Materials are designed to serve as a lead alternative for radiation and EMI/RFI shielding in medical devices used in home, outpatient, and long-term care environments. Specialty thermoplastic compounds provider Sabic Innovative Plastics, Pittsfield, MA, offers two compounds created to meet pending changes to the lead replacement exemption for Category 8 products under the EU’s RoHS directive, as well as cost-effectiveness and flexibility requirements.

LNP Thermocomp high specific gravity compounds for radiation shielding feature metallic fillers in a resin matrix designed to block radiation and avoid hot spots that can occur in lead shielding products. The compounds enable reductions in total manufacturing time and system cost and complexity because they do not require secondary operations necessary for lead processing. They also offer greater flexibility than lead for new equipment designs and can be incorporated into high-volume production operations.

LNP Faradex compounds feature electrically conductive stainless steel fibers in a resin matrix to provide EMI/RFI shielding for wireless patient monitoring systems. These compounds offer advantages in terms of cost and safety over heavy, complex die-cast metal layers or part metallization that involve secondary operations and hazardous processes. Available in custom colors, these compounds can be used in injection molding and are lighter weight than cast metal.