Bonding low surface energy plastics such as nylon, PEBA, COC/COP, polyethylene, and polypropylene present a significant challenge in medical device assembly. This technical white paper examines the material properties that make these substrates difficult to bond and outlines practical strategies to improve adhesion performance.
Topics include surface energy and wetting behavior, common causes of bond failure, and the impact of surface contamination, plasticizers, and sterilization methods on long-term reliability. The paper also reviews surface preparation techniques such as cleaning, abrasion, corona, plasma, and chemical treatments to enhance adhesion.
In addition, it explores adhesive selection considerations, including the advantages of light-curable technologies for high-speed manufacturing, as well as key joint design and inspection practices that support consistent, high-strength bonds.
Download this resource to gain actionable insights for improving bond strength, process reliability, and device performance when working with hard-to-bond medical plastics.
