Plastic Products for Mining Applications
Products for Durability, Wear, & Output
About Mining Industry Plastics
Throughout the mining industry, performance plastics help keep miners safe and extend equipment life. Operating environments in the mining industry are abrasive, noisy, and generally tough on parts and equipment. By replacing metal with long lasting, corrosion resistant plastics, weight and power requirements can be reduced, costly lubrication eliminated, and Mean Time Between Repair increased. Performance plastics also promote bulk material flow, all while improving your ability to meet stringent quality and reliability metrics.
Sturdy Materials for Heavy Duty Projects
When looking for durable, abrasion resistant materials for conveyer components with an ideal balance of strength and toughness, Nylatron® nylon offers great noise abatement qualities while ensuring a long part life. For piping applications, high density polyethylene (HDPE) is a popular choice for fittings because its chemical and abrasion resistance reduces corrosion, leaks, and costly replacements. Similarly, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a popular choice for piping applications that require abrasion resistance and flexibility, such as slurry lines.
Increased Efficiency with Plastics Built to Withstand the Workload
In wear applications, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) shines for its durability and wear and impact resistance, making it a common choice for sheaves, gears, and conveyor parts. Recycled UHMW-PE can be used in some applications to support sustainability efforts. Heavy equipment used in mining operations also benefits greatly from performance plastics, from LEXAN™ polycarbonate glazing used to increase operator safety and visibility to longer-lasting UHMW-PE or nylon outrigger pads, mated parts, and more.
Increased Efficiency with Plastics Built to Withstand the Workload
In wear applications, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) shines for its durability and wear and impact resistance, making it a common choice for sheaves, gears, and conveyor parts. Recycled UHMW-PE can be used in some applications to support sustainability efforts. Heavy equipment used in mining operations also benefits greatly from performance plastics, from LEXAN™ polycarbonate glazing used to increase operator safety and visibility to longer-lasting UHMW-PE or nylon outrigger pads, mated parts, and more.
A Wide Portfolio Tailored for the Mining Industry
To help our customers solve their mining related materials challenges, Polymershapes offers a comprehensive portfolio of corrosion resistant engineering plastics ranging from general purpose to extreme performance from industry leading manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Chemical Group and SIMONA. In addition to stock sizes of rod, sheet, and tube, we also custom fabricate parts. Contact one of our material experts today to discuss the best polymer for your mining application.
Features & Benefits
Wear Resistant
•Lightweight
•Chemical & Corrosion Resistant
•Impact Resistant
•Low Moisture Absorption
•Self Lubricating
•Low Friction
•Noise Reduction
•Temperature Resistant
•Electrically Insulated
•Recyclable
Wear Resistant
Withstands abrasion and mechanical stress in aggressive mining operations, promoting longer equipment life and increased MTBR.
Lightweight
Reduces stress on machinery and improves fuel economy.
Chemical & Corrosion Resistant
Withstands caustic chemicals and wet, acidic conditions.
Impact Resistant
Handles shock and vibration from heavy equipment and falling debris.
Low Moisture Absorption
Maintains integrity and size in damp environments.
Self Lubricating
Reduces friction without requiring external lubricants.
Low Friction
Promotes efficient flow of bulk solids through hoppers or chutes.
Noise Reduction
Helps lower ambient noise from machinery or moving materials, promoting safer work environments.
Temperature Resistant
Performs in high-temperature environments such as smelters.
Electrically Insulated
Provides static dissipation or insulation to reduce ignition risks.
Recyclable
Many materials are recyclable, contributing to sustainable operations.
Applications
Bed, Bucket, Chute, & Hopper Car Liners
Replacing steel liners with TIVAR® 88 UHMW-PE can improve material flow and greatly increase part life. Engineered for high performance in linings applications, TIVAR 88 features extreme wear, impact, and chemical resistance and a low coefficient of friction that protects equipment from damage from abrasive cargo while reducing material hangups while unloading. It also greatly reduces heat buildup due to friction, protecting workers and cargo.
Belt Scrapers, Tooth Locks, & Impact Pads
UHMW-PE is often used in parts that support conveyor belts, such as belt scrapers and impact pads. This tough, shock absorbent material is impact and abrasion resistant, which helps to extend the life of your conveyor system and reduce your MTBR. Its low coefficient of friction also assists with material flow.
Conveyor Components
Cast nylon such as Nylatron is often the material of choice for gears, rollers, bushings, sheaves, sprockets, and other conveyor components because it balances strength and toughness while decreasing the overall weight of the machine. Its excellent noise abatement properties help make mines quieter, and it’s even available in self-lubricating grades to eliminate the need for additional lubrication. TIVAR 1000 UHMW-PE may be chosen for conveyor parts that require additional abrasion resistance, such as flights or guides.
Lantern Rings
Lantern rings play a crucial role in keeping pumps operating longer. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the most used plastic for these components because it maintains its flexibility over an extremely wide temperature range and offers solid chemical resistance. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) offers improved wear and chemical resistance, even in high pressure applications or over 500˚F, but is more costly and challenging to machine.
Pipes
PVC is commonly used in many piping applications, including slurry lines, because it offers flexibility and abrasion resistance in a wide variety of tube sizes. For long-lasting fittings that can reduce leaks and corrosion, HDPE offers excellent chemical and abrasion resistance. HDPE is also commonly used for dewatering systems and chemical delivery pipe systems because of its chemical and corrosion resistance.
Safety Windows/Windshields
LEXAN hard-coated polycarbonate is a clear plastic with exceptional impact resistance that can protect machine operators from flying debris when used in heavy equipment windows and windshields. This specialty grade of polycarbonate is coated to improve its abrasion resistance and formulated to improve visibility while reducing operator fatigue. At half the weight of glass, it can also provide noise reduction, UV protection, and thermal insulation while improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle.
Thrust Washers
Plastic thrust washers often last longer than their metal counterparts while requiring less maintenance because of their self-lubricating properties. Both nylon and UHMW-PE offer durability, wear resistance, and a low coefficient of friction.
Wear Pads & Strips
Reprocessed UHMW-PE such as TIVAR ECO is a sustainable solution to protect mining equipment from the wear and tear of its abrasive environment. With excellent wear and abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction, UHMW-PE wear strips increase part-life while reducing noise.
Products for Mining Applications
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