50 Uses for Plexiglass Acrylic Sheets, Rods & Tubes

Plexiglass acrylic is a glazing, signage, window or display material that is unaffected by moisture, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Plexiglass offers high light transmittance and can be heat-formed without loss of optical clarity.

Acrylic is  technically a polymer chain of PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate).  This thermoplastic resin is produced in basic shapes such as sheets, rods and tubes which are often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. The material was developed in 1928 and was first brought to market in 1933 by the Rohm and Hass Company, under the trademark Plexiglas.  In sheet form, it has since been sold under many different names, including Acrylite®, Lucite®, and Optix®. Plexiglass acrylic is produced in basic shapes by three different manufacturing processes: Cast, Extruded & Continuous Cast.

PMMA is an economical alternative to polycarbonate (PC) when extreme strength is not necessary. Additionally, PMMA does not contain the potentially harmful bisphenol-A subunits found in polycarbonate. It is often preferred because of its moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost. Non-modified PMMA behaves in a brittle manner when loaded, especially under an impact force and is more prone to scratching than conventional inorganic glass, but modified PMMA can achieve high scratch and impact resistance.  It can also be coated with special abrasion-resistant coating as supplied in Acrylite® AR

Plexiglass is also available extruded rods, cast rods, extruded tubes, cast tubes, and a variety of profiles shapes such as square bar rectangular bar, triangle bar, J-Bar, Z-Bar and W-Bar.  These shapes are used to fabricate various point-of-purchase displays and store fixtures.




50 Common Uses for Plexiglass:

Safety Glazing	Signage	Picture Frames	Impact Shields	Display Cases
Display Stands	Table Tops	Backlit Signs	Light Fixtures	Storm Windows
Domes	Aquariums	Bus Shelters	Designer Glass	Windshields
Instrument Dials	Sight Glasses	Skylights	Museum Cases	Mirrors
Store Fixtures	Light Boxes	Aircraft Canopies	Photo Backdrops	Furniture
Light Diffusers	Face Masks	Shelving	Patio Glass	Optical Lenses
Sound Barriers	P.O.P. Displays	Exhibits	Brochure Holders	Test Fixtures
Video Screens	Collection Boxes	Trophies/Awards	Water Tanks	Podiums
Arena Shields	Speaker Boxes	Acoustic Shields	Countertops	Medical Shields
Food Storage	Marker Boards	Menu Boards	Retail Advertising	Motorcycle Fairings

For more details on plexiglass visit Professional Plastics Website, or call (888) 995-7767

Polyimide - The Ultimate High-Performance Thermoplastic Material

Thermosetting Polyimides (PI) are known for thermal stability, good chemical resistance & excellent mechanical properties. They exhibit very low creep & high tensile strength. These properties are maintained during continuous use to temperatures of 450°F (232°C) and for short excursions, as high as 900°F (482°C).   Professional Plastics offers the widest range of polyimide materials in the industry from Meldin® Shapes, Vespel® Shapes, Kapton® Film, Kaptrex® Film, Cirlex® Laminate, Kaptolam® laminate, Solimide® foam,and Protomid® microbore tubing.

Molded polyimide parts & laminates have very good heat resistance. Normal operating temperatures for such parts and laminates range from cryogenic to those exceeding 500°F (260°C). Polyimides are also inherently resistant to flame combustion and do not usually need to be mixed with flame retardants. Most carry a UL rating of VTM-0.

Polyimide laminates have a flexural strength half life at 480°F (249°C) of 400 hours. Typical polyimide parts are not affected by commonly used solvents & oils — including hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, alcohols and freons. They also resist weak acids but are not recommended for use in environments that contain alkalis or inorganic acids.

Polyimide parts and shapes such as Meldin®, Vespel® are produced via Isostatic Molding, Compression Molding or Direct-Forming.

