High Performance Plastics

Compression Molded PAI

Ensinger Inc. now offers compression molded polyamide-imide (PAI) shapes under the brand name TECAPAI CM. Ensinger uses authentic Torlon® PAI powder supplied by Solvay Specialty Polymers.

The product line offers excellent strength and stiffness at high temperature along with outstanding wear performance and excellent dielectric properties. Users will find applications in a wide variety of industries including semiconductor, oil and gas, and aerospace.

TECAPAI is currently offered in four grades: TECAPAI CM XP403 is unreinforced and excellent for electrical applications that require dielectric properties; TECAPAI CM XP530 is a glass filled version designed for challenging applications requiring a combination of properties such as test sockets; TECAPAI CM XP730 is carbon filled and perfect for aerospace applications that demand high strength to weight ratios; and TECAPAI CM XP440 is a specialty bearing grade that has been engineered for labyrinth seal applications found in compressors and pumps.

Imagination will be your only limitation as you seek applications for the TECAPAI CM product line in many high-tech sectors. The well-known, and widely respected Torlon PAI base polymer has been used extensively for many years in challenging applications with severe environments, and is a proven performer.

For more information, contact Mike Tustin, Ensinger, Inc., 365 Meadowlands Blvd., Washington, PA 15301, 800-243-3221/856-227-0500, Fax: 724-746-9209, Email: mtustin@ensinger-ind.com, Web: www.ensingerplastics.com.

High-Performance Polymers

King Plastic has over 20 product brands for a wide variety of applications. Their high-performance polymers help the food processing and packaging industry see improved efficiency and performance. Machine parts made with their King Plastic polymer sheets operate clean without contamination, lubricants, rust or corrosion. The material is easy to clean and resistant to harsh chemicals. Applications include: wear guides, chutes, star wheels, machine parts, and more.

Their product line includes: King StarBoard® ST the polymer building sheet that lasts a lifetime; King ColorBoard® a colorful environmentally stabilized polymer sheet; King ColorCore® a multi-color engravable polymer sheet; and King Hy-Pact® a super tough industrial polymer sheet.

For more information, contact Michael Fabbri, King Plastic Corporation, 1100 N. Toledo Blade Blvd., North Port, FL 34288, 941-493-5502, Fax: 941-497-3274, Email: sales@kingplastic.com, Web: www.kingplastic.com.

High Performance Rod & Plate

Quanta™ PEKK (polyetherketoneketone) stock shapes of rod and plate are extruded by Quantum Polymers in Newark, DE using Kepstan® 8001 (unfilled) PEKK resin manufactured by leading specialty polymer producer ARKEMA.

Kepstan PEKK is a member of the PAEK (polyaryletherketone) family of polymers that also includes PEEK, PEK, and PEKEKK. Polyaryletherketones have been described as the world’s highest performing truly thermoplastic polymers. Kepstan PEKK offers a further unique characteristic as its crystallinity is tunable. This means that ARKEMA may tailor specific properties during polymer production in order to meet the specific needs of the final application.

Quanta PEKK stock shapes offer benefits over those produced using PEEK in terms of higher tensile modulus and yield stress, higher compression modulus and higher compressive stress, and lower dry wear at elevated temperature. Kepstan PEKK has higher Tg (glass transition temperature) and Tm (melt temperature) than PEEK. Properties shared with PEEK include excellent chemical resistance, toughness and outstanding fatigue resistance.

Industries served by Quanta PEKK stock shapes include Aerospace, Oil and Gas, and Chemical Processing. Quantum’s rods and plates are hot air annealed for dimensional stability and low residual stress. Annealing is critical for ease of machining and final part surface smoothness. Quanta™ PEKK stock shapes are easily machined to tight tolerances and precise components.

Rods are available from 1/2” to 4” diameter. Plates are available from 3/8” to 3” thick in widths 12”, 18” and 24” wide.

Kepstan is a registered trademark owned by Arkema.

For more information, contact Renee Ebersole, Quantum Polymers Corporation, 211 Executive Dr., Ste. 1, Newark, DE 19702, 877-737-7012, Fax: 302-737-7035, E-mail: sales@quantum-polymers.com, Web: www.quantum-polymers.com.

