Engineering
Plastics
 Modern plastics can be divided into three basic groups.
Industrial Plastics
Here you will find polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC as
examples of the wide range of plastics with useful properties
but they do not necessarily have the maximum capability that
might be found in other grades. They frequently have good
chemical resistance, some can be fabricated by welding, and they
have a reasonable range of operating temperature.
Engineering Plastics
These are the hard working plastics. Generally stronger, with
higher temperature resistance and better bearing properties than
the Industrial Plastics, these plastics are designed for a long
trouble free service life. Nylon’s, Acetal (and Delrin), PTFE,
polycarbonate, acrylic and resin bonded laminates are just a few
of the Engineering Plastics in every day use.
High Performance Plastics (HPM’s)
These plastics have been developed to have the ultimate
combination of performance properties. They push conventional
boundaries by having the capability to survive long periods at
extremes of temperature, chemical attack, radiation bombardment
and high stress. Victrex® PEEK™ is a well-known example but new
materials are continually “in the pipeline.”
Machining stock
As with the core products from Smiths’ metals range, Engineering
Plastics are offered as Machining Stock in a wide variety of
economical forms to minimise waste. Straight lengths of round
bar, which up to 50mm dia can also be Precision Ground to close
tolerances on request, are typically produced up to 3 mts long.
Some of the less rigid materials, such as PTFE, are limited to 2
mts so they are easier to handle without becoming damaged.
Sheet and plate often starts below 1mm and it’s not uncommon to
find a manufacturer’s range rising to 200mm or more. They come
in a huge variety of length and width combinations, some of
which are “traditional” formats that suit specific industries
using particular materials.
Tubes to save material, thin strip for stamped parts, and some
solid and hollow sections are also available |
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