For more details visit our polyimides webpage at:
http://www.professionalplastics.com/Polyimide_RodPlateFilmTube

Grades of Meldin Polyimide:
MELDIN® 7001, Unfilled Grade
A thermosetting polyimide, MELDIN® 7001 is our unfilled base resin. This grade offers the maximum mechanical properties and high chemical resistance. The MELDIN® 7001 grade is ideal for electrical and thermal insulating applications. More ductile than ceramics, and lighter weight than metals, MELDIN® 7001 is a popular choice for structural parts in aerospace and other applications where metal replacement is desirable.

MELDIN® 7021, 15% by Weight Graphite Filler
Our self-lubricating grade, MELDIN® 7021, has 15% by weight graphite fillers, encapsulated by the base polyimide resin. With its low coefficient of friction and high heat resistance, MELDIN® 7021 provides our customers the best all-around choice for high temperature bearings, seals, and other low-wear applications.

MELDIN® 7211 - 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE Fillers by Weight
MELDIN® 7211 is 15% by weight graphite and 10% by weight PTFE fillers. It has the lowest coefficient of friction of all the MELDIN® 7000 grades. However, above 300°F, we typically use MELDIN® 7021, which has a very similar coefficient of friction to 7211 at temperatures above 300°F, and the wear factor of 7021 is lower than 7211 at temperatures above 300°F.

MELDIN® 7022 - 40% by weight graphite filler
MELDIN® 7022 is 40% by weight graphite filler. It is similar to the 7021 for wear and friction, but it has the best overall dimensional stability (thermally), and the 7022 has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion – due to the relatively high graphite filler content.

MELDIN® 7003 - 15% molybdenum disulfide lubricating filler
Meldin® 7003 includes 15% molybdenum disulfide lubricating filler for wear applications that operate in a vacuum or in very dry conditions where graphite actually becomes abrasive. Typical applications of Meldin 7003 include seals, bushings, bearings, gears, and other wear surfaces in outer space, ultra-high vacuum or dry gas applications.

Meldin 7000 meets the following specifications :

Mil-P-46198 Military Specification (now obsoleted)

ASTM D6456-99 Standard Specification

SAE AMS 3644G Aerospace Material Specification

CPW411 Rev. H Pratt & Whitney Specification

MCS 5016 Honeywell Specification

UL V0-5VA flammability rating

Plastic Fabricating Tools & Accessories Online

A full-range of Plastic Fabricating Tools and Accessories are available from Professional Plastics' website.  Creating acrylic displays, boxes, podiums and sheilds is easy when the right supplies are available.  Professional Plastics offers cutting tools, polishing tools, buffing compounds, welding products, adhesives, hinges, strip heaters and more.

For more information and to Order Online, click here:
http://www.professionalplastics.com/PlasticToolsAccessories
Professional Plastics operated 16 stocking locations in the USA.
Call (888) 995-7767 to reach the nearest location.

Plexiglass Acrylic Sheets - Cut-to-Size

Custom cut-to-size plexiglass sheets are now available online by using Professional Plastics custom-size tool. Plexiglass / Extruded Acrylic Sheet (aka Plexiglass, Acrylite ,Lucite, Optix, Perspex, Plexi, Plexy) is an excellent glazing, signage, window or display material that is unaffected by moisture, and offers a high strength-to-weight ratio. Plexiglass acrylic offers high light transmittance and can be easily heat-formed without loss of optical clarity.  Simply select the quantity, thickness and color, then enter your cut size and required cutting tolerance.  The site will calculate the pricing automatically.

Click here for details: http://www.professionalplastics.com/PLEXIGLASS-ACRYLICSHEET-EXTRUDED

Tivar® H.O.T High Temperature UHMW-PE Shapes

Tivar® H.O.T. from Quadrant EPP is formulated to maintain key performance properties in an extended temperature range, Tivar® H.O.T.* will excel in a variety of industrial manufacturing environments where temperatures range up to 275° F, nearly 100° higher than competing UHMW-PE formulations.

