopic instruments and parts needing high strength and chemical resistance. | L | |
| Polypropylene (PP) | ||||
| Natural | ★ to ★★ | Syringes, labware, IV bottles, and packaging for medications due to its chemical resistance and low cost. | NL | Physical properties are greatly reduced when irradiated. |
| Stabilized | ★★ to ★★★ | Used in applications where increased durability and stability are required, such as in heat-sterilized lab containers and reusable medical instrument cases. | NL | |
| Polystyrene (PS) | ★★★★ | Disposable labware (petri dishes, pipettes, test tubes) due to its rigidity and clarity. Diagnostic devices, such as housings for lateral flow tests and similar assays. | L | Will begin to yellow at >50 kGy. |
| Polysulfones | ★★★★ | Dialysis machine components, surgical instrument handles, and some reusable syringes, due to excellent toughness, heat resistance, and biocompatibility. | L | Natural material is yellowish. |
| Polyurethane (PU) - Aromatic | ★★ to ★★★ | Catheters, wound dressings, surgical drapes, and cushions in medical devices where flexibility and comfort are important. Often used in short-term implants and soft tubing applications. | L | Aromatic discolors; polyesters are more stable than esters. Retains physical properties. |
| Polyvinylacetates (PVA) | ★★★ | Adhesives in medical tapes and wound care dressings. Also used in drug delivery systems due to its biocompatibility and ability to dissolve in the body. | NL | |
| Polyvinylchloride (PVC) | ★★★ | IV bags, tubing, blood bags, and masks, especially for respiratory devices. Unplasticized PVC is rigid and is used where flexibility is not needed. | NL | Cross-linking dominates and significant yellow color development occurs at doses >30 kGy. |
| PVC, plasticized | ★★★ | Flexible tubing (e.g., for catheters and IV tubes) and bags for blood storage, IV solutions, and dialysis due to increased flexibility with the addition of plasticizers. | L | Cross-linking (stiffening) dominates. |
| Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Used in labware like centrifuge tubes and petri dishes, as well as in some syringe and pipette components, due to its clarity, chemical resistance, and rigidity. | L | |
| Thermosets | ||||
| Epoxy | ★★★★ | Used to bond metals and plastics in devices like syringes, catheters, and other equipment requiring high-strength, biocompatible adhesives. | L | |
| Phenolics | ★★★★ | Commonly found in laboratory equipment, diagnostic devices, and surgical instruments. Additionally, phenolics are sometimes used in electrical components within medical devices due to their insulating properties. | L | Includes the addition of mineral fillers. |
| Polyester, unsaturated | ★★★★ | Found in some prosthetic and orthotic devices, where strength, rigidity, and resistance to body fluids are essential. These resins are also utilized in dental materials for similar reasons. | L | Includes the addition of mineral or glass fibers. |
| Polyimides | ★★★★ | Found in high-temperature-resistant components in devices like surgical instruments and in coatings for wires and cables in medical electronics. | L | |
| Polyurethanes | ||||
| Aliphatic | ★★★★ | Valued for their flexibility, making them suitable for applications in long-term, flexible medical tubing and catheters. Also used in implantable medical devices such as drug-delivery pumps. | L | |
| Aromatic | ★★ to ★★★★ | The high strength of aromatic polyurethanes lends itself to applications like medical drapes and films that need durability but do not require prolonged exposure to light. | L | Darkening can occur. Possible breakdown products could be derived. |
| Adhesives | ||||
| Acrylic | ★★ to ★★★ | Used in bonding applications for devices such as syringes, catheters, and medical tubing. They provide strong, flexible bonds and are often chosen for their quick curing times and compatibility with various sterilization methods. | L | Embrittlement possible. |
| Epoxy | ★★★★ | Commonly used in devices requiring high-strength bonds, such as diagnostic equipment, imaging devices, and dental applications. They offer durability and resistance to chemicals and are often selected for bonding metals, ceramics, and some plastics. | L | |
| Fluoroepoxy | ★★★★ | Used in applications requiring chemical and moisture resistance, such as implantable devices and equipment exposed to harsh environments. Their fluorinated structure provides exceptional resistance, making them suitable for long-term exposure to bodily fluids. | L | |
