Hydromer is ISO 9001:2015 certified with TUV Rheinland of North America. ISO 13485:2016 is certified with BSI. 

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FDA registered. Hydromer is ISO 9001:2015 certified with TUV Rheinland of North America. ISO 13485:2016 is certified with BSI.

NFXTM Series

NFX-VersaTM

Polymer Lubricity Platform

NFX-VersaTM is a versatile PFAS-free bulk-material modification technology for medical-grade thermoplastics. A lubricity-enhancing additive is integrated during compounding and extrusion to reduce friction while retaining the key properties and processability of the base polymer. NFX-VersaTM offers an integrated lubricity solution for medical thermoplastics, complementing conventional polymers, lubricious coatings and PTFE liners.

Key Attributes:

  • Multiple Medical Polymer Platforms.
  • Radiopaque Filler Compatible (BaSO4, Tungsten, Bismuth Trioxide).
  • Sterilization Compatibility (EO, E-beam, Gamma, and Steam).
  • Thin-Wall Extrusion.
  • Complex Geometries.
  • Application-Specific Optimization.
  • Potential Cost Advantage.
NFX-Versa modified medical-grade polymer tubing in clear and natural finishes with built-in lubricity

Performance Advantages

Enhanced Bulk Lubricity

Reduced friction through bulk polymer modification while maintaining the underlying polymer's key mechanical characteristics.

PFAS-Free Formulation Approach

Non-fluorinated lubricity approach for medical-grade thermoplastics.

Non-Migratory Lubricity

No detectable leachables under specified FDA-referenced migration testing (100°C / 2 h and 40°C / 10 days), including after 5-year accelerated aging and E-beam, Gamma, and EO sterilization. Particulate levels remained within applicable safety limits following aging, sterilization, and abrasion testing.

Material & Design Flexibility

Lubricity can be optimized with mechanical, thermal, bonding and processing requirements for complex extrusion structures.

Typical Applications:

  • Specialized Extruded Components
  • Catheter Shafts & Jackets
  • Telescoping Sections
  • Delivery Systems
  • Introducer & Sheath Systems
  • Sliding Shafts & Components
  • Guidewire Interfaces
  • Thin-Wall & Multi-Lumen Tubing
  • Device Sub-Assemblies

Material Compatibility:

  • Pebax® (PA12-based and others)
  • TPU (all medical grades)
  • Polyamide (PA6, PA11, PA12)
  • PET
  • PBT
  • TPEE
  • PPSU
  • PEI
  • PEEK
  • PE
  • HDPE
  • LDPE
  • PP

Technical Performance

NFX-VersaTM demonstrates reduced coefficient of friction (COF)
across selected Pebax® and HDPE systems while retaining key mechanical characteristics.

Key Performance Metrics

Standard clear Pebax 7233 tubing beside NFX-Versa modified Pebax 7233, showing a slight tonal shift
Colored Pebax 7233 tubing beside NFX-Versa modified Pebax 7233 with a matching appearance

Clear NFX-VersaTM modified Pebax®  7233 may exhibit a tonal shift compared to standard clear Pebax® 7233, indicating incorporation of the lubricity modifier.

With colorant added, NFX-VersaTM modified Pebax® 7233 maintains an appearance consistent with standard Pebax® 7233.

Appearance

Bar chart of dynamic COF for Pebax 7233 and HDPE with and without NFX-Versa, before and after sterilization, versus PTFE
Bar chart comparing elongation and tensile strength change in Pebax 7233 with NFX-Versa and other additive modifications
Chart of Shore D hardness across PEBA grades 7433 to 2533, pure resin vs NFX-Versa, instantaneous and 15 second readings
01 - Lower COF
Up to 45% lower COF across Pebax® 7233 and HDPE, with performance maintained after sterilization.
02 - Mechanical Integrity
Mechanical strength and elongation are preserved, with only ~1-2% change for NFX-Versa TM modified Pebax® 7233.
03 - Tunable Material Response

Predictable Shore D shift across evaluated PEBA grades, enabling formulation adjustment for target flexibility and mechanical requirements.

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