15 Apr 2003
Victrex® PEEK™ polymer components contribute to dentistry “without lubrication”
When Star Dental of Pennsylvania, USA, was designing its low-speed Titan air motors to power a line of dental attachments, it needed a material for the sliding vanes and bushings that would not require lubrication. Star Dental chose a carbon fibre compounded grade of Victrex® PEEK™ polymer, a high-performance thermoplastic, because of its inherent lubricity and its ability to withstand repeated sterilisation.
According to Engineering Manager Bill Guscott, "Star Dental is committed to "lubrication-free" dentistry. We wanted to eliminate the hassle of having to lubricate the motor in between patient visits. By using Victrex® PEEK™ polymer for the components, we are able to eliminate the high cost and mess of repeated lubrication. Furthermore, we can ensure that no residual lubricant is expelled into the patient's mouth."
A major factor in the decision to use Victrex® PEEK™ polymer is its ability to withstand the repeated sterilisation cycles required of all dental equipment. "Because we offer a one-year warranty," says Guscott, "We needed to make sure that the components could withstand being autoclaved at 121°C (250°F) or 135°C (275°F), or chemiclaved at 132°C (270°F). We tested Victrex® PEEK™ polymer's performance after 1,000 cycles, which is typical of moderate to heavy use within a year, and found no loss of mechanical properties. In addition, we discovered that the absence of residual lubricating oil coating actually facilitates the sterilisation process."
The Victrex® PEEK™ polymer vanes are located in the motor, which operates at 20,000 rpm. The bushings are located in the adapter. To maintain the optimum power of the equipment, both components are moulded to exacting standards involving dimensional tolerances of less than 12.7μ including flash.
According to Chris Chapman, Sales Manager at Allegheny Plastics, the company that moulds the sliding vanes and bushings, "Both components are moulded in multi-cavity moulds and use cavity pressure transducers and hot runner technology to minimize material scrap and increase manufacturing efficiencies. Due to the small size of these components, we use sophisticated, high powered optical equipment throughout the manufacturing process to ensure parts are supplied within specification parameters."
Star Dental is a division of DentalEZ, a major supplier of dental systems for dental offices worldwide.
Reader enquiries
Helen SwarbrickVictrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom
Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
Notes for editors
Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £59m in the last financial year. The company exports 97 percent of its Victrex® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com
The PEEK™ Trademark
For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyetheretherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the Victrex® PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
Victrex® PEEK™ polymer components contribute to dentistry “without lubrication”
(Photo Victrex® PEEK™ VXPR165E0403)