Tivar® H.O.T. reduces the oxidization rate of the material at higher temperatures thereby slowing material degradation and extending wear-life in chemical, elevated temperature and thermo-cycling environments. In many applications, Tivar® H.O.T. will last up to 10 times longer in higher temperature environments and has excellent wear and release characteristics


Tivar® H.O.T. is also a great material for use in conveyor systems or other equipment that is frequently exposed to chemical washdowns in such industries as poultry/meat processing and packaging. It can be also be used in applications ranging from wearstrips for spiral conveyors in the baking industry to drag conveyor flights for moving bulk materials (corn) in grain elevators, or wearstrips for conveyor dryers in drying and dehydrating systems.


Tivar® H.O.T. is white and available in the following standard sizes: 48" x 120" (1220mm x 3050mm) sheets with gauges ranging from 1/16" (1.5mm) to 6.0" (152mm) and 48" x 240" sheets with gauges ranging from 3/4" to 3". Other sizes are available on request. It can also be extruded in a variety of standard and custom profiles.
 
Tivar® H.O.T Benefits:
•Inhibits oxidation, extends material wear-life
•Extended operating temperature range
•Abrasion, corrosion, chemical, and moisture-resistant
•Excellent release characteristics
•Meets FDA guidelines, USDA and 3-A Dairy compliant

Industries: 
Baking - Conveyor manufacturing - Food processing & packaging - Meat & poultry processing - Pet food manufacturing


Applications:
Chain guides - Conveyor components - Drying equipment - Machined parts - Wearstrips, pads and plates
 
Tivar® H.O.T. is available from Professional Plastics website at http://www.professionalplastics.com/TIVARHOT or call (888) 995-7767
 
Tivar® H.O.T. is a registered tradename of Quadrant EPP.
Tivar® H.O.T. is distributed by Professional Plastics, Inc.

Tygon® B-44-3 Beverage Tubing Available from Professional Plastics

Tygon® B-44-3 Beverage Tubing is specially formulated for transferring a wide variety of beverages including soft drinks, fruit juices, flavored teas and bottled water. In virtually all cases, Tygon® Beverage Tubing will not affect the taste or odor of product transferred through it, while its excellent non-wetting properties facilitate complete drainage and permit simple flush-cleaning.

Many of the unique properties inherent to Tygon® Beverage Tubing also apply to a wide variety of complex applications ranging from fine cosmetic production to the dispensing of water-based printing inks found in the publishing industry. The versatility and proven performance of Tygon® B44-3 Beverage Tubing have made it today's most widely specified clear, flexible plastic tubing.



Benefits of Tygon B-44-3 Tubing:

•Taste-free and odor-free
•Non-wetting surface permits thorough cleaning and complete drainage
•Broad chemical resistance to virtually all non-solvent chemicals
•Lightweight and flexible for easy, quick installation
•Meets FDA, 3-A and NSF criteria
 
Order Online at http://www.professionalplastics.com/TYGONB44-3 or call (888) 995-7767
E-Mail: sales@proplas.com

KYDEX® Sheet Available from Professional Plastics Website

KYDEX® sheet is manufactured by Kleerdex Company, a supply partner of Professional Plastics. KYDEX® sheet is an extremely durable thermoplastic alloys extruded in a range of colors, patterns, textures, thicknesses and grades. Specialized grades of KYDEX® sheet meet specific UL, FAR, MVSS, ASTM and/or BS fire ratings , and exhibit exceptional mechanical properties and chemical resistance required to produce components intended for demanding applications.

Grades of  KYDEX® sheet:

•KYDEX 100 Ultra high impact, high performance, fire-rated sheet suitable for a broad range of demanding applications.

•KYDEX 101 White #62000 or black #52114 substrate with colored, weatherable cap for thermoforming letter backs of electrical signage. Eliminates painting.

•KYDEX 107 For National Sanitation Foundation applications. Numerous textures/sizes, limited colors. FDA approved raw materials. Cost competitive with ABS sheet.

•KYDEX 110 Super tough, durable METALLIC-colored, a proprietary alloy sheet, sets new standards for thermoformers in: formability, rigidity, breakage resistance, fire retardancy and aesthetics.

