Products

Thermoplastic Polyurethane Leg Ropes

"Lifeline" for surfers

In surfing jargon, the cord that connects the surfboard to one of the wave-rider's legs is called the leg rope. It stops the surfer from losing his board and having to constantly swim to the water's edge to retrieve it and then paddle all the way back to where the giant waves are breaking. It also virtually eliminates the risk of riderless surfboards injuring swimmers or other surfers. The rope has to be tough, and Desmopan^® 385 thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is increasingly becoming the material of choice. This TPU is preferable because of its high elasticity and abrasion resistance, says Mathew Evans, general manager of Mojak Plastics, an Australian leg rope manufacturer. It also gives the rope a high-gloss finish with no restriction on color, Evans adds. Bayer MaterialSciencehttp://rbi.ims.ca/4403-576

Thin Film Elastomeric Coatings

Composite propulsion systems get vital protection

Ames Rubber Corp. has developed a system of thin film elastomeric coatings for improved erosion resistance in propulsion systems. The same coating chemistries can reportedly be tailored to inhibit ice formation on critical aerodynamic components. The protective coating is applied in a multiple layer construction with precise process control, ensuring a tough coating that will minimize erosion. A newly developed non-destructive measurement system (in microns) ensures uniform coating thickness on profiled products. Thin film coatings may also be useful in other areas, such as fuel cell gasketing where strong adhesion to substrate, precise thickness, and resistance to corrosion are important. Ames Rubber Corp.http://rbi.ims.ca/4403-577

Lay-Up Molding

Slashes processing time and costs

The CMPT^® process reportedly reduces the total time needed to make large all-metal lay-up molds for complex reinforced composites from the current six-to-12 month period to as little as six weeks, while also slashing tooling capital investment by one-third. CMPT is a dense, multidirectional, all-metal-weaving process that eliminates the need to machine lay-up molds out of large, heavy metal ingots or castings that require so much time to fabricate. It combines the accuracy, precision, and good surface quality previously available only after machining. It enables high-temperature tooling for long or short production runs for cures up to 750F. The toolface can be made from any alloy, from aluminum to zinc, including high nickel INVAR. General Magnaplate Corp.http://rbi.ims.ca/4403-578

New Catalog

For specialty rubber extrusion

Both in-house stock and unlimited custom capabilities are featured in a new 16-page, full-color product catalog now available on request from IND-EX Inc. Available as well for downloading, the catalog provides dozens of schematics with specification details for standard seal and gasket profiles, including extruded INTUMET intumescent fire and smoke seals, and cord stock. Firestopping applications using INTUMET extrusions are highlighted in a separate section. A convenient reference chart and compatibility guides show applications and physical properties for standard rubber materials supplied by IND-EX, including EPDM, natural and synthetic rubber, neoprene, nitrile, SBR, and silicone—all available in both dense and sponge compounds. In addition, the catalog explains IND-EX's capabilities for supplying custom compounds and precision profiles to specification for companies and jobbers with unique applications and needs requiring good-quality extrusions and timely delivery. IND-EX Inc.http://rbi.ims.ca/4403-579

1O-Inch Melt-Spun Foil

Wider design provides cost-effective solution

Manufactured from a variety of alloys, including Pd-based, Cu-based, and Ni-based (AMS 4777), the melt-spun foil can be produced in strips up to 250 mm (10 inches) wide with a typical thickness of 0.05 mm (0.002 inches), and can be easily cut into custom preform shapes. The 10-inch metal spun foil is suitable for various automotive and aerospace applications where a brazed assembly with a large cross-section is needed, including brazing heat exchanger assemblies, assembling and repairing compressor vanes, stators, and hush kits. They are also used to produce cutting surfaces by brazing diamond compounds to tungsten carbide. The company's rapid solidification technology allows the production of high purity ductile foil material, which would otherwise be brittle if produced by conventional cold or hot rolling techniques. The foil allows for flexible application, consistent wetting and melting behaviors, as well as structural stability over a wide range of temperatures. These amorphous materials are available in a variety of compositions, including nickel, copper, and palladium. Morgan Advanced Ceramicshttp://rbi.ims.ca/4403-580

Transmission Thrust Ring

Converted from aluminum to molded PEEK^®

Thrust ring components used in heavy-duty vehicle transmissions are molded of a high-performance PEEK (polyetheretherketone) material by Minnesota Rubber/QMR Plastics, resulting in less surface abrasion and longer life than the aluminum components they replace.

During operation, the thrust ring component acts as a rotating planetary carrier for helically shaped ring gears in transmission assemblies. The thrust load forces generate heat, potential wear, and abrasion. With the new PEEK component design, thrust ring durability was increased significantly while maintaining required performance levels.

The material compound reportedly includes a high percentage of PEEK for its high-temperature resistance of 400 to 450F (204 to 232C), carbon fiber for high wear resistance, and PTFE for low friction qualities. The new thrust ring component design also provides assembly benefits, featuring self-aligning extensions at each end that press fit quickly and accurately into the transmission assembly ring gears. Potential alignment issues were eliminated along with scrapped components.

In addition to costing less than aluminum components, requiring less assembly time, and providing longer operating life, the components weigh 50 percent less, an important consideration in today's automotive designs. Minnesota Rubber/QMR Plasticshttp://rbi.ims.ca/4403-581

Polycarbonate Myocardial pH Monitoring System

Helps prevent myocardial ischemia

Cardiac surgeons are constantly looking for ways to help improve the post-surgical outcomes of their patients. Now thanks to a device featuring Makrolon^® Rx2530 polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience, surgeons can measure myocardial pH levels during heart surgery. The KhuriTM Myocardial pH Monitoring System measures the pH in specific regions of the heart tissue to help prevent myocardial ischemia during surgery, which can lead to accelerated apoptosis (cell death). Prior to the development of the Khuri monitoring system, surgeons could not accurately measure pH in heart tissue. Bayer MaterialSciencehttp://rbi.ims.ca/4403-582

Release Coatings

For metallic and non-metallic tooling

Plasmadize^® 2139, a series of permanent, dry release coatings for metallic and non-metallic tooling, is available together with a full selection of product and application literature. These coatings, which are designed to replace toxic silicones and other sprayed, painted or dipped one-time release agents, can also replace the use of release additives. Additionally, Plasmadize 2139 eliminates the need for cleaning de-molded parts while offering an almost immediate return on investment. Because parts "pop-off" so effortlessly from treated molds, rejection rates are slashed. The available literature includes a graph showing that a reduction of only 10 percent in the reject rate will not only immediately pay back the cost of using Plasmadize 2139, but that it also significantly improves return on investment. Manufacturers can select either smooth or matte surfaces, and parts can undergo final finishing immediately after de-molding. Specific coatings are available for use on Invar and ferrous tooling, aluminum and non-ferrous tooling, fiber reinforced plastic, plaster and plastic tooling, and Magnaplate's proprietary CMPT™ toolface. The release coating is field repairable. General Magnaplate Corp.http://rbi.ims.ca/4403-583