US custom compounder Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, Rhode Island; www.teknorapex.com) has added two high-hardness grades to its “Medalist” MD-200 series of thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) elastomers, extending the range of resilient, high-purity compounds for replacing rubber in medical applications. The range now includes an 87 Shore A compound, MD-240, and a 43 Shore D grade, MD-245. The 43 Shore D measure is roughly equivalent to a Shore A hardness of 93.

The materials’ properties include low long-term compression set, high fatigue resistance, prolonged flex life, stability at high temperatures, abrasion resistance and long-term sealability, the company said. The compounds can be extruded, injection moulded and blow moulded. Anticipated applications include peristaltic tubes, collection and drainage tubes, stoppers for vials, caps and plugs, seals and gaskets, device handles, ergonomic soft grips, valves and diaphragms.

Teknor Apex will introduce the compounds in the US at “MD&M West”, held in Anaheim, California from 12 to 14 February 2013 and in Europe at “MedTech”, held in Stuttgart / Germany from 26 to 28 February.