•KYDEX 115 Rigid, sag-resistant ceiling panel grade in .080" (2.03mm) thickness, available pre-cut. Class 10 rated for clean rooms. Also for food plants, computer rooms, operating rooms, etc.

•KYDEX 130 High performance sheet with integral granite pattern in five colors. Rated Class I/A for non-wallcovering applications. UL 94 V-0 and 5V fire rating.

•KYDEX 150 High performance sheet for building product applications. Rated Class I/A in gauges to .060" (1.52mm); Class II/B in gauges to 0.093" (2.36mm). UL listed.

•KYDEX 152 AR Super tough, durable sheet sets new standards for thermoformers and membrane pressers in formability, rigidity, breakage resistance, and abrasion resistance.

•KYDEX 152 WG Super tough, durable sheet is available in five aesthetically pleasing woodgrain patterns. This material brings new dimensions to thermoformers and membrane pressers in extensibility, toughness, and fire retardancy in a woodgrain design.

•KYDEX 160 High performance sheet for building product and clean room applications. Rated Class I/A and Class 10 in gauges to .125" (3.12mm). UL listed.

•KYDEX 160A A thermoplastic sheet that is used for laminating and thermoforming applications. Meets the Australian fire retardant properties of AS 1530.3 and 1530.4.

•KYDEX 161 A proprietary, high performance thermoplastic sheet that meets the M1 requirement for the French Epiradiateur Test NFP 92-501.

•KYDEX 1900 Mid-temperature aircraft grade with improved heat distortion characteristics for higher in-service temperatures 168-178°F (75-81°C). Meets FAR requirement 25.853(a).

•KYDEX 200 General purpose sheet with good impact resistance, excellent extensibility and solvent resistance. Cost competitive with many other thermoplastics.

•KYDEX 301 A proprietary Bi-layer thermoplastic sheet that is cost competitive with fire retardant ABS (FR-ABS) formulations but with superior properties ... it is less hygroscopic than FR-ABS ... eliminates drying.

•KYDEX 510 KYDEX sheet of any color with a clear, weatherable cap. Caps also available with black/white or rust/gray granite patterns.

•KYDEX 550 Weatherable, monolithic (no cap) sheet in limited light colors. Excellent impact resistance.

•KYDEX 6185 High-temperature aircraft grade with improved heat distortion characteristics for higher in-service temperatures 180-195°F (82-90.5°C). Meets FAR requirement 25.853(a).

•KYDEX 6200 High performance grade for mass transit vehicle interiors. Meets FTA and FRA fire requirements. Meets low smoke generation requirements.

•KYDEX 6565 High performance grade for aircraft interiors. Meets FAR fire requirements 25.853 (a) and (d).Meets low smoke and low RHR generation requirements.

•KYDEX L Damage-resistant laminating material. Ratings of Class I/A and UL 94 V-0 in gauges to .040 (1.02mm). Can also be thermoformed and membrane pressed.

•KYDEX T High impact, high performance, fire-rated sheet. Cost competitive with flame retardant ABS, but with great impact and extensibility.

•KYDEX V Recycled grade of Kydex "utility black" #52065 sheet. Excellent performance-to-cost ratio.

•KYDEX V100 Recycled black #52114 sheet. Rated UL 94 V-0. Excellent performance-to-cost ratio.

•KYDEX V102 Recycled beige #72401, gray #52346, or black #52114 Kydex sheet with cap in select colors. Rated UL 94 V-0 and 5V.

•KYDEX V103 A recycled grade of a proprietary thermoplastic sheet that is cost competitive with other grades of thermoplastic sheet while offering improved performance.

For more information visit Professional Plastics Kydex Web Page

Or call (888) 995-7767 for the nearest Professional Plastics location.

Vespel® polyimide shapes by DuPont are available online

Vespel® polyimide shapes are produced from advanced polymers developed by DuPont. Vespel® polyimide combines High-Temperature Performance, Natural Lubricity, Dimensional Stability, Chemical Resistance, Creep Resistance, and more.

Vespel® does not outgas or melt at any temperature & performs well in vacuum applications, even in extremely low cryogenic temperatures.