High Performance Profiles

Petro Extrusion Tech., Inc. is an extruder of most thermoplastic materials, including several high performance materials such as PVDF (Solef® 460), Trogamid® transparent amorphous nylon 12 and nylons 6 & 12.

Extruded Solef PVDF material is an FDA grade resin with high temperature resistance and good chemical resistance, available in a wide variety of stock in custom sizes, which can be produced according to customer specifications. This material is natural in color and is semi rigid.

Evonik Trogamid T-5000 nylon is a transparent, rigid nylon, with a clear, amber colored tint. It can be extruded in a variety of tubes, round, square, or rectangular, as needed. It offers good chemical resistance, high mechanical stability and good electrical properties. It is transparent unlike most opaque nylon grades.

Petro also extrudes nylon 6 & 12. Nylon 6 offers good heat resistance, along with good chemical resistance, and toughness. It is available in tubing or profile shapes, and is available in a variety of stock profile shapes. Nylon 6 is available in both FDA and heat-stabilized grades. Standard nylon 6 can vary in color from white translucent to a beige opaque color.

Nylon12 has even higher heat resistance then nylon 6, and is available in FDA grades, as well as flexible grades, and heat stabilized grades. Nylon 12 has better hydrolytic stability and has a white/translucent color.

For more information, contact Mike Patterson or Julie Hanan, Petro Extrusion Technologies, Inc., 205B Hallock Ave., Middlesex, NJ 08846, 800-229-3338/908-789-3338, Fax: 908-789-0434, E-mail: sales@petroextrusions.com, Web: www.petroextrusions.com.

TPO Family

Primex Plastics offers the Tuff-X family of products. Tuff-X, TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is a compounded alloy of polypropylene, elastomers and mineral fillers. TPO has advanced a great deal over the last several years and is much easier to process and provides exceptional properties. Tuff-X offers a unique balance of stiffness and low thermal expansion contraction (CLTE) as well as excellent impact, weatherability and chemical resistance. Primex offers Tuff-X in a variety of constructions with Flex Modulus ranging from 280,000 PSI up to 500,000 PSI. The material is available in an ultra-low gloss up to their extreme gloss with excellent depth of image. Custom colors and a variety of surfaces and soft touch feels are also available.

Primex extrudes plastic sheet using polystyrene, polyethylene, ABS, polypropylene and polyester in addition to an assortment of specialty products to serve a wide range of industries. Primex is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICC Industries.

For more information, contact Tim Schultz, Primex Plastics Corporation, 1235 North F Street, Richmond, IN 47374, 800-222-5116/765-973-0108, E-mail: tschultz@primexplastics.com, Web: www.primexplastics.com.

Thin Gauge Sheet

ENSINGER Penn Fibre is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of high performance and engineering polymers in extruded plastic sheets, coils, strips and punched parts. Ensinger Penn Fibre extrudes thin gauge plastic sheets from .031” to .250” thick at up to 24” wide and sheets from .062” to .250” thick at up to 48” wide. Stock sheets standard length of 96” and most stock sheets ship in one to two days. Custom runs ship in 4 to 5 weeks on 24” wide products and 6 to 8 weeks on 48” wide products. Coils are manufactured from .010” to .125” thick and slit widths from .250” to 24” wide. Punched parts and CNC parts are also produced from various thickness of coils and strips.

Acetal - TECAFORM® and Delrin® in Nat, Black and Colors, Nylon, Nylon MDS, Nylon GF13, - TECAMID®, Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) - TECAPEEK®, Poly phe - nylene Sulfide (PPS) - TECATRON® PPS, Polyetherimide (Ultem®) - TECAPEI™, Sulfones - TECASON®, Polyesters PBT and TECAPET™, Polycarbonate (PC) - TECANAT®, Poly phenylene Oxide (PPO) - TECANYL®, Polypropylene - TECAFINE® PP, Polyeth y lene - TECAFINE® PE and Acrylonitrile Buta diene Styrene - TEC A RAN™.

