Medical and personal care — what they are made of
10 medical and personal care objects, broken down.
| Object | Made of |
|---|---|
| Condom | Dipped natural rubber latex, or synthetic polyisoprene or polyurethane for latex allergy — plus silicone lubricant. |
| Surgical mask | Three layers of polypropylene, of which only the electrostatically charged middle one does the filtering. |
| Diaper (nappy) | A superabsorbent polymer that holds many times its own weight in fluid, sandwiched between nonwoven plastic layers. |
| Contact lens | A water-swollen polymer gel — and the whole design problem is getting oxygen through it to the cornea. |
| Dental filling | Either a mercury-silver amalgam or a light-cured resin packed with glass — and the resin shrinks as it sets. |
| Tampon | Compressed cotton, rayon or a blend, with a withdrawal cord and either a cardboard or plastic applicator. |
| Eyeglass lens | Almost never glass — usually CR-39, polycarbonate or a high-index plastic, under several thin coatings. |
| Adhesive bandage (plaster) | A plastic or fabric backing with pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a pad faced with a film that will not stick to the wound. |
| Artificial hip | A titanium or cobalt-chrome stem, a ceramic or metal ball, and a crosslinked polyethylene socket liner that is the wear surface. |
| Syringe | A polypropylene barrel and plunger with a rubber tip seal, and a stainless steel needle on a standard taper. |
- Condom Dipped natural rubber latex, or synthetic polyisoprene or polyurethane for latex allergy — plus silicone lubricant.
- Surgical mask Three layers of polypropylene, of which only the electrostatically charged middle one does the filtering.
- Diaper (nappy) A superabsorbent polymer that holds many times its own weight in fluid, sandwiched between nonwoven plastic layers.
- Contact lens A water-swollen polymer gel — and the whole design problem is getting oxygen through it to the cornea.
- Dental filling Either a mercury-silver amalgam or a light-cured resin packed with glass — and the resin shrinks as it sets.
- Tampon Compressed cotton, rayon or a blend, with a withdrawal cord and either a cardboard or plastic applicator.
- Eyeglass lens Almost never glass — usually CR-39, polycarbonate or a high-index plastic, under several thin coatings.
- Adhesive bandage (plaster) A plastic or fabric backing with pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a pad faced with a film that will not stick to the wound.
- Artificial hip A titanium or cobalt-chrome stem, a ceramic or metal ball, and a crosslinked polyethylene socket liner that is the wear surface.
- Syringe A polypropylene barrel and plunger with a rubber tip seal, and a stainless steel needle on a standard taper.