Composites

Thermoset Composites

Accurate Plastics, Inc. since 1980 has provided NEMA LI-1 and MIL-I- 24768 certified Acculam® thermoset composites in sheet, tube, rod and other forms.

Thermoset plastics are unique composites of cross-linking resins with reinforcing materials that are permanently cured by heat and pressure. Once cured, they become very rigid, durable and maintain physical properties in hot conditions better than thermoplastics. This plastic, pioneered in the early 20th century was known as Bakelite and found many uses in the electronics industry of the mid-20th century and spawned development of additional grades during the industrial revolution. Typically referred to as Grades G10, G11, G9, G5, G7, G3, FR4, FR5, CE, LE, XX, today they continue to expand relevance in electronics, aerospace, gaskets, heavy equipment, medical, magnetics, energy and other applications.

A new grade, MATRIX HT, provides excellent maintenance of properties at temperatures up to 500°F and over.

These composites may be combined with other components such as metals, etc. to develop special properties that allow flexibility in design of devices. Where high mechanical strength and resistance to heat or electricity are necessary, thermoset composites allow designers a flexible, durable, lightweight option for replacing thermoplastics, metals and other high weight components.

For more information, contact Sales, Accurate Plastics, Inc., 914-476-0700, Fax: 914-476-0533, E-mail: sales@acculam.com, Web: www.acculam.com.

Composite Solutions

Polymics Ltd. continues to advance both thermoset and thermoplastic composite material solutions. Since, 2007, Polymics and its subsidiaries have been providing unique thermoset composite productsto key industries and they now offers comprehensive composite processes including filament wound tubes and lining products, high strength pultruded rods, and a unique “Pulwinding” processes that combines the benefit of Pultrusion in tensile strength and filament winding in hoop strength for structural profile applications. These processes were designed to meet cost reduction and performance enhancements in oil/gas, semiconductor/ electronics as well as other industries. Typical resin systems adopted currently are standard and high temperature epoxy as well as most unsaturated polyester systems.

In addition, Polymics has initiated a thermoplastic composite program as an extension of its comprehensive high heat polymer programs. Initial products include a Pyramid CC product line with PEEK, PAEK and PPS as the basic resin matrix. Currently, compression molded products and limited long fiber composite systems are offered for medical, aerospace and analytic instrumentation meeting increased strength requirements while still delivering weight savings and critical chemical resistance.

Polymics “Concept to Solution” mission addresses each customer’s individual application requirements when providing a cost-effective solution that meets all critical performance criteria. This is accomplished through experience and expertise that encompasses: material development, polymer formulation including recently patented high temperature Polyketones, custom compounding, part design, polymer conversion, prototype fabrication, assembly and complete testing in their ISO-9001 certified facilities.

Polymics also offers an extensive inventory of thermoplastics such as PEEK tube where they utilize several processes including hot compression molding, injection molding, extrusion and centrifugal molding to supply the industries most extensive size capabilities.

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

Thermoset Shapes & Fabrication

The Atlas Fibre Company is a North American supplier of thermoset/ laminate sheet, rod and tube. They supply the following materials: G-10, G-11, FR4, G-9, G-7, G-5, G-3, and paper, linen and canvas phenolic. All Atlas Fibre materials meet/exceed NEMA and Mil-Spec standards. They can cut to tight tolerances, precision sand materials up to 2.00” thick and fabricate all of these materials.

In addition, for those machine shops that don’t like to machine thermosets/laminates, Atlas Fibre has more than 30 CNC machines on their shop floor including Swiss turning, five-axis routing, five-axis milling and multiple routers for high volume production runs.

For more information, contact Mark Mush, Atlas Fibre Company, 3411 Woodhead Dr., Northbrook, IL 60062, 800-323-1408, E-mail: sales@atlasfibre.com, Web: www.atlasfibre.com or www.atlasfibremachining.com.

High Strength Tubing

Norplex-Micarta offers RT130X, high strength tubing composed of glass fabric with an epoxy resin system. The material is designed for high electrical and mechanical strength as well as flame resistance. Because of the extra fine weave glass substrate used; RT130X has excellent machining characteristics, allowing for cleaner machining (less exposed fiber). Typical uses for RT130X include timing wheels, light duty gears, laser housing and many other applications that require parts to be fabricated from a flame retardant glass tube.

RT130X can be manufactured in standard lengths of 18" and 36" with inside diameters ranging from 0.094" - 48", outside diameters ranging from 0.156" – 49.50" and wall thickness ranging from 0.031" - 0.750". RT130X complies with NEMA FR-4 and is flame resistant to a UL94 V-O rating.

For more information, contact Norplex-Micarta, 665 Lybrand Street, Postville, IA 52162, 563-864-7328, Fax: 563-864-4231, E-mail: info@norplex-micarta.com, Web: www.norplex-micarta.com.

Laminated Sheet

Haysite offers a range of products to meet all your electrical insulation needs. Whether it is GPO -1, 2, or 3, Haysite’s Fiber glass Reinforced Plastic Sheets provide theircustomers with options when faced with critical material requirements.

Typical applications include: general purpose electrical insulation, transformer spacers and supports, transportation components, high voltage appliance insulators, bus bar supports and barriers in switchgear. Their H900 series is recognized as a top performer in the electrical industry.

Haysite offers a variety of grades to meet required specifications in high temperature applications. Their products retain their desired electrical properties without adverse affects to product strength and stability at elevated temperatures. Typical applications include: layer and core insulation for dry type transformers, motor slot wedges, washers, brush plates and terminal boards.

Their HST-II is a benchmark for high temperature FRP materials. Their product offering includes standard and custom materials, which exhibit substantial resistance to cold flow or creep under heat and pressure. In addition, they have over 25 different grades in a wide range of sheet sizes and thicknesses, for corrosion resistant, flexible, and magnetic applications.

For more information, contact Thomas Gardner, Haysite Reinforced Plastics, 5599 New Perry Highway, Erie PA 16509, 814-868-3691, E-mail: tgardner@haysite.com, Web: www.haysite.com.