Limited thickness op tions are stocked in 24” wide of Delrin® Nat, Black and Colors, Delrin AF® (PTFE) sheets, polysulfone sheets, modified polypenenlene oxide (Noryl ® PPO) sheets, Pennite® glass reinforced nylon sheets, Pennite® long glass fiber Polypropylene sheets, Fortron® glass reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) sheets , Ultem ® Poly ether i mide (PEI) sheets, and poly ether ether keytone (PEEK) sheets.

Many non-standard plastic sheets, including electrostatically dissipative (ESD) acetal sheets, custom colored plastic sheets, and other custom sheets are supplied on a custom minimum order basis, with lead times averaging from four to eight weeks ARO.

For more information, contact Mark Kreisher, Ensinger Penn Fibre, 2434 Bristol Rd., Bensalem, PA 19020, 800-662-7366, E-mail: epfsales@ensinger-ind.com, Web: www.ensingerplastics.com.

HP Polymers & Compounds

Polymics®, LTD. is a unique manufacturer of polymer compounds offering an extensive combination of expertise in product development, application engineering and innovative polymer processing. With over 20 years’ experience Polymics holds several patents and is differentiated by its approach to creating and developing application-specific product solutions through patented technology of new higher temperature polymers, compound and alloy systems to 800° F; vertical integration capabilities including polymer production, compounding, processing and testing to augment unmatched design services and partnerships engaging their customers with a "concept to solution®" focus.

They offer high-performance compounds for extreme applications and unsurpassed expertise in design development and processing of PEEK, PEK, PEKK, PAEK, PEEKK, PPS, PEI, PBI, PI and other specialty polymers.

Their products are well suited to applications in aerospace and transportation, medical devices, analytical instrumentation, electronics and semiconductor, energy and alternative energy, defense, food and pharmaceutical and industrial and materials handling.

They have vertically integrated production capabilities encompassing: synthesis and polymerization; compounding (50 to 50,000 lbs.); processing including compression molding, injection molding, extrusion and centrifugal molding; color matching; material analysis; ASTM testing and certification utilizing ISO-based quality systems with conformance.

Polymics has established a roll in development and production of polymers used in the most demanding environments with economical solutions utilizing high performance materials, compounds and alloys to improve performance at a lower delivered cost. Polymics extensive investment in tooling allows them to competitively offer specialty products in film, sheet, slab, rod and tube with reductions in material cost, machining time and material stresses.

For more information, contact Peter Foss, Polymics®, LTD., 2215 High Tech Road, State College, PA 16803, 814-357-5860, Fax: 814-357-5863, E-mail: info@polymics.com, Web: www.polymics.com.

High Performance Tapes, Films, Fabrics, & Silicone

CS Hyde Company is a worldwide source for high performance Tapes, Films, Fabrics, Silicone and Belting. They specialize in PTFE® products made with Teflon™ Fluoroplastics, Kapton®, PEEK, Mylar®, FEP, Ultem® and many other performance plastics that meet specifications of every industry. They also have a fully equipped warehouse with converting machinery to meet specific slit widths, specialty die cut parts, adhesive lamination, and high-speed automated sheeting. Their goal is to provide their customers with products made to specific specs, competitive costs, and a fast delivery.

They supply a variety of PSA tapes with different adhesive systems to better fit your application. Adhesives include acrylic for high tact adhesion, silicone for clean release & high temperature, and rubber for cost effective applications. CS Hyde has no minimums on common slit widths and low minimums on custom width slitting.

Their plastic films selection covers performance characteristics ranging from abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and high heat resistance. They supply a variety of different thicknesses and most of their films are sold by the linear foot which is great for R&D applications. Common films they stock are Kapton® HN, FEP/PFA, PEEK°, Mylar® Type A, UHMW, Ultem® PEI, and several others.

For more information, contact Sales, CS Hyde Company, 1351 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa, IL 60046, 800-461-4161/847-395-0325, Fax: 847-395-0334, E-mail: sales@cshyde.com, Web: www.cshyde.com.

Polyimide Shapes & Liquid

R. Blaine Industries (RBI) recently announced the expanded availability of its VTEC™ polyimide stock shapes, parts and liquid materials. Small diameter rod has been added, with sizes as small as .060” diameter now available. Incremental diameters are also available to reduce the need to turn down from larger diameters. Other additions to the line include 300mm square sheet stock, and many OD/ID tube and bushing stock sizes.

