Trelleborg Showcases Process Innovations and Unveils Seal-Glide for Medical Device Makers at MD&M West

Advanced silicone extrusion methods, custom silicone sheeting, and new nano-scale coating for elastomers can help device makers overcome design challenges


ANAHEIM, Calif. and FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trelleborg Sealing Solutions highlights innovative silicone processing and medical device solutions, and introduces new nanoscale coating, Seal-Glide, during MD&M West at booth #2819.

Jeff Ribley, Segment Manager of Healthcare & Medical Americas, says: “Our customers face a variety of challenges when it comes to sealing solutions for medical applications. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions will be giving MD&M West attendees insights into the many ways advanced silicone and coating technologies provide them with more design flexibility, and superior installation and functional performance.”

Advanced Silicone Extrusion

GeoTrans® extrusion technology gives Trelleborg Sealing Solutions the ability to vary the cross-section of a silicone extrusion in a continuous process and without the need for secondary assembly, bonding or overmolding. GeoTrans can be customized to produce a wide variety of options. These include changes to inside and outside diameter, and different wall thickness of tubes, bifurcation of lumen tubes and incorporation of grooved features for mating in assemblies or channels, as in wound drains, for example.

Trelleborg’s engineering expertise extends further to customized extrusions that can include a continuous twist for strain and noise reduction when assembled with conductors, as well as incorporation of reinforcing coils or braids for kink, crush and burst resistance.  Formed extrusions with bends, coils, and pigtails in single or multiple planes can also be created.

Silicone Sheeting Expertise

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions manufactures custom, precision sheeting from a variety of silicone materials including high-consistency silicone rubber (HCR), liquid silicone rubber (LSR), gels, dispersions and adhesives. A number of silicones can be produced in multiple layers for a range of applications, such as custom dermal adhesive gel products for wound management and scar reduction.

Laminated sheets with vulcanized and unvulcanized layers facilitate downstream assembly for applications such as patches for tissue expanders and mammary devices.  Mesh-reinforcement is often integrated to improve tensile strength or for anchoring applications such as sewing rings on artificial heart valves.

Silicone sheets are regularly cut or slit to desired size or punched into custom shapes to serve as seals, gaskets or diaphragms.

New Seal-Glide nanoscale coating

Seal-Glide is an exceptionally thin elastomer coating at the nano-scale and its layer thickness is reduced by a factor of 10 to 50 compared to conventional coating systems. However, it greatly reduces the coefficient of friction of elastomers, improving their sliding properties for better seal performance and increased service life. Automated installation of sealing systems is facilitated and the coating highly stable in sterilization with gamma rays, ethylene oxide, and superheated steam.

To find out more about these solutions visit booth 2819 at MD&M West or go to www.trelleborg-lifesciences.com.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Group

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is one of the world’s leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers of precision seals, bearings and custom-molded polymer components. It focuses on meeting the most demanding needs of aerospace, automotive and general industrial customers with innovative solutions. Its network extends to over 25 production facilities and more than 50 marketing companies globally. The business area accelerates the progress of its customers through outstanding local support, an unrivalled product range including patented products and proprietary materials, a portfolio of established brands, unique process offerings, its Service PLUS value chain solution and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ philosophy. www.tss.trelleborg.com

Trelleborg is a world leader in engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect critical applications in demanding environments. Its innovative solutions accelerate performance for customers in a sustainable way. The Trelleborg Group has annual sales of SEK 31 billion (EUR 3.23 billion, USD 3.60 billion) and operations in about 50 countries. The Group comprises five business areas: Trelleborg Coated Systems, Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Offshore & Construction, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Wheel Systems, and the operations of Rubena and Savatech. The Trelleborg share has been listed on the Stock Exchange since 1964 and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap. www.trelleborg.com

For more information or high-resolution images, please contact:
Tony O’Neil
Marketing & Communications Manager
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Americas
Tel: +1 260 748‐5752
Email: tony.oneil@trelleborg.com

Press release distributed in the Americas by:
Dawn Fontaine
Ripple Effect Communications 

Tel: + 1 617 536-8887
Email: Dawn@RippleEffectPR.com