CNC Machining of engineering plastics, steels, almost anything.
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene is resistant to almost all known substances, it has very low friction and high temperature resistance. PTFE is used in mechanical parts such as O- ring and gaskets, seals, pipe flanges and linings, ball valve seats, high speed slide blocks and bearings. PTFE can be bonded to steel substrates to form wear pads and chemical linings. PTFE can be modified to improve strength, wear and bearing resistance using additives such as bronze, glass and Moly. PTFE can be modified allowing it to be welded into protective linings for chemical processing. It is available in rod, sheet, tape and custom made cylinders and shapes.
Attributes
o Good electrical properties
o Excellent chemical resistance
o Very low coefficient of friction
o Non stick
o Weldable certain grades
o Temperature -200 to 260 degrees C.
PPS
Polyphenylene sulphide is a material that sits between engineering plastics and high cost high performance plastics such as PEEK often offering a more economical solution in a high performance environment. PPS is ideally suited to high load bearing components such as gears and rotors, bearings, seals and vanes in chemical pumps. PPS is available in rod, sheet and tube.
Attributes
o Good chemical resistance
o Excellent wear resistance
o High load bearing capacity
o High mechanical strength
o Temperature -20 to 220 degrees C
PEEK
Polyetheretherketone is the next step up from PPS with higher mechanical properties than PPS which allow it to succeed in the highest performance environment. Its excellent toughness, impact strength and chemical resistance make it ideal for components under very high load at very high temperatures or harsh chemical environments. PEEK is available in reinforced and internally lubricated grades as well as medical grades for the manufacture of human implants. Available in rod, sheet and tube in natural and filled grades.
Attributes
o Excellent chemical resistance
o Excellent wear resistance
o Excellent load bearing capacity
o Excellent mechanical strength
o Temperature -65 to 250 degrees C
PSU, PESU, PPSU
Polysolfones have similar mechanical properties to Polycarbonate however can operate at higher temperatures whilst maintaining good chemical resistant. PSU’s are typically used in highly stressed structural components in medical, computer and pumping applications. PSU’s are particularly good with the sterilisation demands of medical equipment and instruments. Limited availability in rod and sheet.
Attributes
o Excellent chemical resistance
o Radiation resistance
o High temperature steam resistant
o Autoclavable
o Low moisture absorption
o Temperature -50 to 180 degrees C
PEI, PBI, PI and PAI
These materials are at the pinnacle of high-performance engineering plastics with extreme temperature tolerances up to 500 degrees C. Typical applications include semiconductor manufacture, very high-performance valve seats and spindles, aerospace, circuit boards manufacture, very low temperature sealing. Limited availability in rod and sheet in natural and filled grades.