DAYVILLE, CT USA – (January 24, 2019) – Putnam Plastics Corporation, a leader in advanced extrusion for minimally invasive medical devices, has expanded their product portfolio to include RilSlix™ coated mandrels and wires. The new products incorporate a unique surface chemistry that has been optimized for use as a processing aid in catheter manufacturing and employ a range of fluoropolymer coatings, including the proprietary RilSlix coating. All coatings are compatible with discrete, tapered and continuous wire.
The RilSlix compounds have been designed with PFOA free, REACH compliant materials and exhibit up to 5 times stronger adhesion of the coating to the mandrel than industry standards. The RilSlix technology also offers unparalleled durability which enables wires/mandrels to be used repeatedly without flaking. The combination of performance, wear-resistance and longevity makes RilSlix coated mandrels a cost effective option, superior to standard fluoropolymer coated wires and mandrels.
“As a catheter engineer, my team regularly utilizes coated mandrels in the manufacturing of complex catheters,” said Robert St. John, Senior Catheter Engineer at Putnam Plastics. “These new mandrels coated from RilSlix compounds are ideal for multi-lumen catheters, reflow processes or continuous processes where mandrels are required as they are easily released and can be used over and over again without flaking.”
Discrete mandrel and continuous wire coating is compatible with a variety of metals including, but not limited to, stainless steel, silver plated copper, and Nitinol in diameters ranging from 0.010in. to over 0.500in. (0.254mm to 12.7mm). We can also accommodate discrete lengths up to 13ft (4m).
Putnam Plastics engineers are available to assist in material selection and optimization, ensuring that the polymer coating that is ultimately selected is best suited to meet specific product performance requirements. Samples are available in formats that will allow customers to evaluate bond strength, frictional properties and durability. Putnam Plastics also offers in-house testing for all adhesion and coating processes. By providing both manufacturing and testing under one roof, customers benefit from a reduction in lead time and access to product design that is customer specific.
