The EcoLube™ MD internally lubricated, engineered compounds integrate specially designed functional additives directly into the material to provide long-lasting lubrication from within. (Photo: Business Wire)
End-use applications for Americhem’s PFAS-free internally lubricated compounds include minimally invasive surgical devices and syringe pumps, the company said.
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio—A new line of per- and polyfluoroalkyl- (PFAS) free internally lubricated compounds from Americhem, Inc., is designed and manufactured specifically for medical devices and other healthcare applications.
Americhem said in a release that its EcoLube™ MD line of PFAS-free internally lubricated compounds builds on the success of the company’s launch of EcoLube™ in 2024, addressing the critical need for effective wear and friction reduction. The compounds are reported to ensure compliance with current and future regulations, demonstrate environmental stewardship, and reduce environmental impact.
Americhem is a globally recognized designer and manufacturer of custom color masterbatch formulations, functional additives, engineered compounds, and performance technologies for the global polymer industry. The company operates 10 manufacturing plants and maintains sales offices throughout the world.
In addition to reducing the wear and friction of moving plastic parts, EcoLube MD pre-lubricated engineered compounds and alloys are designed to help manufacturers reduce noise during use, and to decrease the coefficient of friction for plastic-on-plastic and plastic-on-metal applications—all without the use of PFAS components. End-use applications for the compounds can include minimally invasive surgical devices, syringe pumps, prosthetics, surgical robots, and more, the company said.
Matt Miklos, vice president and general manager of Americhem’s engineered compounds division, noted that healthcare OEMs are increasingly concerned about sustainability and ensuring that new products meet current and future regulations.
“With regulations around the world potentially restricting or banning the use of PFAS and PTFE, healthcare OEMs are challenged with finding alternatives that can match their self-lubricating performance,” Miklos said in the release. “Our new PFAS-free EcoLube™ MD line showcases Americhem’s dedication to innovation, meeting their unique needs and helping them stay ahead in their respective markets.”
Americhem Vice President of Global Technology & Innovation Linda Boyett said that EcoLube MD has undergone testing for performance and biocompatibility. In most cases, internal testing has indicated performance similar to the more traditional internal lubricants and wear resistant additives. Specifically, EcoLube MD has undergone ISO10993 –5 testing for biocompatibility as part of the global medical compliance certifications.
“ISO10993 – 5 testing for biocompatibility is an important global medical compliance certification, and we’re proud that EcoLube™ MD is a proven solution that supports sustainability and performance for the healthcare industry,” Boyett said in the release.
According to Americhem, EcoLube defies “the limitations of conventional lubrication, ushering in a new era of embedded performance.” The technology integrates specially designed functional additives directly into the material to provide long-lasting lubrication from within. A variety of functional additives cater to specific applications, resulting in a versatile EcoLube product line capable of tackling a wide range of lubrication challenges, the company said.
The EcoLube compounds include solid state, non-migrating lubricants that stand up to extreme pressures, reducing frictional wear and “slip-stick” behavior in nylon bearings. Multifunctional, migrating, boundary lubricants reduce the coefficient of friction and wear rate by providing immediate lubrication at start-up and high speeds. And non-traditional formulations offer shear reinforcement and abrasion resistance between moving, mating parts, the release stated.
The EcoLube family of lubricants feature low friction, non-migratory additives that are designed to offset PTFE in various applications and thermoplastics. In addition, EcoLube MD biocompatibility testing and compliance with medical certifications are coupled with AEC’s stringent Process Change Management commitments and locked formulation promise, making the lubricants suited for a variety of medical applications, according to the release.
Americhem has formulated EcoLube™ compounds in a wide variety of base resins, including ABS, PBT, PCABS, PC, PEI, PPE, PPS, PE, and PP. Other base resins in which the compounds are formulated are PSU, PPSU, POM, PEEK, PPA, PA, and TPU, the company said.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to customize products to fit end-market performance, conversion processes, color, and aesthetic requirements,” added Miklos. “By working closely with our customers, we shape specifications and new technologies to meet their unique needs and sustainability objectives.”