Invibio's PEEK-CLASSIX Meets Hygienic Requirements For Inductive Conductivity Sensors
Thornton-Cleveleys, UK - Invibio Biomaterial Solutions, a global provider of high-performance biomaterials to the medical device market, recently announced that Endress+Hauser Conducta, Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH+Co. KG has selected Invibio PEEK-CLASSIX polymer for a sensor specifically developed for the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. 
The CLS54 sensor measures the conductivity, or ion concentration, in liquids. This also allows determination of the specific resistivity and the concentration of salines, bases and acids in the liquid. The sensor is especially suitable for phase separation of product/water mixtures and product monitoring in pipe systems, bottling plants and quality assurance, and leakage monitoring.
Due to the high pressure loads, Endress+Hauser selected PEEK polymer to completely encapsulate the sensor. This material features excellent chemical and thermal resistance characteristics and it fulfils high hygiene and cleaning requirements due to its smooth surface.
In order to meet the material demands of the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry and to extend its product range, Endress+Hauser is now offering a variant of their Indumax H CLS54 type which is composed of Invibio's PEEK-CLASSIX polymer. PEEK-CLASSIX fulfils the requirements of the US Pharmacopeia Class VI and ISO 10993 as well as FDA regulations for repeated food contact.
The use of PEEK-CLASSIX ensures that all chemical resistance requirements of the sensor are met. The polymer has excellent chemical resistance to all common solvents, acids and bases which enables sensor application in direct contact with aggressive media.
The demands placed on the sensor are high, with continuous use temperature between 10°C and +125°C, pressures of up to 12 bar at 60°C, up to 8 bar at 120°C and vacuums down to 0.1 bar absolute pressure. PEEK-CLASSIX's high temperature performance enables sterilization over a period of 60 minutes at 150°C and 5 bar without impairing the sensor.
The injection-molded sensor coated with high performance PEEK-CLASSIX is milled to remove the sprue, thus making it completely free of any joints or gaps and, consequently, absolutely hygienically clean. The smooth surface with a roughness of Ra≤0.8µm is easy to clean and prevents the deposit of particles and liquid contamination. According to Invibio, the exclusive use of PEEK-CLASSIX as the product-contacting material guarantees the very highest level of safety in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry.
Because PEEK-CLASSIX polymer can be processed by injection molding, Endress+Hauser has been able to automate their Indumax H CLS54 production process. The ALLROUNDER 420 C 1000-350 facility comprises a fully integrated periphery including a hot runner mold for temperature sensor coating. The embedding of the sensor in the PEEK body eliminates the use of seals and increases the sensor's service life.
SOURCE: Invibio