Medical device deburring for PEEK implants with cryogenic deburring

The polymer polyetheretherketone, more commonly known as PEEK, is becoming increasingly popular within the medical device industry and, in particular, the implantable arena. PEEK, an organic polymer thermoplastic, weighs less and is more compatible with diagnostic imaging. PEEK also improves the biocompatibility of load-bearing implants such as spinal cages, bone screws and knee replacements. PEEK offers other advantages as well, but injection molding or plastic machining can leave residual flash or burrs. Without proper finishing, issues during medical device assembly or implant usage may occur.     

Manual or hand deburring doesn’t require the use of production equipment but is time-consuming to perform. According to some PEEK implant manufacturers, workers may need 15 minutes to deburr just one part. Manual deburring can also introduce issues with quality and consistency. With any implant material, medical device manufacturers must meet tight tolerances. They also need ensure that parts deburred on a Monday morning have the same surface quality as parts deburred on a Friday afternoon.  

Cryogenic Deburring for Medical Devices

Cryogenic deburring is a batch process that provides a fast, efficient, and consistent alternative to hand deburring. Instead of deburring one part every 15 minutes, multiple parts are deburred at the same time. Cryogenic deburring also ensures cleanliness and protects the structural integrity of implant components. As a medical device surface finishing technique, this cryogenic service can even improve the surface quality of small cross-holes that need to accommodate implant fasteners.

Cryogenic deburring also improves consistency because it’s an automated process. Unlike manual medical device deburring, there’s no variability among workers – or between parts deburred by the same worker on different days. Instead, parts are placed in a chamber, cooled, and impacted with polycarbonate media. Depending on the application requirements, non-abrasive media from 0.015” (smallest) to 0.060” (largest) is used. Edge are maintained without rounding or other unwanted material removal.

Better Medical Device Deburring for PEEK Implants

For better medical deburring, the Cryogenic Institute of New England invites you to learn more about its value-added Nitrofreeze® services. If your PEEK implant is a viable candidate for our fast, consistent, and cost-effective technology, we can perform sampling for proof-of-concept. The consultation is free of charge. To learn more about cryogenic deburring for PEEK implants, contact Nitrofreeze at the phone number and email listed below.

(508) 459-7447 x109
info@nitrofreeze.com