Boost Medical Device Performance with TENAC™ Q5010: Wear, Fatigue, and Safety in One

In the competitive and highly regulated world of medical device manufacturing, engineers are constantly challenged to design components that are precise, durable, and safe—without compromising efficiency or compliance.

Mechanical parts in devices such as insulin pens, asthma inhalers, and diagnostic tools must withstand repetitive use, resist wear and fatigue, and deliver long-lasting, defect-free performance. For OEMs and contract manufacturers, the materials behind these components can be the difference between reliability and costly recalls.

That’s where TENAC™ Q5010, a medium-viscosity polyacetal (POM) homopolymer from Asahi Kasei, shines.

High Performance Where It Matters Most

Medical device internals are exposed to frequent actuation, sliding, rotation, and mechanical load. Not all materials can maintain their integrity under these conditions. TENAC™ Q5010 offers a unique combination of:

• High fatigue strength – ideal for spring-loaded or reciprocating components
  
  
• Outstanding wear resistance – reduces abrasion in sliding or rotating parts
  
  
• Low friction coefficient – ideal for moving components that require smooth, low-noise function
  
  
• Dimensional stability – maintains tight tolerances for micro-mechanical assemblies
  
  
• Chemical resistance – performs reliably in the presence of disinfectants, alcohols, or cleaning agents

This makes Q5010 a great fit for moving parts in hand-held devices, cartridges, gear systems, plungers, and dosing mechanisms.

Designed for Precision and Safety

Because of its molecular structure and processing characteristics, TENAC™ Q5010 delivers exceptionally consistent shot-to-shot quality, which is essential for tight tolerance injection molded parts.

More importantly, it does so while meeting key medical safety standards:

• ISO 10993-5 compliant (cytotoxicity)
  
  
• USP Class VI certified
  
  
• FDA Drug Master File registered

These standards confirm that Q5010 is safe for use in non-implantable medical components and ensure smoother validation for medical applications.

Applications in Action

Here are a few of the ways medical manufacturers use TENAC™ Q5010:

• Insulin Pens – consistent plunger movement, zero contamination, long-term repeatability
  
  
• Asthma Inhalers – smooth actuator action and snap-fit integrity
  
  
• Diagnostic Equipment – robust housing for mechanical test strips or sampling parts
  
  
• Dosing Systems – gears and push mechanisms that require minimal friction and high precision
  
  
• Valve Components – low wear, fatigue resistance, and chemical compatibility

In each of these applications, material failure isn’t an option. That’s why engineers turn to materials with a proven track record of performance and compliance—like Q5010.

Reduce Risk, Extend Product Life

Fatigue, microcracks, wear debris, or dimensional instability can lead to part failure, customer dissatisfaction, and product recalls. Choosing a high-performance resin like TENAC™ Q5010 helps extend the functional life of your devices and reduce risk over time.

Plus, its processing consistency means fewer surprises in the molding process—helping you lower scrap rates, improve productivity, and increase profitability.

Ready to Upgrade Your Medical Components?

If your current resin is falling short in any of these performance areas, TENAC™ Q5010 offers a safe, compliant, and reliable upgrade path. It’s designed to exceed expectations in high-demand applications, giving you peace of mind from production through patient use.

If you're looking for expert guidance on selecting durable, high-performance medical materials, our team is available to help.    Contact us today to learn more about how our engineered plastics can power your next project.