| The present study was carried out in order to obtain a cost-effective replacement for a high-volume oral hygiene product: a toothbrush handle. The research effort concentrated upon reviewing a number of transparent polymers. Clarity was identified as one of the key requirements in the material selection process. One problem with the handle material that is currently used, cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) is that it has a natural, yellowish tinge. It is also relatively difficult to obtain the requisite colors for the final product. The relatively high cost of CAP was also a cause to validate an alternative material. Another potential issue was that it was available through a single resin supplier.;In an effort to find a suitable material, a variety of alternatives was critically reviewed for functional performance including clarity, stiffness, toughness, and chemical resistance as well as manufacturing economics, along with FDA and toxicity issues. The materials considered for possible replacement of CAP were methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly ethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG).;Based on these test results, it was determined that the more widely used CAP could not be replaced by conventional PMMA based on its functional characteristics. MABS seemed promising, but it did not match the economic requirements of the product. PETG had an issue with its processability. Other than that, it was identified as a good alternative material for this application. |
