Molding
The VersaDamp(TM)200 Series of damped TPE materials eliminates the need to make tradeoffs in damping and operating temperature ranges. The materials feature durometers ranging from 40 to 75 Shore A, and they are reported to have widely varying energy control capabilities as well. Designed to be easily injection-molded into isolators, they are recommended for anti-shock and anti-vibration mounts for compactly designed devices with limited isolator sway space.
E-A-R Specialty Composites , 7911 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268; FAX (317) 692-3111; www.earsc.com.
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Paint/material heater
The AutoHeat(TM)heater utilizes compressed shop air to warm material up to 105F without the aid of electricity. This feature eliminates the cost of explosion-proof wiring and maintains a safe working environment.
Mattson Spray Equipment , 230 W. Coleman St., Box 331, Rice Lake, WI 54868-0331; FAX (715) 236-7032; www.mattsonspray.com.
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DOM tubing
The company's ASTM A513 (type 5) carbon steel DOM mechanical tubing is reported to be electric-resistance welded and cold drawn to size to provide physical and mechanical properties superior to standard as-welded tubing. The DOM tubing is available in an almost limitless range of OD and wall thickness combinations.
Plymouth Tube Co ., 29W150 Warrenville Rd., Warrenville, IL 60555; FAX (630) 393-3551; www.plymouth.com.
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Coatings
Providing virtually non-toxic and non-combustible coatings for interiors and exteriors of hazardous material storage buildings, this environmental system utilizes an inorganic silicon-oxygen material that is more heat stable, up to 2,000F, when compared to the epoxies or polyurethanes, which are limited to 200-250F. The inorganic material is unaffected by sunlight and ultraviolet rays, is corrosion and thermal resistant, and may be used for topcoats, tank linings, surfaces, and antifoulings.
FPI , 151 Kalmus Dr., Suite A202, Costa Mesa 92626; FAX (714) 513-2111; www.fpishields.com.
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VOC-free composite molding
Composite Solutions, a line of thermoplastic polymers designed as VOC-free replacements for thermoset polyester, epoxy, and urethane molding compounds, can be formed using low-cost tooling and consolidated without expensive autoclave equipment. They are available as PolyPly(TM), an aqueous emulsion of modified acrylic, styrenic, and urethane polymers; and PlyoForm(TM)prepregs, which are fibers impregnated with PolyPly resins.
Plyonex , 191 Park St., South Paris, ME 04281; FAX (603) 250-0811; www.plyonex.com.
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Silicone additive
Intended for use as a pigment treatment, the company's 3 Additive is designed to aid dispersion in paint and coatings, and also helps formulators improve leveling, flow-out, wetting, and gloss. A water-clear liquid supplied at 10% solids in a toluene carrier, it's usually added during the final thinning and color-matching step. At 25C, the material has a specific gravity of 0.888 and a viscosity of 1 cs.
Dow Corning Corp ., Box 0994, Midland, MI 48686-0994; FAX (517) 496-8026; www.dowcorning.com.
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Diaphragm
DiacTuff, a new line of specialty industrial diaphragms, is composed of a high-strength fabric spun from a liquid crystal polymer and a variety of specialty elastomers including: Aflas, Viton GFLT(R), Vamac(R), and Fluorosilicone. The formulation increases its capabilities over traditional fabric-reinforced diaphragms. Operating temperatures are up to 500F, with pressures are higher than 6,000 psi.
DiacCom , 5 Howe Dr., Amherst, NH 03031; FAX (603) 880-7616; www.diacom.com.
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Conductive polycarbonate
Lubriloy(R), for applications that need both conductivity and lubrication that can't tolerate contamination or corrosion, avoids the use of fluorine-containing compounds that can get back into the media and corrupt it. This is especially a problem with electronic devices that have been getting smaller and smaller, thereby reducing the amount of free airspace that would allow natural escape of the compounds. Costly post-molding operations such as baking or washing to drive off the volatiles can then be avoided.
LNP Engineering Plastics , 475 Creamery Way, Exton, PA 19341; FAX (610) 363-4749; www.lnp.com.
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