Master Bond Released UV-Curable Epoxy for Medical Use
The newly released UV16Med-FD system provides medical-grade adhesion with verified non-cytotoxicity.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Materials Science
Master Bond has released UV16Med-FD, a one-part, epoxy-based UV curable system designed for medical applications. The material has successfully passed ISO 10993-5 non-cytotoxicity testing, indicating its suitability for sensitive medical environments.
Why it matters
This release provides a specialized adhesive option for medical device manufacturing that requires both high-temperature durability and verified biological safety standards. By including a fluorescent dye, the material simplifies the inspection process for critical assembly bonds.
The system features a refractive index of 1.511 at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a tensile modulus of 250,000 to 300,000 psi. It achieves a glass transition temperature of 130 to 135 degrees Celsius.
The players
Master Bond
A developer of custom-formulated adhesives, sealants, and coatings primarily for the medical, aerospace, and semiconductor industries.
The details
The UV16Med-FD system cures upon exposure to UV light between 320 and 365 nm at a minimum intensity of 20-40 mW/cm. To achieve maximum resistance to autoclave sterilization—a process that uses pressurized steam to kill microorganisms on equipment—the material requires a post-cure heating cycle at 125 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. The cured epoxy demonstrates chemical resistance to acids, bases, solvents, and ethylene oxide, a common gas used for medical sterilization.
Timeline
Master Bond released the UV16Med-FD system on October 2, 2026.
The Tech Race
Medical adhesive manufacturers increasingly compete on the ability to combine structural rigidity with compliance to ISO 10993-5 standards. This release positions Master Bond within a niche market focused on high-performance materials capable of surviving repeated chemical and heat sterilization.
Medical device manufacturers can immediately integrate this epoxy into assembly workflows requiring chemical and temperature resistance. Its inclusion of a fluorescent dye allows for easier quality control during mass-production visual inspections.
The takeaway
This development highlights the critical role of material-level biological safety in medical hardware manufacturing. Engineering teams should monitor whether this formulation meets the specific autoclave cycle requirements of their existing cleaning protocols.
Further reading
For broader trends in polymer innovation, visit Materials Science.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Optics.
