Precision Coating News and Blog

“Challenges & Solutions for Reusable Medical Devices Requiring Reprocessing”

There’s been an important development in the 2016 FDA science priorities that involves taking a stronger look at the reprocessing cycle and the impact on reusable medical devices. The regulations aim to enhance technologies associated with reprocessing as well as the related design of the medical devices. And as reprocessing gets more focus and attention, this development will naturally lead to a closer examination of the device design characteristics and relation to life-cycle and fit-for-use properties. Read more ›

Is a Lighter Color Aluminum Hard Coat Thinner than a Darker One?

I have been asked this question often: “Is it always the case that a lighter color hard coat is less thick than a darker one?” While the answer is not simple, I usually respond by saying, “Maybe, but not necessarily.” To explain, let’s start with some basic information. Read more ›

Precision Coating Establishes a PTFE/Teflon® Coating Application Facility in Costa Rica

With an increasing amount of medical device products being produced in Costa Rica, it has become a regional hub for medical device, biotech, and health-care companies, and Costa Rica presents the best combination of operating cost, workforce talent, and logistical advantages in establishing a low-cost PTFE-coating facility. 

The Impact of Foreign Materials on Aluminum Parts before Anodizing

Although simple in principle, there is a lot of confusion over how aluminum parts need to arrive at the metal finisher so that they can be anodized. Any time a component part comes from a completed assembly that has been taken apart, there is a high risk that some other material will come along and interfere with the coating process. Read more ›

The Validated Capabilities of MICRALOX™ Anodic Coating

Third-party test results have validated multiple sterilization capabilities of the revolutionary anodic coating, MICRALOX™. High-performance MICRALOX™ has been tested for use with the STERRAD^® 100NX low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization. The data revealed that MICRALOX™ has significant performance and aesthetic advantages. Anodized aluminum is specially treated, creating billions of microscopic pores that imbed coloring agents within the aluminum itself, which result in incredibly rich and vibrant colors. Coloring an anodized article can be divided into two classes: organic and inorganic. Recent studies of the organic dying of anodic films, conducted by Mark Jozefowicz of Reliant Aluminum Products (PF Product Finishing, 12/1/2013), showed that any organic colors were significantly affected by STERRAD^® sterilization. He suggested that most of the organic dyes should not be used—regardless of the sealing system (see figure below). Read more ›