Development of lubricious compound for biomedical applications using hydrophilic polymers

An attempt was made to develop blends having self lubricating properties. The approach was to melt blend various base polymers used in the medical industry with hydrophilic polymers known to impart lubricity when applied on the surface as coatings. Different base polymers used were polyurethane, nylons and polyethylene. Hydrophilic polymers used were polyethylene oxide, polyethyl oxazoline, ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. These polymers were melt-blended at concentrations of 25% and 50% using a twin screw extruder. Rheology, compatibility, coefficient of friction and mechanical properties were studied.; Polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethyl oxazoline at 25% loading were the most successful materials in reducing the coefficient of friction without much reduction seen in the mechanical properties. Ethyl cellulose reduced the coefficient of friction but elongation was reduced drastically. Polyethylene oxide was found to be the least compatible material. Results with polyethylene as the base material showed no reduction in coefficient of friction.