| Silicone | ★★ to ★★★ | Preferred in devices that require flexibility and compatibility with sensitive skin, such as wearable devices, wound care dressings, and components of respiratory equipment. They are biocompatible, flexible, and can maintain bonds even when exposed to moisture and varying temperatures. | L | Platinum-cured silicones are superior to peroxide-cured silicones due to higher cross-link density. |
| Elastomers | ||||
| Butyl | ★ | Known for its low gas permeability, butyl rubber is used in pharmaceutical stoppers, seals, and gaskets for medical device containers, helping maintain sterility and prevent contamination. | NL | Friable, sheds particulate, chain scission. |
| Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Highly resistant to heat, chemicals, and weathering, making it suitable for tubing in fluid delivery systems, gaskets in medical devices, and seals in diagnostic equipment. | L | |
| Natural rubber | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Used for medical gloves, catheter balloons, and various tubing applications, natural rubber offers good elasticity and durability, though it may cause allergic reactions in some patients. | L | |
| Nitrile | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Nitrile is widely used for medical gloves, seals, and diaphragms due to its excellent resistance to punctures and chemicals, as well as its hypoallergenic properties. | L | Discolors. |
| Polyacrylic | ★★ to ★★★ | This rubber provides excellent oil resistance and stability, so it's often used in applications requiring contact with lubricants, such as seals and gaskets in medical equipment that may use oil-based components. | NL | |
| Polychloroprene | ★★★ | With good elasticity, durability, and chemical resistance, neoprene is used for medical gloves, orthopedic braces, and tubing in respiratory devices. | L | Discolors; addition of aromatic plasticizers renders material more stable to irradiation. |
| Silicone | ★★ to ★★★ | Known for its biocompatibility and flexibility, silicone is used for catheters, implants, seals, and other devices in contact with tissue or fluids. It's also popular in drug delivery systems and respiratory masks. | L | Cross-linking dominates. Platinum-cured silicones are superior to peroxidecured silicones because their preirradiation cross-link density is greater. Full cure during manufacture can reduce postirradiation cross-link effects. Phenyl- methyl silicones are more stable than are methyl silicones. Stiffening due to cross-linking is likely. |
| Styrenic block copolymers (e.g., styrene-butadienestyrene, styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene) | ★★ to ★★★ | These materials are used for wound care products, flexible tubing, and soft-touch applications due to their elastomeric properties and ease of sterilization. | L | Butadiene scissions. |
| Urethane | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Polyurethane is prized for its strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility, making it suitable for catheters, vascular grafts, wound dressings, and blood bags. It is also used in cushioning components in medical devices. | L | |
| Metals | ||||
| Aluminum | ★★★★ | Used in lightweight surgical instruments and equipment housing due to its light weight and resistance to corrosion. | L | |
| Brass | ★★★★ | Commonly used in fittings and connectors for medical gas delivery systems, as it has good machinability and corrosion resistance. | L | |
| Copper | ★★★★ | Employed in medical equipment wiring and components that require conductivity and antimicrobial properties, such as in hospital surfaces or equipment touchpoints to reduce infection spread. | L | |
| Gold | ★★★★ | Often used for electrical contacts in devices like pacemakers and other implanted devices, thanks to its excellent biocompatibility and conductivity. | L | |
| Magnesium | ★★★★ | Investigated for use in bioresorbable implants like orthopedic screws or cardiovascular stents due to its biodegradability within the body. | L | |
| Nickel | ★★★★ | Integral in alloys, such as nickel-titanium (Nitinol), which is used in stents, guidewires, and orthodontic devices for its shape memory and superelastic properties. | L | |
| Silver | ★★★★ | Utilized for its antimicrobial properties in wound dressings, catheters, and coatings to prevent bacterial growth on medical devices. | L | |
| Stainless steel | ★★★★ | A common choice for surgical instruments, orthopedic implants, and needles due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. | L | |
| Titanium | ★★★★ | Used extensively in implants like hip and knee replacements, dental implants, and bone fixation devices due to its strength, corrosion resistance, and high biocompatibility. | L | |
| Ceramics/glasses | ||||
