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By Sophie Naud
An overview of our thermoplastic options to help you identify the best fit for your application.
You’ve designed your device – now it’s time to choose the material that will make it successful. Choosing the right thermoplastic early on can ensure reliable performance and smooth scaling, but choosing the wrong one can compromise your results. We help you make that decision with confidence.
All devices are manufactured in production-grade thermoplastics for maximum biological compatibility and optical performance. Each material offers distinct advantages depending on your application needs.
| Key Performance Factors | PMMA | PC | COP* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biocompatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Acetone | No | No | Yes |
| Optically transparent cap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UV transparent cap option | Yes | No | No |
| Heat resistance (glass transition temperature) |
Maybe 105ºC | Yes 146ºC | Yes 134ºC-136ºC |
| Ethanol resistance | Maybe | Yes | Yes |
| Acid and base resistance | Maybe | Maybe | Yes |
| Fats and organic oils resistance | Yes | Yes | Maybe |
| Low autofluorescence | Maybe | Maybe | Yes |
| Surface behavior | Slightly hydrophilic | Neutral | Neutral to slightly hydrophobic |
| Example use case | Single-use diagnostic cartridge for UV-based detection. |
Reusable cell culture chip requiring ethanol sterilization and heat resistance. |
High-precision drug screening chip for fluorescence-based applications. |
* All devices use the same material for the fluidic layer, cap, and components, except for COP devices, which use a COC cap for optimal bond strength. Detailed specs on COC can be found on the Materials page.