News & Insights

An Informational Brief on Polymer Machining     One of the high-performance thermoplastics that AIP works with is ULTEM: a PEI, or polyetherimide. ULTEM was developed by General Electric Plastics Division (Now SABIC) back in the early 1980s. Polyetherimide (PEI) is an amorphous, amber-to-transparent thermoplastic.   Among other uses, ULTEM is popularly used in medical instrument components, aircraft interiors, missile and defense-related components, electrical insulation parts, and semiconductor equipment components.   AIP... Read More

Strict Hygienic Procedures for Precision Machining   It’s no secret that cleanliness and sterilization are crucial for applications in the medical industry. Any manufacturer you hire for machining your plastic component should be aware of this, and taking actions to prevent any contamination from taking place.   Here are three ways you can ensure that your medical application is being precision machined by a manufacturer committed to following strict hygienic... Read More

An Informational Brief on Polymer Machining   The recent popularity of PEEK (polyetheretherketone) in complex industries such as Aerospace & Defense and Medical & Life Sciences is well documented, and for good reason: this lightweight thermoplastic bears properties that make it ideal for a variety of specialized applications. This versatility makes PEEK equally capable of being used for implants and custom medical devices or machined lightweight aircraft components.   What... Read More

When it comes to choosing a thermoplastic material for your medical applications, product durability, agency approval, biocompatibility and cleanliness aren’t just desirable—they’re essential. Beyond even that, though, a host of other factors must be considered when determining which high-performance plastic or composite material to use for an implant, orthopedic surgical guides, body fluid contact components, spinal devices, or surgical instruments. Medical product applications are becoming more and more advanced due... Read More

Your Brief Guide to Polymer Materials   When it comes to polymers, you have two basic types: thermoplastics and thermosets. When machining plastic, it’s crucial to know which one you’re working with due to distinct differences between how these two main polymer categories react to chemicals and temperature.   Thermoplastics soften when heated and become more fluid as additional heat is applied. The curing process is completely reversible as no... Read More