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Flexdym Pellet Polymer for Mass Production

The Flexdym pellets are ideal for experienced users who have developed a marketable product using this technology and wish to begin mass production or 3D printing. The pellets are sold at different prices based on weight ranges: 1-10 kg, 11-1,000 kg, and 1,001-10,000 kg.
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EM-M-FP0001
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General

Features & Benefits

Microfluidics needs biocompatible and scalable materials for mass production. Academics use PDMS for prototyping, but it lacks scalability, and industry experts prefer thermoplastics, but they are expensive and require harsh bonding treatments. Flexdym pellets solve all of those problems, it is a biocompatible material for microfluidic biomedical devices that is scalable and compatible with injection molding and 3D printing. Flexdym is transparent, has low molecular sorption, and is ideal for cell culture and diagnostic applications. It simplifies commercialization by enabling the use of the same material for prototyping and mass production.

Flexdym is:

  • Biocompatible (ISO 10993 parts 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and UPS Class VI)
  • Self-sealing at ambient temperature
  • Cost-effective
  • Compatible with optical assays: low fluorescence, optically clear
  • No absorption, permeable to gas and not to liquid
  • Resistant to tearing: unlike PDMS, it will not tear apart when you manipulate it.

Flexdym Pellets benefits:

  • Low-cost option for mass production
  • Available per kilo
  • Ideal for commonly used injection molding or 3D printing
  • Can be molded at small scales, suing our Sublym or a hot press, and at large scales using injection molding or 3D printing
  • The injection molding process allows Flexdym devices to be mass produced

General benefits of Flexdym polymer:

Flexdym:

  • is an alternative to any other chip material in the classical applications of microfluidic chips
  • Combines the best properties of elastomers
  • Acts as a pressure sensitive adhesive
  • Can be recycled and reused
  • Has tunable bonding strength

This polymer is particularly interesting in life sciences: its biocompatibility makes it simple to design any experiment. The self-sealing technology is not destructive, unlike plasma, vacuum, or high temperature used to seal other chips. It ensures that biological agents remain viable and functional in your device. Flexdym enables the integration of cells, proteins, enzymes, or any bio-reagents before assembly.

Optical or fluorescence measurements in a chip require using materials that show a high level of transparency (almost 90% transmittance), primarily in the UV and visible range. Flexdym fulfills these conditions. Indeed, it reaches the limit of 50% transmittance (which we considered an acceptable transparency limit) at a wavelength of 295 nm. Flexdym features similar properties to the most transparent materials. This transparency window is sufficiently wide for many fluorophores, particularly the most popular fluorescent Cy3 and Cy5 dyes, which have excitation wavelengths at 550 and 650 nm and emission wavelengths at 570 and 670 nm, respectively.

Top Flexdym Applications

  • Cell culture: Flexdym has lower sorption properties and gas permeability
  • Reversible Seals: Flexdym can bond reversibly to a variety of substrates, acting as an excellent seal on devices
  • Valves: Flexdym has an elongation of 700%
  • Skin-interfacing: Flexdym is a pressure-sensitive adhesive that naturally sticks to the skin
Content

1x 1 kg Flexdym pellet

Specifications

Mechanical properties

Hardness Shore A

35

Specific Gravity

0.9 g/ cm3

Tear Strength 15 kN/m
Tensile Strength 7.6 MPa
Elongation 720 %
Molding Temperature 115 °C - 185 °C
Molding Pressure 35 Torr

Resistance to solvants

Chemicals Resistance

Acids

R
Bases R
Fluorinated Oils R
Methanol/Ethanol R
Carboxilic Acid Swell
Hydrocarbons NR
Oil Swell

Surface properties

Advancing Contact Angle 105° ± 4°
Receding Contact Angle

88° ± 4°

Contact Angle after Plasma Treatment

< 38°

Room temperature bonding

Materials Time (hours) Burst Pressure
Flexdym-Flexdym 1h 600 mbar
Flexdym-Glass 1h 400 mbar

Heat-assisted bonding

Substrate Bonding Temperature (°C) Time (min) Bonding Strength
(burst pressure)
Flexdym 80-85 30 Excellent
(5.5 bar)
PS, COC 95 60 Excellent
PC, PMMA 95 60 Moderate
Glass 95 60-120 Moderate, non-permanent
(720 mbar)
Documentation

Flexdym Brochure

Application Notes Flexdym Bonding

Application Notes Flexdym Connecting

Application Notes Flexdym Molding

References

  1. Lachaux et al., Lab on a Chip 2016, L2017 Jul 25;17(15):2581-2594. doi: 10.1039/c7lc00488e
  2. Perrault et al. Insights on Polymers for Microfluidics Applied to Biomedical Applications
  3. Overview of Materials for Microfluidic Applications, IntechOpen 2016
  4. Roy et al., Lab on a Chip 2015, Lab Chip, 2015,15, 406-416, doi:10.1039/C4LC00947A

FAQ

  • Do I need a heat press for Flexdym?

