Adhesive Bonding of Plastics in Medical Device Applications

This paper addresses the use of adhesives for bonding plastics in medical devices, a process challenged by factors like surface energy, crystallinity, thermal expansion, and elasticity. Adhesives are crucial in medical device manufacturing due to their versatility and ease of use. A general understanding of the material properties of plastics as well as the theories of adhesion are beneficial to the design process and will be discussed briefly. Key considerations for medical devices include biocompatibility, sterilization resistance, device type (reusable vs. disposable), temperature and chemical resistance, and the properties of both the plastics and adhesives used. The paper also emphasizes the importance of understanding adhesion theories for effective design and problem-solving.