Plastics are cost-effective, lightweight, and easily machined or fabricated into large and small parts. In the pharmaceutical industry many types of plastic materials are also valued for their durability, biocompatibility, compatibility with sanitizing and sterilizing processes, and strength.
National Plastics & Seals, Inc. is a leading supplier of precision machined and fabricated custom plastic products. Learn more about the benefits plastics offer for equipment and tools in this industry as well as the range of materials we use to produce plastic parts and products for pharma uses
The Benefits of Plastics in Pharmaceutical Products and Components
Plastic materials have much to offer pharmaceutical applications from processing equipment to packaging materials and beyond. Some benefits of these versatile materials include:
Sanitary
Plastics that are temperature resistant can be sanitized with hot or cold water and cleaning agents.
Lightweight
From pill bottles to syringes to process bottles and tools, lightweight plastics reduce shipping costs, fatigue associated with using heavy tools and equipment, and safety risks when compared with glass or heat-conducting materials like metal.
Inertness
Many plastics, though not all, are chemically inert and do not react with drug ingredients or process chemicals.
Chemical and mechanical stability
Many plastic materials are durable because they maintain their chemical and mechanical properties over time, even after exposure to temperature fluctuations, UV radiation, and other environmental conditions. This makes them a reliable choice for items that require a long service life or heavy use.
Antimicrobial properties
Some plastics can be treated to make them antimicrobial for use with tools and equipment that are touched frequently, or with sensitive ingredients.
Versatility
Plastics have a range of different properties that are well-suited to different requirements and applications. For example, some have excellent clarity, opacity, tensile strength, flexibility, temperature, coefficient of friction, or chemical resistance. Most are also highly machinable and can be made into nearly any needed shape.
Compliant
National Plastics & Seals works with plastics that comply with both North American and European regulations. Pharmaceutical products also meet USP, FDA, NSF, REACH, and RoHS standards.
Cost effective
Plastics are relatively inexpensive raw materials that are easy to work with for prototyping or production at scale. They are also lightweight, which reduces shipping costs, largely shatterproof to reduce breakage risks, and often recyclable.
Common Materials Used in Pharmaceutical Applications
At National Plastics & Seals we work with a variety of raw materials to produce custom parts that are dimensionally accurate and durable, with a very high degree of repeatability for continuous quality. Our selection of plastics includes:
- Delrin® Acetal (POM).
- Acrylic (PMMA).
- Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS).
- Ethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE).
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
- Nylon 6 and Cast Nylon 6/6 (PA).
- Polycarbonate (PC).
- Polyester Terephthalate Glycol Modified (PETG).
- Ultem® Polyetherimide (PEI).
- Polyethersulfone (PES).
- Polyethylene (PE).
- Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE).
- Thermoplastic Polyester (PBT).
- Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE).
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET).
- Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS).
- Polypropylene (PP).
- Polystyrene (PS).
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
- Kynar® Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF).
Plastics in Pharmaceutical Applications
Our manufacturing capabilities include milling and turning, acrylic laser cutting, welding, annealing, and plastic polishing, to provide accurate shapes, profiles, and surface finishes. Some common applications and use cases in the pharmaceutical industry include:
- Valve seals and bungs.
- Gaskets and o-rings.
- Acrylic or polycarbonate display containers and supports.
- Drug delivery devices including IV and injunction parts.
- Pump parts.
- Pill production equipment components.
- Thermal packaging containers and coolers.
Pharmaceutical Plastic Fabrication by National Plastics
For reliable pharmaceutical products and solutions using plastics, trust National Plastics & Seals, Inc. We are a leading supplier of precision-machined and fabricated plastic parts that the pharmaceutical industry and many other sectors turn to for quality parts. Learn more about our selection of materials for your application by contacting us today, or request a quote to discuss your next project.