| Aluminum oxides | ★★★★ | Often used in orthopedic implants such as hip and knee replacements due to its high wear resistance, biocompatibility, and strength. | L | |
| Silica | ★★★★ | Commonly found in bioactive glass coatings on implants, helping promote bone bonding and integration. Also used in diagnostic devices and biosensors due to its transparency and ease of fabrication into microstructures. | L | |
| Zirconium oxides | ★★★★ | Used in orthopedic implants like femoral heads in hip replacements, where its toughness and wear resistance help extend implant life. | L | |
| Other materials | ||||
| Bioabsorbables | ||||
| Polyglycolides | ★ to ★★★★ | Widely used in absorbable sutures. It provides initial strength for wound closure and then gradually absorbs, reducing tissue trauma. Also used in orthopedic fixation devices: temporary bone screws, pins, and rods made from polyglycolide are used in fracture fixation and joint surgeries. They maintain stability while the bone heals and then safely degrade. | NL | |
| Polylactides | ★ to ★★★★ | Used in bioabsorbable, drug-eluting stents to slowly release medication and then dissolve, which helps prevent blood vessel re-blockage while reducing long-term complications. Also used in tissue engineering scaffolds to support cell growth and tissue regeneration. It provides temporary structural support, eventually degrading as new tissue forms. | NL | |
| Cellulosics | ||||
| Cellulose ester | ★★ | Often used in filtration membranes for dialysis and blood filtration devices due to its excellent permeability and biocompatibility. | NL | Esters degrade less than other cellulosics. |
| Cellulose acetate propionate | ★★ to ★★★★ | Commonly used in medical device housings and packaging. CAP is durable and has a high resistance to moisture, making it ideal for medical equipment cases and handles. | L | |
| Cellulose acetate butyrate | ★★ to ★★★★ | Employed in drug delivery systems and as a coating for pills and capsules, CAB is chemically stable and provides controlled release properties, ideal for precision medication delivery. | L | |
| Cellulose, paper, cardboard | ★★ to ★★★★ | Primarily used in disposable medical items like swabs, sterile packaging, and lab sample holders. Paper-based cellulose materials are biodegradable and used for temporary or single-use items in sterile environments. | L | |
| Liquid crystal polymer (LCP) | ★ to ★★★★ | Commonly used in medical devices due to its unique combination of mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and biocompatibility. Examples include catheter components, microelectronics, surgical imstruments, and endoscopic devices. | L | Commercial LCPs; natural LCPs are not stable. |
| Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) | ★★ to ★★★ | Commonly used in medical syringes, diagnostic vials, and microfluidic devices. Its transparency and biocompatibility make it ideal for these precision applications. | ||
| Zinc ionomer (Surlyn) | ★★ to ★★★ | Often found in medical packaging, particularly for blister packs and sealing films, due to its durability, puncture resistance, and transparency. It is also used in drug delivery applications where a strong, flexible barrier is required. | ||
| Poly(para-xylylene) (paralene) | ★★★ to ★★★★ | Paralene coatings provide a biocompatible, conformal layer that protects sensitive electronics in implantable devices like pacemakers and neurostimulators. It’s also used to protect medical instruments and surgical tools from moisture and chemicals. | ||
| Lubricants | ||||
| Silicone oils and greases (polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS] fluid) | ★★ to ★★★★ | Widely used as lubricants in syringes, catheters, and other medical devices where smooth motion and reduced friction are essential. It’s also valued for its biocompatibility and inert nature in contact with bodily tissues. | NL | Tends to cross-link and puddle at higher doses; low-viscosity more stable than high-viscosity (i.e., 12,500 cSt) |
| Poly(p-xylylene)polymers(dry) | ★★ to ★★★★ | These dry lubricants are used on medical device components like catheters and needles, providing a smooth, friction-reducing layer that enhances patient comfort during procedures without requiring additional fluids. | ||
| Liquid or solid lubricants containing PTFE | ★★ to ★★★★ | Used in surgical instruments, catheter coatings, and guidewires to reduce friction and improve ease of movement. PTFE provides a low-friction, non-stick surface, beneficial for minimally invasive procedures and patient comfort. | PTFE scissions; however, maintains lubricating qualities; stability dependent upon carrier. |