Plastics, Metals, and Other Materials 11555

Stainless steel

Stainless-steel fingerstock offers good shielding performance and compression characteristics and is easy to recycle. Optional finishes are available to reduce the chance of galvanic corrosion.

Tecknit, 129 Dermody St., Cranford, NJ 07016; FAX (908) 272-2741; www.tecknit.com .

Elastomers

Three grades of Elastollan(R)thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUs) for overmolding applications offer a soft tactile feel. The non-plasticized materials bond to ABS, polycarbonate, polyester products, nylon, and many other thermoplastics. Two polyether grades have a shore hardness range of 65 to 70A; the polyester grade has a 70A shore hardness. All three are naturally transparent and easy to color.

BASF Corp., 3000 Continental Dr. N, Mount Olive, NJ 07828-1234; FAX (734) 324-6467; www.basf.com .

Composite

Verton(R)RF is a long-glass-fiber reinforced nylon 6/6 that combines the processability of plastic with metal-like strength. The material can be molded in thick sections with minimal shrinkage.

LNP Engineering Plastics, 475 Creamery Way, Exton, PA 19341; FAX (610) 363-4749; www.lnp.com .

Extruded steel

Near-net extruded steel shapes include tees, equal and unequal leg angles, channels, and beams. Custom shapes may include cross-membered parts and parts requiring varying degrees of angularity, transverse flatness, bow, or twist. Diameters are up to 6 inches; lengths from 30 inches to 30 ft.

Plymouth Extruded Shapes, 201 Commerce Ct., Hopkinsville, KY 42240; FAX (270) 886-6662; www.plymouth.com/extrusions .

Sealer

Because the epoxy resin and hardener are separately encapsulated, fasteners treated with PRECOTE(R)thread-sealing adhesive have long shelf lives and will not harden prematurely. The material can be applied to the internal or external threads of fasteners or nuts, and to thread sizes M4 and larger.

Nylok Fastener Corp., 15260 Hallmark Dr., Macomb, MI 48042; FAX (516) 678-5783; www.nylok.com .

Powder metals

Three binder-treated premixed materials can function as high-performance alternatives to malleable and ductile case iron materials. Ancorloy MDA, MDB, and MDC offer three increasing alloy contents. All require high-temperature sintering of up to 2,300F, and combine high strength with good elongation.

Hoeganaes Corp., 1001 Taylors Ln., Cinnaminson, NJ 08077-2017; www.hoeganaes.com .

Casting compounds

Two fire-retardant epoxy casting compounds are durable electrical insulators that resist moisture, gases, petroleum lubricants and fuels, salts, and mild acids and bases. TRA-CAST 3140 offers a wider temperature range and higher viscosity than TRA-CAST 3143, which provides a longer working life. Applications for the two-part pastes include rigid potting, laminating, and transformer encapsulating.

Tra-Con Inc., 45 Wiggins Ave., Bedford, MA 01730; FAX (781) 275-9249; www.tra-con.com .

Metal treatment

A salt-bath treatment that improves the corrosion and wear resistance of ferrous metals, the QPQ Process involves a secondary polishing operation followed by re-oxidation. The resulting black finish has a low surface RMS and is suitable for bearing or seal-type applications.

Kolene Corp., 12890 Westwood Ave., Detroit, MI 48223-3436; FAX (313) 273-5207; www.kolene.com .

Foil laminate

TF-12 foil-supported Teflon pressure-sensitive adhesive laminate handles temperatures up to 400F. The product comes in widths of 1 or 2 inches in 36 yard rolls, and a 25-inch wide 5-yard roll.

Lamart Corp., 16 Richmond St., Clifton, NJ 07015; FAX (973) 772-3673.

Resins

Bayblend(R)FR 3000 series resins offer thin-wall processability. The flame-retardant polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) blends are free of antimony, bromine, and chlorine, and deliver stiffness, toughness, and color stability.

Bayer Corp., 100 Bayer Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741; FAX (412) 777-3899; www.bayer.com/polymers-usa .

CPVC sheet

Corzan(R)4910 CPVC white sheet material is designed to be used in wet benches used in the semiconductor industry. Made of post-chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, the sheets are said to provide high strength, weldability, chemical resistance, and fire safety. The company says that the sheets are a cost-effective alternative to other plastics, and provide high chemical resistance to acids, bases, salts, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

BFGoodrich Performance Materials; www.corzancpvc.com .

Filler pads

Sarcon(R)GR-Td Series silicone rubber-based gap filler pads are designed to maximize heat transfer from heat-generating components in narrow spaces. The product is made from a thin, highly conformable polyester mesh-reinforced silicone gel is said to offer high thermal conductivity and flame retardance. Applications include circuit boards, chassis walls, CD/DVD-ROM cooling, and others.

Fujipoly America Corporation, 365 Carnegie Ave., Kenilworth, NJ 07033-0679; FAX (908) 298-1232; www.fujipoly.com .

PPS compound

Ryton(R)R-6-010A is said to be a high-strength, ultra-high molecular weight unreinforced polyphenylene sulfide compound which can be extruded into specialty tubing, rod or bar stock. The plastic is said to be highly heat and chemical resistant, and able to handle harsh fluids and hot corrosive gases. The product is designed to replace fluoropolymers and PVC-C in applications where non-flammability and resistance to high temperatures and pressures are the main concerns.

Philips Chemical Co.; FAX (425) 562-9120.

Antistatic plastic

Stat-Kon(R)M1-HI UV is said to be a high impact, statically dissipative polypropylene plastic for automotive applications. Current applications include fuel filler tube housings in automobiles, in which the product dissipates static during refueling, eliminating the need for a stainless steel ground strap. Features are said to include UV resistance, high strength, and a softer, less shiny appearance than regular plastic.

LNP Engineering Plastics, 475 Creamery Way, Exton, PA 19341; FAX (610) 363-4749; www.lnp.com .

Acetal copolymer

This company says that its Hostaform(R)C13031 XF acetal copolymer offers improved chemical and impact resistance for sustained use with new, more acidic biodiesel fuels at temperatures up to 100C. Applications include emission control valves, tank-mounted valves, and fuel sender valves in automobiles and light trucks. Aging tests done by the company found that the product stands up to long-term exposure at high temperatures.

Ticona, 90 Morris Ave., Summit, NJ 07901; www.ticona.com .