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Raw Materials / Properties of Plastics

All TPP products are manufactured completely from synthetic raw material and do not contain any substances derived from animal origin. The virgin raw materials are certified medical grade and fulfill the requirements of USP Class 6 and Class 1 medical devices according to directive 93/42. They are not derived from specific-risk materials as defined in European Commission Decision 97/534/EC.


The manufacturing process does not use any chemical substances, additives or ingredients of animal origin nor do TPP products come in contact with animal products during storage and transportation.

TPP products are free from BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy).

Heat Heat resistance

Polyethylene

Permanent loading: 70 - 80 °C / 158 - 176 °F, (short term max 100 °C / 212 °F), cannot be autoclaved

Polypropylene

Permanent loading: 100 - 110°C / 212 - 230°F, (short term max 140°C / 284°F), can be autoclaved

Polystyrene

Permanent loading: 60 - 70 °C / 140 - 158 °F, (short term max 80 °C / 176 °F), cannot be autoclaved

 

Low temperature resistance

Polyethylene

-40 °C / -104 °F

Polypropylene

-190 °C / -374 °F

Polystyrene

-40°C / -104 °F

 

Optical Properties

Polyethylene

translucent to opaque

Polypropylene

translucent, shiny surface

Polystyrene

transparent, shiny surface with 90 % transparency index at 400 - 800 nm

 

Mechanical Properties

Polyethylene

low tensile strength and surface hardness; high ductility at soft and harder levels; low resistance to stress cracking; water repellent; susceptible to electrostatic charging

Polypropylene

high fracture strength; dimensionally stable; high stiffness, strong and hard

Polystyrene

low fracture ductility; low warm strength; excellent electrical insulation properties; not suitable for use at high centrifugal loads

  

Chemical Resistance

Polyethylene

exhibits high resistance; dilute acids, alkalis, alcohol; oil and salt solutions do not attack, concentrated and oxidising acids such as nitric acid and the halogens, lead to disintegration

Polypropylene

high resistance to aqueous solutions of organic salts, acids and alkalis, as well as to organic solvents up to 60 °C; stable in alcohols, esters and ketones; aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, oxidising substances such as concentrated nitric acid and at higher temperatures, fats, oils and waxes all lead to swelling

Polystyrene

high resistance to salt and caustic solutions, non-oxidising acids, alkalis and alcohols. Petroleum spirit, ethereal oils, strongly oxidising agents and aromatic attack and give rise to stress cracking

 

Disposal

PE / PP / PS

all raw materials are pure hydrocarbon compounds and therefore neutral to the environment. No harmful substances are generated during controlled burning.