Specialty polymers supplier Solvay (Alpharetta, GA) has added 30% carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to its Solviva portfolio of healthcare materials. Suited for implantable device applications, the radiolucent Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK polymer features a modulus similar to cortical bone. Unlike implantable metals, the material can help implants minimize the reduction in bone density by maintaining normal stress on surrounding bone tissue, according to Solvay.
Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK is twice as strong as unmodified PEEK, making it a candidate for structural, load-bearing, implantable devices used in spine, hip and knee replacements. This quality allows designers to reduce the size and scale of their implanted devices to make them less intrusive. Like unmodified PEEK, it offers creep resistance and withstands prolonged fatigue strain. Read more>
