|
|
|
|
| Thermoplastics | Properties | Applications |
|
PEEK (Polyarylethe-retherketone) |
Rigid opaque (grey) material with a
unique combination of properties, which include exceptional chemical,
wear, electrical and temperature resistance, as well as dimensional
stability and numerous processing capabilities |
PEEK polymer is used
typically as a replacement for machined metals in a wide variety of high
performance end-use applications. These range in diversity from
components for cars, aircraft, industrial pumps, valves and seals, to
silicon wafer carriers, connectors and sterilisable surgical instruments
and in the medical implants market. |
|
Polybutene-1 (PB-1) |
PB-1 is obtained by polymerisation
of butene-1, with a stereo-specific Ziegler-Natta catalyst to create a
linear, high molecular, isotactic, semi-crystalline polymer. |
A major application area for
polybutene resins is seal-peel or easy-open packaging. Typical examples
include carton liners (e.g. cereal packaging) and packs for pre-packed
delicatessen products like cold meats, cheeses and smoked salmon. |
|
Nylons (Polyamides) PA |
The majority of nylons tend to be
semi-crystalline and are generally very tough materials with good
thermal and chemical resistance. The different types give a wide range
of properties with specific gravity, melting point and moisture content
tending to reduce as the nylon number increases. |
Nylon fibres are used in textiles,
fishing line and carpets. Nylon films is used for food packaging,
offering toughness and low gas permeability, and coupled with its
temperature resistance, for boil-in-the-bag food packaging. |
|
Polycarbonate PC |
Polycarbonates are strong, stiff,
hard, tough, transparent engineering thermoplastics that can maintain
rigidity up to 140oC and toughness down to -20°C or special grades
even lower. |
In recent years Polycarbonate
blends have become increasingly commercially important. PC is widely
used in blends due to its excellent compatibility with a range of
polymers. |
|
Polyesters (Thermoplastic) PETP,
PBT, PET |
PBT, PET and PBT Blends are
engineering plastics with excellent processing characteristics and high
strength and rigidity for a broad range of applications. |
Engineering polymers are used in
the manufacture of a wide range of components, including under bonnet
parts, exterior parts (window wiper holders and exterior mirror
housing). |
|
Polyphenylene Sulphide |
Rigid, opaque non-burning
continuous use at 240'C, good chemical resistance, good electrical
insulator, moisture resistant, rarely used unfilled. |
Chemical pumps, hair dryer grills,
non-stick cookware (alloyed with PTFE), medical equipment, lamp bulb
bases, TV and automotive components. |
|
Polypropylene PP |
Semi-rigid, translucent, good
chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance, integral hinge
property, good heat resistance. |
Flexible and ridgid packaging,
automotive Bumpers, cladding, and exterior trim , consumer products, and
industrial uses. PP fibre is used in tape and strapping. |
|
Polyvinyl Chloride PVC |
Compatibility with many different
kinds of additives - PVC can be clear or coloured, rigid or flexible,
formulation of the compound is key to PVC's "added value".
|
Window frames, drainage pipe, water
service pipe, medical devices, blood storage bags, cable and wire
insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes, stationary,
automotive interiors and seat coverings, fashion and footwear,
packaging, cling film, credit cards, synthetic leather and other coated
fabrics. |
|
Thermoplastic Elastomers TPE, TPR
|
Flexible, clear, elastic, wear
resistant and impermeable. |
Soles and heels for sports shoes,
hammer heads, seals, gaskets, skate board wheels, synthetic leather
fabrics, silent running gears. |
|
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(ABS) and Other Specialist Styrenics |
Rigid, opaque, glossy tough, good
low temperature properties, good dimensional stability and easily
electroplated, low creep. |
Telephone handsets, rigid luggage,
domestic appliance housings (food mixers), electroplated parts, radiator
grills, handles, computer housings. |
|
Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) &
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) |
Rigid, transparent, tough,
resistant to greases, stress cracking and crazing, easily processed,
resistant to food stains. |
Drinking tumblers, hi-fi covers,
lenses, water jugs and toothbrush handles, kitchen and picnic ware,
radio dials, TV set screens, washing machine trims. |
|
Aramids PI Aromatic Polyamide
|
Rigid, opaque, high strength,
exceptional thermal and electrical properties (up to 480'C), resistant
to ionising rediation, high cost. |
Aerospace components, reinforcing
fibres, high temperature resistance foams, chemical fibres and arc
welding torches. |
|
Cellulosics CA,CAB CAP,CN |
Spectacle frames, toothbrushes,
tool handles, transparent wrapping, metallised parts (reflectors etc),
pen barrels. |
Spectacle frames, toothbrushes,
tool handles, transparent wrapping, metallised parts (reflectors etc),
pen barrels. |
|
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate EVA |
Flexible (rubbery), transparent,
good low temperature flexibility (-70'C), good chemical resistance, high
friction coefficient. |
Teats, handle grips, flexible
tubing, record turntable mats, beer tubing, vacuum, cleaner hosing.
