Welcome to our Second TOPAS eNewsletter! |
| This edition of our Newsletter highlights a few of the advanced uses for TOPAS® COC. Although flexible packaging is the largest market for TOPAS, the unique properties of our Cyclic Olefin Copolymer are at the center of numerous exciting developments in healthcare, optics, electronics and more. Programs are underway at leading North American manufacturers as well as dozens of innovative startups. Especially in medical applications, sales growth is accelerating in advanced specialty applications, which have long timelines due to stringent regulations and testing, but are a perfect fit for our glass-clear, high-purity barrier polymers. |
From high-end microfluidics to parenteral containers to new drug delivery systems, design concepts powered by TOPAS COC are generating ever-increasing customer interest, and we have introduced new TOPAS grades to support high technology markets. Let us know how we can help you innovate and grow your business.
Thank you for your interest in TOPAS !
Sincerely,
Bernd Sparenberg, President, TOPAS Advanced Polymers, Inc. |
Versatile Pilot Film & Sheet Capabilities Available |
 TOPAS Advanced Polymers' pilot cast film line is now available on a contract basis for development and manufacturing activities. From advanced optical and microfluidic films to medical thermoforming to food packaging applications, the TOPAS pilot line is a proven tool for rapid product development and small-scale production. |
Conveniently located near the Cincinnati airport, line capabilities include:
- Up to five coex layers via three extruders
- Thickness of 1 to 50 mil; width to 12"
- Three-roll water-heated cooling stack
For more information, see our TOPAS Film Lab website or email us. |
TAH MiniMix™ Dispensing Systems Rely on TOPAS® |
 TAH Industries is a leader in single-use packaging and dispensing systems for two-component materials used in dental and medical applications. TAH's MiniMix™ single-use cartridge includes a snap-off opening and a one-way mixer housing to prevent re-use. The system is ergonomically designed for precise delivery in a 1:1 ratio.
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The dual cartridge is made from TOPAS® COC, and complies with USP Class VI and ISO 10993. The TOPAS polymer features high barrier and chemical resistance, so MiniMix™ can be used to protect and dispense two-component reactive chemistries. The system is available as a completely disposable syringe, or with a re-usable dispenser.
TAH Industries, a Nordson Corporation, manufactures motionless mixer dispensing systems for two component adhesives, and specializes in the design of metered dispensing products. |
Osmetech Makes a Better Capillary Tube with TOPAS® |
 In the biotech world, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fundamental technology for rapid genetic analysis. One hazard of traditional PCR has been the glass capillaries used for genetic samples. Now Osmetech Molecular Diagnostics has developed SensiTubes™, a drop-in replacement for glass capillaries that removes risk without compromising performance. SensiTubes™ is a capillary tube made from TOPAS COC (cyclic olefin copolymer). |
The product eliminates the dangers of glass breakage and minimizes the risk of laboratory personnel exposure to potentially dangerous samples and glass shards. SensiTubes™ are engineered specifically for the Roche LightCycler®, a leading PCR thermal cycler used worldwide for DNA and RNA analysis. The glass-clear TOPAS COC medical polymer is extremely pure and has minimal interaction with nucleic acids or proteins, so analytical results are fast and accurate.
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Stack Plastics Forges Ahead with New TOPAS® 5013L-10 |
For improved injection molding performance, TOPAS Advanced Polymers recently introduced a new internally lubricated resin grade, TOPAS ® 5013L-10. This high clarity polymer is especially suited for applications requiring high flow, including thin wall parts, and for detail replication down to 50 microns. One believer in the new resin is Stack Plastics of Menlo Park, California, which is serviced through Entec Polymers, a TOPAS distributor. Stack is a full service custom injection molding company already using TOPAS 5013L-10 in multiple applications, including a diagnostic device component. |
Stack's President Mark Rackley observes that “5013L-10 is friendly to process. This material has good viscosity balance, enabling parts to fill evenly without flash.” Based on the excellent performance of this new material, Rackley “regularly recommends TOPAS 5013L-10 to new clients, including those unfamiliar with the benefits of COC.”
Suitable for medical and other high-tech applications, TOPAS 5013L-10 is listed in FDA Drug and Device Master Files, and has passed a wide range of USP and ISO biocompatibility testing. The new resin is available in 25 kg bags. Technical and processing data sheets for TOPAS 5013L-10 are available online. To place an order, simply call us at (859) 746-6447 x4402. |
Tech Tips: Injection Molding TOPAS® |
TOPAS COC is easy to process in injection molding. TOPAS resins deliver excellent moldability, faithful replication of microstructures in the mold, low shrinkage and high dimensional stability. Along with the excellent optical characteristics and high purity for which TOPAS polymers are noted, these qualities allow TOPAS COC to be used in advanced molding applications such as precision optical lenses, light guides, prefilled syringes, and microfluidic devices.
TOPAS COC's are amorphous polymers with no crystallinity. Like other polyolefins, drying is usually not needed. To extrude these materials, a general purpose screw can be used, preferably with a low compression ratio of 2:1 to 2.5:1, and an L/D of 19:1 or greater. |
TOPAS grades are available with HDT's from 75 °C to 170 °C. Recommended barrel temperatures increase with the HDT of the grade, and can be found on our processing data sheets. Proper temperature settings insure a good quality, fluid melt for each grade.
The recommended mold temperature is particularly important. It increases with HDT. For the higher HDT grades, oil-heated equipment and mold temperatures above 100 °C are required. If the mold temperature is too cold, the parts will be brittle, and subject to post mold cracking. This will be evident at sharp corners or areas exposed to mechanical stress.
For more information on molding with TOPAS COC, please contact Dr. Ronald Lamonte at +1 (859) 746-6447 x4410, or via email. |
TOPAS in the Community |
Meet the TOPAS Team! |
The TOPAS Team took advantage of a beautiful Saturday on the Cincinnati riverfront in September to help raise funds as part of the Buddy Walk™, an annual nationwide event to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Several TOPAS Advanced Polymers employees and their children participated, walking a mile amidst nearly 10,000 other supporters who raised a total of over $350,000 toward an excellent cause. Our "Buddies" this year were Steven Clark (Delia's son) and Max Valladares, who had a great time leading us over the Ohio River and back. |
Delia Clark joined the TOPAS team in mid-2006 and has rapidly become an indispensable part of the organization. Starting in an administrative assistant role, she has already taken on Human Resources responsibilities, and is keeping Customer Service humming along during Erin's maternity leave. (We hope to have a photo of Erin's daughter in the next Newsletter.) Delia is a native of Illinois, and has spent the past 19 years in Erlanger, Kentucky. She has three children: Chuck, Amanda, and Steven. When not keeping us organized at work, Delia is an active volunteer for Special Olympics. |
Upcoming Shows & Exhibitions featuring TOPAS® |
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