Global industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance, innovative solutions and components across a wide range of industries.
Serving Biopharm and Cell Therapy
Industry-leading provider of material science-based solutions in the biopharmaceutical and cell therapy markets for single-use fluid management.
Medical Components and Custom Solutions
We provide custom components and engineered systems for the medical device industry, including critical parts where precision enables superior performance.
Electronics and Semiconductor Industry Solutions
Design and manufacture a complete line of ultra-high purity, fluoropolymer-based fluid handling components and solutions for the electronics and semiconductor markets.
Industrial & Consumer Solutions (ICS)
Superior engineering and customer support to achieve safety, performance, and regulatory compliance across a broad range of capabilities. Offerings include Tygon® Tubing and Accessories, Hoses and Fittings, Heat Shrink Tubing, and High-Performance Seals.
Sensors Flow Measurement Solutions
Playing an essential role in preventing cross-contamination, validating essential processes, and driving cost savings, we specialize in the development and production of high-quality single-use flow sensors and corresponding equipment.
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At Saint-Gobain, we engineer advanced thermoplastics to meet the complex requirements of medical device and diagnostics manufacturers. Whether you are developing high-precision molded housings or specialized extruded tubing for fluid management, our materials are selected and formulated to perform across a wide range of processing and sterilization conditions.
Our team supports both extrusion and molding programs, bringing deep experience with biocompatibility, regulatory stability, and long-term supply chain planning. From development through production, we help ensure your material choices align with clinical needs, processing performance, and device lifecycle expectations.
Thermoplastics are polymers that can be melted, shaped, and re-solidified multiple times. This makes them well suited for common medical manufacturing methods like injection molding and extrusion. Materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, and thermoplastic elastomers are widely used in devices that require flexibility, transparency, or chemical resistance.
Why choose thermoplastics for the medical industry?
Thermoplastics are a great choice for medical device components due to their ability to be easily sterilized, recyclable, and have good chemical resistance. Many grades meet USP Class VI or ISO 10993 standards and can be sterilized using EtO, gamma, or autoclave methods. They are also well suited for continuous manufacturing techniques and allow for design flexibility across molded and extruded formats.
What materials are included in the thermoplastics category?
Thermoplastics include dozens of polymer families. Each type offers different balances of strength, clarity, chemical resistance, flexibility, and heat tolerance. Some are designed for durability in reusable systems, while others are optimized for cost efficiency in disposable components.
Category
Examples
Key Attributes
Use Cases
High-Performance
PEEK, PPSU, PEI, PAI
Chemically inert, high heat resistance, sterilization stable
Reusable surgical tools, tubing for aggressive chemistries
Engineering
PC, PET, POM, ABS
Dimensional stability, good optical clarity, consistent flow
Diagnostic housings, fluidic blocks, pump and sensor tubing
Commodity
PP, HDPE, LDPE
Low cost, good chemical resistance, gamma stable grades
Selecting a thermoplastic is rarely a one-dimensional decision. It requires balancing performance, processing, regulatory, and supply considerations. PEEK, for example, provides outstanding thermal and chemical resistance but requires tight process control during molding or extrusion. Polypropylene is cost-effective and gamma-compatible but may deform in autoclave cycles.
Processing method also plays a major role. Molded parts may require materials that flow well into thin walls or maintain dimensional stability after ejection and sterilization. Extruded tubing may need clarity, flexibility, or low extractables, depending on the application.
Biocompatibility standards and extractables testing
Bonding and welding behavior in assembly
Kink resistance and memory for tubing
Dimensional stability and tolerance for molded features
Availability of medical grades with locked formulations
A diagnostic cartridge made from PC may prioritize dimensional control and clarity. A wearable infusion line made from TPU may require soft durometer, low tack, and extended pump durability. A catheter using PVDF or FEP may need low friction, chemical resistance, and sterilization resilience.
Each material family brings tradeoffs, and choosing the right one requires understanding not only how it performs, but how it behaves in your manufacturing environment and regulatory pathway.