VTEC creates new revenue opportunities, and offers distributors and fabricators a quality alternative to Vespel®, Meldin®, Plavis®, and other polyimides (PI). RBI's unique new VTEC economy grade (EG) materials bring down the high cost of traditional polyimides while providing unparalleled reliability comparable to other high performance materials.

Hybrid VTEC polymer materials are available with many fillers and modifications including carbon, graphite, glass, PTFE, fibers, and minerals to exactly match application requirements to replace metals, and upgrade many other polymers which are underperforming.

VTEC is a virtually indestructible polymer that overcomes many of the limitations of traditional high performance plastic materials. VTEC is not sensitive to moisture and steam, which makes it ideal for oil patch applications. Also, VTEC EG does not have a low Tg problem in high temperature applications. And, VTEC EG is ideal for any type of bearing and wear application to 500°F continuous.

VTEC Polyimide is also available in liquid form for applications where a polyimide coating or film is desired. It is typically applied and then thermal cured into a thin film or coating layer. Applications include cast films (including ESD); thin wall tubing; glass coating (to reduce breakage); metal coating (to create a high temp wear surface or to make metal non-conductive); semiconductor and microelectronic stress buffers or passivation layers; high temp adhesives; optical fiber and capillary coatings; R&D projects; wire enamels, etc. VTEC Polyimide liquid adds a new dimension to a distributors’ overall offering of advanced polymers.

RBI's VTEC line of polyimide and hybrid materials also includes directformed parts and machined parts, in addition to stock shapes (sheet, rod, tube). RBI also produces near-net custom shapes that save machining time as well as material cost. Medical implant grades of VTEC in liquid and solid from are also available and solving next generation application challenges.

For more information, contact Mark McDevitt, R. Blaine Industries, 1517 Hill Rd., Ste 5F, Reading, PA 19602, 610-236-1445, E-mail: mcd@rblaine.com, Web: www.rblaine.com.

High Performance with Visibility

SUSTANAT PC (polycarbonate machine grade) is ideally suited for applications that demand high impact strength. It is an amorphous, transparent material that exhibits good electrical and mechanical properties along with excellent dimensional stability.

It has a continuous use temperature of 250°F to - 20°F, exceptional toughness, transparency, is easy to machine to close tolerances, high impact strength, it is intrinsicly flame retardant, has good electrical insulation and high mechanical retention at elevated temperatures. These are just a few features that make it an ideal solution for applications such as electrical connectors, instrument covers, dialysis equipment parts, insulators and many other components.

When visibility is necessary SUSTANAT PC can be polished to allow sight in and around the component.

Röchling offers SUSTANAT PC in sheet and rod stock shapes. Rods range from .250” dia. up to 6” dia. in 10 foot length and sheets range from .625” gauge up to 4” in 24” x 48”.

For more information, contact Sean Helms, Röchling Engineering Plastics, P.O. Box 2729, Gastonia, NC 28053, 704-884-3501, Fax: 704-922-7651, E-mail: sean.helms@roechling-plastics.us, Web: www.roechlingplastics.us.

Custom Profiles, Shapes & Tubes

The Spiratex Co. is a custom extrusion service company that specializes in extruding custom profiles, shapes and tubes in UHMW/PE and poly urethane as well as other materials to tight tolerances.

The picture is actually of three different extrusions of black UHMW snapped together to make a tray, a lid, and compartments to keep the items in the three trays from getting mixed and tangled up. Their extrusion expertise allows for the snap-fit of the lid to fit snugly on the tray and maximize the space in each of the three compartments.

Spiratex can work with your engineers to design the tightest tolerance part to fit and perform your desired function. UHMW/PE is a problem-solving material that is abrasion resistant and has a low coefficient of friction.

For more information, contact Jeff Coil, The Spiratex Co., 1916 Frenchtown Center Dr., Monroe, MI 48162,734-289-5205, Fax: 734-289-4804, E-mail: jcoil@spiratex.com, Web: www.spiratex.com.