Vespel® polyimide is available in five standard grades:

•Vespel® SP-1 - Unfilled. Maximum strength & elongation: lowest modulus & thermal conductivity: optimum electrical properties.

•Vespel® SP-21 - 15% graphite (by weight). Enhances inherent wear resistance, improves long term thermal stability.
•Vespel® SP-22 - 40% graphite (by weight). Gives low coefficient of thermal expansion. Maximum creep resistance.
•Vespel® SP-211 - 15% graphite and 10% TEFLON® fluorocarbon resin (by weight). Lowest static friction.
•Vespel® SP-3 - 15% MoS2 (by weight). Best wear performance in dry environments. Dupont Vespel®

For more details visit Professional Plastics' Website or call (888) 995-7767.

Plexiglass Acrylic Sheets for Sale - Wholesale or Retail

Plexiglass / Extruded Acrylic Sheet (aka Plexiglass, Lucite, Acrylite, Optix, Plexi) is an excellent glazing, signage, window or display material that is unaffected by moisture, and offers a high strength-to-weight ratio. Acrylic (plexiglass) offers high light transmittance and can be easily heat-formed without loss of optical clarity.

- Plexiglass is 17 times stronger than glass, but 50% of the weight !!

Links:
Plexiglass Sheet Order Online - E-Commerce Page
Plexiglass Color Chart
Extruded Acrylic - Data Sheet
Plexiglass Machining Guidelines
Plexiglass Aquarium Tutorial
Plexiglass Extruded Tubes

Plexiglass Cast Acrylic Tubes
Plexiglass Cast Acrylic Rods
Buffing & Polishing Kit
 
For more information contact Professional Plastics, Inc at (888) 995-7767 or e-mail sales@proplas.com

Tygon® 2075 Ultra Chemical Resistant Tubing

Tygon® 2075 Ultra Chemical Resistant Tubing offers an unequaled combination of chemical resistance, clarity and flexibility. Tygon® Ultra Chemical Resistant Tubing is virtually unaffected by acids, bases, ketones, salts and alcohols, fitting the requirements of many applications from battery acid filling to hazardous material handling. It's entirely plasticizer-free, eliminating fluid contamination and the premature embrittlement and cracking common with many flexible tubings. Its exceptionally smooth inner surface inhibits particulate buildup and reduces the potential for contamination.

For more details, click here: Tygon® 2075 Ultra Chemical Resistant Tubing
 
To request a quote, call (888) 995-7767 or e-mail sales@proplas.com

Polyimide Shapes - Vespel®, Meldin® & Plavis®

Polyimide ( PI ) is a polymer of imide monomers. Thermosetting polyimides are commercially available as stock shapes, thin sheets, laminates and machined parts. Thermosetting polyimides are known for thermal stability, good chemical resistance, and excellent mechanical properties. Thermoset polyimides exhibit very low creep and high tensile strength. These properties are maintained during continuous use to temperatures of 450°F (232°C) and for short excursions, as high as 900°F (482°C). Molded polyimide parts and laminates have very good heat resistance. Normal operating temperatures for such parts and laminates range from cryogenic to those exceeding 500°F (260°C). Polyimides are also inherently resistant to flame combustion and do not usually need to be mixed with flame retardants. Most carry a UL rating of VTM-0.

Polyimide shapes are produced via Isostatic Molding, Compression Molding or Direct-Forming. Polyimide materials are lightweight, flexible, resistant to heat and chemicals. Therefore, they are used in the electronics industry for flexible cables, as an insulating film on magnet wire and for medical tubing. The semiconductor industry uses polyimide for components such as Clamp Rings, Screws, Seals and Wafer Handling Components.

Professional Plastics offers a full line of polyimide shapes including:
Vespel® Polyimide from Dupont
Meldin® Polyimide from Saint Gobain
Plavis® Polyimide from Daelim
Kapton® polyimide film from DuPont

For more information visit http://www.professionalplastics.com/ or call 1-888-995-7767