Yes, most heat presses or hot embossers should work. A press that can mold at a pressure of at least 7 psi / 0.5 bar or above is ideal (a vacuum-assisted press is not required). You may have to make minor adjustments to optimize molding your chips. We offer a user-friendly compact microfabrication kit with a plug-and-play system: Sublym.

  • What size range is reliably micro-molded with Flexdym?

The minimal microchannel width is 50 nm, and the depth range is 50 nm - 1 mm. However, microchannels between 1 µm and 1 mm are recommended with an aspect ratio (height to width) of 3:1 or less. Some customers have also achieved submicron structures and higher aspect ratios.

  • Which mold does Flexdym work best with?

Common molds used in the field of microfluidics work well. These include fragile molds, such as photoresists (e.g., SU‒8), and etched glass and silicon molds. Temperature-resistant epoxy and traditional metallic molds (aluminum, nickel, brass) also work. Silicones such as PDMS also work; however, choose a stiff silicone grade of at least 20 Shore A durometers above Flexdym. We offer EPMO epoxy material to fabricate robust mold suited (up to 6’’ size) for Flexdym molding without the need to treat it with an anti-sticking agent: Epoxym.

  • How do I clean Flexdym?

Isopropyl alcohol, methanol, or distilled water may be used. Flexdym has to be dry (air or oven-dried) before molding to avoid bubbling or splays (cloudiness). Tape is also recommended to remove dust particles. We recommend working with Flexdym in a clean room or under a laminar hood to minimize particle contamination.

  • Is the Flexdym appropriate for my fluorescence applications?

Flexdym material is transparent and has a transmittance of 50% at 295 nm and > 90% in the visible region.

  • How do I mold Flexdym as transparent as possible?

We recommend molding Flexdym using a very smooth mold. Metallic molds should have a mirror finish. Glass or other transparent molds, such as epoxy or other silicones, will ensure a more transparent result.

  • Why do I keep getting tiny bubbles in the plastic when I mold Flexdym?

Your setup is likely too hot, or Flexdym needs to be completely dry. Lower the temperature, decrease molding time, air/oven dry Flexdym, or perform molding in a low humidity condition to minimize bubbling. It may take some trials to optimize micro molding with Flexdym on your setup.

  • What is the most effective way to sterilize Flexdym?

Ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, or autoclave will work.

  • Are Flexdym microfluidic chips used for cell culture?

While Flexdym is less permeable than PDMS, it still has sufficient air permeability to sustain cell cultures. Flexdym grades have been successfully used for neurons, hepatocytes, endothelial, dermal, stem-cells, and IPSCs cell cultures. Flexdym is UPS Class VI and ISO 10993-5 biocompatible certified material (PVC, Latex, and other phthalates free).

  • How do I seal Flexdym microchannels to a substrate?

Flexdym is a self-sealing material that can bond with usual microfluidics thermoplastics materials (such as PC, POC, PS, PP), glass, and Si. The bonding process does not require any plasma-assisted or UV adhesive processes. It can be bonded at room temperature. To reduce the time of bonding and/or to improve the bonding strength, a thermal bonding process can be used (maximum 95°C). Customers have successfully sealed Flexdym by binding it to a substrate and storing the chip in an oven overnight.

  • How do I control the hydrophilicity of Flexdym surfaces?

In its pristine state, Flexdym is slightly hydrophobic. Strategies used on hard plastics to achieve stable hydrophilic surfaces can also be applied to Flexdym surfaces. These strategies include plasma treatment or coatings with hydrophilic materials, such as poly (vinyl alcohol), polyurethane, polyacrylate, (hydroxypropyl) methyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or hyaluronic acid. Multiple vendors offer hydrophilic coatings through licensing models or outsourcing. Key points to consider are the cost structure, the type of coating, the coating application (e.g., dip, spray, spin, film coats), any curing step (e.g., UV or heat), and any post-processing steps (e.g., sterilization, cleaning, or storage conditions) that may affect your final chip.

