Plastic Products for Processors & Job Shop Applications
Products for Machinability, Strength, & Uptime
About Processors & Job Shop Industry Plastics
Many industries are switching from traditional materials like metals to engineering plastics for key mechanical applications. Plastics are significantly lighter than metals and offer several performance benefits. Many plastics have high wear, impact, and corrosion resistance, which increases part life and reliability. Plastic-on-metal mated parts are significantly quieter than metal-on-metal parts. Plastics can even be engineered for specific applications, industry specifications, or regulatory compliances.
There are several considerations when selecting the best plastic for a job. First, will it be used in a bearing and wear or structural application? Most polymers are used in one category or the other. Because plastics have a lower melting point than metal, it’s important to know the heat deflection point and continuous service temperature of your application so you can choose a material that can withstand those thermal requirements. You should consider any chemicals the material will come in contact with during use or cleaning. You should also assess whether the application requires any other performance capabilities or regulatory compliances. Finally, you should take a look at the size and complexity of the final part.
Polymershapes Employs Qualified Material Experts to Help You Discover the Best Plastics for Your Project
Polymershapes has a team of material experts who can walk you through these questions and help you select the best engineering plastic for your job. Among machine shops, the most commonly used plastics are high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), acetal, nylon, and polycarbonate (PC). We stock standard mechanical plastics in a broad range of plate, rod, and tube sizes as well as many specialized grades from industry-leading manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Chemical Group and POLYVANTIS. We can also cut material to any size you require to help meet the demands of your customers.
Fabrication Support to Enhance Service Time for Customers
Most plastics are easy to machine and will place less strain on your equipment, however they do machine differently than metals and may require different tooling. If you are unfamiliar with machining plastics or your shop floor is at capacity, Polymershapes can offer fabrication support to enhance service times to your customers. We can provide custom cut sizes of raw material as well as CNC routing and a range of bench fabrication services. Contact Polymershapes today to discuss how we can put our equipment and expertise to work to support your growth and success.
Fabrication Support to Enhance Service Time for Customers
Most plastics are easy to machine and will place less strain on your equipment, however they do machine differently than metals and may require different tooling. If you are unfamiliar with machining plastics or your shop floor is at capacity, Polymershapes can offer fabrication support to enhance service times to your customers. We can provide custom cut sizes of raw material as well as CNC routing and a range of bench fabrication services. Contact Polymershapes today to discuss how we can put our equipment and expertise to work to support your growth and success.
Features & Benefits
Lightweight
•Wear Resistant
•Impact Resistant
•Easy to Machine
•Noise Reduction
•Corrosion Resistant
•Self-lubricating
•Regulation Compliant
•Range of Colors
Lightweight
Increases productivity while decreasing energy consumption.
Wear Resistant
Delivers long life for wear parts and mechanical components.
Impact Resistant
Provides reliable strength under dynamic loads.
Easy to Machine
Reduces production time and labor costs.
Noise Reduction
Reduces workplace noise for operator safety and comfort.
Corrosion Resistant
Performs reliably in damp or chemically exposed environments.
Self-lubricating
Eliminates need for external lubrication.
Regulation Compliant
Available in grades with FDA, USDA, or industrial certifications.
Range of Colors
Offers aesthetic flexibility and part differentiation.
Applications
Bearings & Bushings
Plastics make excellent bearings and bushings because they are strong yet lightweight, corrosion resistant, and quieter than metals. Nylon and acetal are cost-effective choices for most bushings and bearings, while polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is the material of choice in high temperature or extreme wear applications.
Dunnage
HDPE is commonly used as a dunnage material for the automotive industry because of its protective abrasion resistant surface and cost-effectiveness. HDPE is easily recyclable, and recycled grades are available to support sustainability efforts.
Gears & Sprockets
Gears and sprockets often feature intricate designs with narrow teeth which must remain undamaged under constant pressure or the whole machine might fail. Nylon or acetal are often the plastics of choice for safe and long-lasting performance. Because of their incredible dimensional stability, they won’t deform due to pressure or heat.
Machine Guards
See-through machine guards create a safety barrier to protect operators without obstructing their view. LEXAN™ 9034 polycarbonate is optically clear, flame retardant, temperature resistant, and virtually unbreakable, making it an excellent choice for machine guards that offer both safety and visibility.
Rollers
Plastic rollers are significantly more lightweight than their metal counterparts and often offer superior corrosion resistance. Both nylon and UHMW-PE are excellent choices for conveyor rollers.
Seals & Gaskets
When choosing a plastic for a seal or gasket, it’s important to consider the temperature range it will encounter, any compliances needed for the industry, and what chemicals the part will be exposed to. Acetal has good wear properties and the strength and stiffness needed for many simple seals, while PEEK is often the material of choice for more advanced machines that encounter higher temperatures or more extreme chemicals.
Sheaves & Pulleys
While metals are commonly the go-to material for pulleys, nylon and acetal are significantly lighter and don’t require as much lubrication. Self-lubricating grades of nylon are available. For rope sheaves, cast nylon is an excellent choice because it performs well in high tension applications.
Star Wheels
Star wheels are toothed disks used in a variety of conveying systems. Depending on the demands of the application, UHMW-PE might be chosen for its low friction and excellent wear properties, or nylon or acetal for their abrasion resistance and strength.
Structural Parts
HDPE is often a cost-effective choice for structural parts because of its impact and abrasion resistance. When higher wear and performance properties are needed, UHMW-PE might be appropriate. For the most demanding structural applications in industries such as aerospace and medical, polyetherimide (PEI) offers strength and dimensional stability even at high temperatures.
Tooling & Prototyping
Several plastics are commonly used during tooling and prototyping, depending on the part’s purpose. For see-through applications, polycarbonate is common. Polypropylene’s chemical and corrosion resistance makes it preferred for applications that may encounter harsh conditions. Nylon’s strong mechanical properties make it an excellent choice for many bearing and wear parts.
Wear Pads & Srips
UHMW-PE is known for its extremely low coefficient of friction and excellent abrasion resistance, which makes it the plastic of choice for long lasting wear pads and wear strips to increase the mean time between repairs.
Products for Processors & Job Shops Applications
Acetal (Polyoxymethylene, POM)
Acetal, also known as POM (Polyoxymethylene), is a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic material, with a continuous use temperature range of up to 180° F (82° C). Acetal offers high strength and stiffness coupled with high dimensional stability and ease of machining.
Nylon (Polyamide, PA)
Nylon is one of the original engineering thermoplastic materials. With an ideal balance of strength and toughness it finds use in a wide variety of industries and applications.
Polypropylene Sheet, Rod and Tube
Polypropylene (PP) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material, with a continuous use temperature range of -4° F (-20° C) to 212° F (100° C). It is categorized as a standard material, and offers excellent toughness, chemical resistance, and processability.
Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW)
UHMW, also known as UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material, with a continuous use temperature range of up to 180° F (82° C).
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