|
|
Fluoroplastics PTFE FEP |
Semi-rigid, translucent,
exceptional low frictioin characteristics, superior chemical resistance,
impervious to fungi or bacteria, high temperature stablilty (260'C), low
temperature toughness (-160'C), good weathering resistance and
electrical properties. |
Non-stick coating, gaskets,
packings, bearings, high and low temperature electrical and medical
applications, laboratory equipment, pump parts, thread seal tape. |
|
Polyacetals POM |
Rigid, translucent, tough,
spring-like qualities, good stress relaxation resistance, good wear and
electrical properties, resistant to creep and organic solvents. |
Business m/c parts, small pressure
vessels, aerosol valves, coil formers, clock and watch parts, nuclear
engineering components, plumbing systems, shoe components. |
|
Polyethylene (High Density) HDPE
|
Flexible, translucent / waxy,
weatherproof, good low temperature toughness (to -60'C), easy to process
by most methods, low cost, good chemical resistance. |
Chemical drums, jerricans, carboys,
toys, picnic ware, household and kitchenware, cable insulation, carrier
bags, food wrapping material. |
|
Polyethylene (Low Density) LDPE,
LLDPE |
Semi-rigid, translucent, very
tough, weatherproof, good chemical resistance, low water absorption,
easily processed by most methods, low cost. |
Squeeze bottles, toys, carrier
bags, high frequency insulation, chemical tank linings, heavy duty
sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes. |
|
Polymeth-ylpentene PMP |
Rigid, tough, lightweight (density
0.83 gm/cm), chemical resistant, additives are required for outdoor use,
highly permeable to gases, transparent crystalline material. |
Medical ware, syringes, lamp
covers, (good heat resistance), radar applications, encapsulation,
microwave food packaging |
|
Polyphenylene Oxide PPO |
Rigid, opaque, good dimensional
stability at high temperature and humidity conditions, difficult to
process (blended to ease injection moulding), tough. |
Coffee pot and washing m/c parts
(where high temperature and moisture are critical), replacement for die
castings, drink vending machines, microwave components. |
|
Polystyrene (General Purpose) GPPS
|
Brittle, rigid, transparent, low
shrinkage, low cost, excellent X-ray resistance, free from odour and
taste, easy to process. |
Toys and novelties, rigid
packaging, refrigerator trays and boxes, cosmetic packs and costume
jewellery, lighting diffusers, audio cassette and CD cases. |
|
Polystyrene (High Impact) HIPS
|
Hard, rigid, translucent, impact
strength up to 7 x GPPS, other properties similar. |
Yoghurt pots, refrigerator linings,
vending cups, bathroom cabinets, toilet seats and tanks, closures,
instrument control knobs. |
|
Unsaturated Polyester UP |
Rigid, clear, chemical resistant,
high strength, low creep, good electrical properties, low temperature
impact resistance, low cost. |
Boat hulls, building panels, lorry
cabs, compressor housing, embedding, coating. |
|
Alkyds AMC |
Rigid, tough, heat resistant, good
arc and tracking resistance, good long term, dimensional stability,
fungus resistant, good colour stability. |
Automotive distributor caps,
circuit breakers, switch gear, coloured appliance housing. |
|
Allylics DAP, DAIP, ADC |
Hard, transparent, abrasion
resistant, good electrical insulation (even in humid conditions), good
chemical/mechanical properties and dimensional stability. |
Optical coatings, face shields,
sealants for metal castings, critical long-term high reliability
electrical parts (e.g. radomes, connectors, circuit breakers, switches).
|
|
Epoxies EP |
Rigid, clear, very tough, chemical
resistant, good adhesion properties, low curing, low shrinkage. |
Adhesives, coatings, encapsulation,
electrical components, cardiac pacemakers, aerospace applications.
|
|
Furan |
Rigid, brittle, opaque, high
strength at elevated temperatures, good chemical resistance, self
extinguishing, low smoke emissions. |
Chemical plant (competitive with
stainless steel) foundry cases and moulds, specialised insulating foams,
lining of tanks, etc. for alkali resistance. |
|
Melamines /Ure (Aminos) MF, UF
|
Hard, opaque, tough, scratch
resistant, self extinguishing, free from taint and odour, wide colour
range, resistant to detergents and dry cleaning solvents. |
Decorative laminates, lighting
fixtures, dinnerware, heavy duty electrical equipment, laminating
resins, surface coatings, bottle caps, toilet seats. |
|
Phenolics PF |
Hard, brittle, opaque, good
electrical and heat resistance, resistant to deformation under load, low
cost, resistant to most acids. |
Ashtrays, lamp holders, bottle
caps, saucepan handles, domestic plugs and switches, welding tongs and
electrical iron parts. |
|
Polyurethane cast elastomers (EP)
|
Elastic, abrasion and chemical
resistant, impervious to gases, can be produced in a wide range of
hardness. |
Printing rollers, solid tyres,
wheels, shoe heels, car bumpers, (particularly suited to low quantity
production runs). |
|
Vinyl Esters |
Rigid, translucent, good corrosion
resistance, low viscosity. |
Chemical tanks, ducts, piping,
process equipment (particularly in corrosive chemical environments). |
|
Our Services |
|