Boyd Coatings Research Co., Inc. has announced the availability of fifteen colors of PVDF (Polyvinylidene Difluoride) coatings – all of which have undergone the rigors of recent biocompatibility testing and been declared suitable for use on medical devices and / or medical instruments.
Permanent marking on medical devices has become a hot topic of late due to the recent ruling from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandating that all medical devices must include a Unique Device Identifier (UDI). Due to its durability, inertness, and resistance to solvents, acid and heat, PVDF is a popular choice for marking reusable medical devices and instruments which must withstand the rigors of daily handling and sterilization. Additional desirable characteristics of PVDF coatings include a lower cure temperature (500 Degrees F) and good dielectric strength (1500V/mil).
"Taking it one step further, Boyd Coatings can coat the device - or a selected surface of the device no matter the complexity of geometry - with PVDF and then, using that same PVDF material, can pad print or screen CE marks, UL marks, logos, etc. onto the coated surface,” said Don Garcia, director, R&D for Boyd Coatings. “In doing so, we can ensure that the device has the performance characteristics of the PVDF coating on every designated surface. Identification markings made with PVDF material will be legible and as durable as the base performance coating itself; and the biocompatibility and other desirable PVDF characteristics will be in every aspect the same throughout the device coating.”
Boyd Coatings Research Co., Inc. applies, high performance coatings, specializing in the medical, industrial and aerospace markets using either off-the-shelf or custom-developed coatings. The company is ISO 9001 registered and a licensed applicator of DuPont Teflon®, Whitford® fluoropolymers, 3M and other popular coatings providing non-stick, heat resistant, conductive, insulative, hydrophobic and other desirable properties. Lean and flexible manufacturing capabilities allow the company to process both high-volume and small quantities quickly and cost-effectively.
