COC-TOPAS 5013
Substituting optical glass and quartz in microfluidic chips, labware, and diagnostic cuvettes without compromising heat resistance during high-temperature PCR protocols requires an ultra-pure amorphous polymer, which Polyplastics’ TOPAS 5013S-04 Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) delivers. Featuring a density of 1.02 g/cm³ and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 130°C, this USP Class VI and ISO 10993 compliant resin provides 92% light transmittance, ultra-low birefringence, and a nearly non-existent moisture absorption of 0.01%. Jucheng Precision, under ISO 13485 certified medical frameworks, specializes in micro-molding TOPAS 5013. Supported by certified ISO Class 7/8 cleanrooms and in-house 5-axis CNC-machined S136 stainless steel tooling, we guarantee zero-particulate contamination and pristine detail replication verified by Zeiss CMM.
TOPAS 5013S-04 Optical Clarity & Regulatory Compliance Profile
TOPAS® 5013S-04 is a high flow, unreinforced amorphous Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) resin engineered by Polyplastics, certified to deliver outstanding light transmission, low birefringence, and high heat resistance for MedTech applications:
| Physical & Optical Attribute | TOPAS 5013S-04 Value | MedTech & Optical Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Light Transmittance | 92.0% Optical Transmission (at 589nm) | Delivers glass-matching transparency and high refractive index directly from polished mold cavities, ideal for diagnostic cuvettes. |
| Extreme Hydrophobicity | Water Absorption 0.010% (at 23°C saturation) | Virtually non-hygroscopic. Excludes environmental moisture swelling or volume shifting, preventing micro-volume diagnostic errors. |
| Thermal Softening | Vicat B50 Softening Temp 125°C | Maintains absolute structural stiffness and flat dimensional replication up to 130°C, fully resisting 95°C thermal PCR cycles. |
Biocompatible Process Configurations for Easy-Flow TOPAS 5013
With outstanding melt fluidity and amorphous stability, TOPAS 5013S-04 processes consistently inside microfluidic tools:
| Molding Process Category | Process Compatibility & Operational Details |
|---|---|
| Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip | Excellent. The primary process for TOPAS 5013. Optimized for multi-cavity, ultra-thin-walled medical diagnostics and biochips down to 0.1mm channels. |
| Precision Cuvettes & Microplates | Excellent. Highly compatible with high-speed automated runs, providing low-noise optical windows and excellent chemical-solvent resistance. |
| High-Accuracy Lenses & Optics | Excellent. Low dielectric constant and low birefringence are perfect for molding precise spherical lenses and optical diffusers. |
Optical Birefringence & Microfluidic Control Matrix
Molding an amorphous high-purity, easy-flow polymer like TOPAS 5013S-04 requires strict particulate controls and specialized tooling to prevent optical strain:
Low Birefringence & Stress Prevention
High melt shear during injection causes internal molding stresses, resulting in birefringence (rainbow refraction effects). Jucheng’s tooling division uses 5-axis CNC machines to cut precise runner geometries, applying slow, uniform packing pressures to prevent optical stress marks.
S136 Mirror-Polished Tooling (Purity Preservation)
Any microscopic tool mark on core or cavity surfaces will scatter light and compromise optical clarity. We build molds using high-chromium S136 stainless steel, mirror-polished to a high level using clean diamond paste, ensuring non-porous biocompatible part surfaces with zero particulates.
Pressurized Oil Mold Temperature Control
We maintain mold temperatures at 95°C–125°C (203°F to 257°F) using pressurized temperature controllers. High mold temperatures maximize surface gloss, reduce weld lines, and completely prevent weld-line stress cracking near intricate snap-fits.
Mandatory Desiccant Pre-Drying Protocol
Though COC absorbs virtually zero water, pre-drying raw material in clean-air desiccant hopper dryers at 100°C (212°F) for 6 hours is mandatory to prevent surface splay, dynamic micro-voids, and loss of transparent optical quality during high-speed runs.
Key Application Fields for COC-TOPAS 5013
- Medical Diagnostics & Microfluidics: High-density microfluidic diagnostic chips, lab-on-a-chip diagnostic devices, cuvettes, assay plates, and pre-filled syringe barrels.
- High-End Optics & Lenses: Spherical and aspherical optical lenses, protective camera covers, light guides, and light diffusion plates.
- High-Tech Electronic Enclosures: Low dielectric constant chip carrier trays, semiconductor handling packaging, and transparent display window plates.
Properties
| Density | 1.02 g/cm³ |
| Melt Volume-Flow Rate (MVR) (260°C/2.16kg) | 48 cm³/10min |
| Tensile Modulus (1mm/min) | 3,200 MPa |
| Tensile Stress at Break (5mm/min) | 46 MPa |
| Tensile Strain at Break (5mm/min) | 1.7 % |
| Charpy Impact Strength (Unnotched, 23°C) | 13 kJ/m² |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength (23°C) | 1.6 kJ/m² |
| Light Transmittance (3.0 mm) | 92 % |
| Refractive Index | 1.533 - |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | 130 °C |
| Vicat Softening Point (B/50) | 125 °C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | 130 °C |
| Water Absorption (23°C Saturation) | 0.01 % |
| Linear Mold Shrinkage | 0.40 - 0.70 % |
| Maximum Part Size (Cleanroom limit) | 600 x 400 mm |
| Minimum Part Size (Microfluidic channel limit) | 0.1 x 0.1 mm |