Application and limitations on thermal and spectroscopic methods for shelf-life prediction

In medical products, shelf-life after thermoplastic processing and sterilization is important, and ionizing radiation has become a preferred sterilization mode for medical devices. We have employed successfully thermal analytical methods to predict shelf-life for many polyolefin materials. However, as the material of construction becoming more sophisticated: multiphase alloys and blends, multi-layer constructions, etc., issues existed that require clarification as to what extent these methodologies are applicable. We have employed thermal analytical methods in conjunction with other spectroscopic and morphological methods to study the applicability and limitation of these techniques. Results combined with real life and simulated aging experiments will be presented in this article.