  • How do I create inlet and outlet holes for my microfluidic channels?

Traditional biopsy punches used with silicones will not work here. Using a rotary/hand punch or a laser cutter is recommended. Self-sealing connection pads have been developed to ensure easy and leak-free connections with any tubing.

  • How do I prevent nonspecific binding?

Methods traditionally used to treat hard plastics generally work with Flexdym as well. For example, coating the surfaces with animal caseins or BSA (bovine serum albumin) has been successfully used.

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Darwin Microfluidics being based in France, ships orders under Delivered At Place (DAP) incoterms. This means that for customers outside the European Union (EU), you are responsible for any applicable customs fees, duties, and taxes in addition to the shipping costs. These charges are determined by your local customs authority and must be paid by you upon the arrival of the shipment in your country.

We recommend contacting your local customs office for detailed information on these charges if you're ordering from outside the EU, as they can vary depending on the destination and the value of your order. Please note that these additional costs are not included in the shipping fees charged by Darwin Microfluidics.

If you've received your order from Darwin Microfluidics and found that a product is defective or missing, please follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Report immediately: Contact our customer service team as soon as possible. Reporting the issue promptly helps us address your concern more efficiently.

Provide details: When you contact us, please provide your order number, the name the order was placed under, and a detailed description of the issue. For defective products, include clear photos or a video that shows the defect.

Review: Our team will review your claim to determine the best course of action. We may ask for additional information or details about the problem.

Resolution: Depending on the situation, we may send a replacement for the defective or missing item, provide a refund, or offer another satisfactory resolution. Our goal is to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.

Follow-up: We will keep you updated throughout the process and confirm when the issue has been resolved to your satisfaction.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by a defective or missing item and are committed to resolving your issue as quickly and smoothly as possible.

At Darwin Microfluidics, our goal is to offer the most competitive prices directly as our list price, ensuring that all our customers receive great value without needing to navigate complex discount structures. Here’s a detailed look at our discount policy:

Competitive list prices: We work hard to ensure our list prices are among the most competitive in the market. This approach allows us to offer fair pricing to all our customers from the start, eliminating the need for frequent discounts.

Quantity-based discounts: For certain products, we offer quantity-based discounts directly on the product pages. These discounts are automatically applied based on the quantity of the product you purchase, providing savings for bulk purchases without the need for special codes or negotiations.

Bulk orders: While we strive to offer the best prices upfront, we understand that customers making large-scale purchases may have special considerations. In such cases, we invite you to discuss your needs with our sales team. Depending on the size and nature of your order, we may be able to offer tailored discounts or pricing adjustments.

We believe in transparency and simplicity in pricing, allowing you to make your purchases with confidence, knowing you're receiving a fair deal without the hassle of negotiating discounts. If you have any questions about pricing or discounts for bulk orders, please don't hesitate to reach out to our sales team for personalized assistance.

Please follow our returns & refund page.

Since Darwin Microfluidics sells exclusively to companies and institutions and is based in France, the VAT treatment for your orders depends on the location of your company or institution:

Within the EU (excluding France): For customers in other EU countries, the reverse charge mechanism applies. This means that VAT is not charged by us at the point of sale. Instead, it is your responsibility to account for the VAT at the standard rate applicable in your country under the reverse charge procedure. This process helps simplify cross-border transactions within the EU.

In France: For customers located in France, standard French VAT rates apply to all purchases. As a France-based company, we are required to charge VAT on sales to other French companies and institutions, which you can then reclaim according to local VAT procedures if applicable.

Outside the EU: For customers outside the European Union, sales are not subject to VAT by us. However, you may be subject to import duties, taxes, and charges that are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and vary by country. We advise checking with your local customs office for more information.

Please ensure your VAT identification number is provided during the ordering process for EU transactions to qualify for the reverse charge mechanism. If you have any questions regarding VAT charges or need further assistance with VAT-related issues, please contact our customer service team.

We are unable to provide specific estimates for customs fees, duties, or taxes associated with your order. These charges are determined by the customs authority in your country and can vary based on a variety of factors, including the type of items purchased, their value, and the country to which they are being shipped.

We recommend contacting your local customs office directly to get the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding potential customs charges for your order. They can provide you with detailed guidelines on the fees you might expect to pay based on the products you're importing from us.

Please remember, these charges are the responsibility of the recipient and are not included in the shipping costs paid to Darwin Microfluidics.

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