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

Polystone® M XDT - New X-Ray Detectable UHMW-PE Shapes

Polystone® M XDT (X-Ray Detectable UHMW-PE) is available from Professional Plastics, Inc.
Röchling Engineering Plastics continues to set trends and provide solutions in the food processing and pharmaceutical industries when it comes to product safety and quality assurance – announcing the first X-ray detectable UHMW-PE available in the market.

Repeated handling, cleaning and normal wear and tear of plastic component parts on food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing machinery increases the risk of a fragment breaking off and contaminating the product during processing.

The need for traceable plastics, especially machined parts for filling, sorting and packaging machinery is critical due to strict FDA regulations regarding foreign materials and contaminants. Since we introduced our line of Metal Detectable engineering plastics (Polystone M MDT (UHMW-PE) and Sustarin C MDT (Acetal)) more than two years ago, these unique products continue be an effective solution for plastic parts used in open product zone applications.

However moving forward, we quickly realized a demand for X-ray detectable plastic parts for today's high speed machinery as processors turn to X-ray inspection equipment especially for post-package inspection. Working together with one of the world's largest food processors and a leading manufacturer of X-ray inspection systems, our Polystone M XDT has proven to be detected with a particle size as small as a 3mm cube. Running at speeds as fast as 250 feet-per-minute, this product can be detected and automatically sorted to a product hold area for further inspection. It works effectively with various types of packaging including metal cans, plastic and composite containers and glass jars.

Applications: - Scraper blades - Mixer Components - Baffles - Filler plates - Wear plates - Pillow blocks - Pocket fillers - Volumetric fillers - Cups & Sleeves - Piston fillers - Hopper guides - Dividers

Polystone® M XDT can be detected as small as a 3mm cube.

Polystone® M XDT - the industry's first X-ray detectable UHMW-PE

Note:  It is the responsibility of the user to test and approve the detection of this product due to variations in x-ray detection systems and required sensitivity settings.

Polystone® M XDT is available in both sheets, rods and fabricated parts to your specifications.
Rods: .500" to 6" diameter (12.7mm to 152mm)
Sheets: 3/8" to 4" thick (9.52mm to 101mm)

Click here to order online or request a custom quote: http://www.professionalplastics.com/PolystoneM_XDT_X-RayDetectableUHMW


PROFESSIONAL PLASTICS, INC.
www.professionalplastics.com
sales@proplas.com

Unitrex® Lf20 PTFE Filled PEEK Offers Superior Performance

Unitrex® Lf20 PTFE Filled PEEK offers the performance of standard unfilled PEEK, with the addition of PTFE, resulting in a very lower coefficient of friction. For wear applications requiring both high heat resistance and resistance to many acidic and alkaline solutions, this material is an excellent choice.

With its unique combination of wear resistance, FDA compliance, UL94 V-0 flame rating and extremely low toxicity and smoke release, Unitrex Lf20 is suitable for use in a myriad of applications including aerospace, aircraft, oil & gas extraction and processing, semiconductor fabrication and many more.

Additionally, this material is increasingly being used to replace component parts made of metals due to its light weight, fabrication ease, insulating properties and design freedom, which allows for part consolidation in many applications.

Unitrex Lf20 PTFE Filled PEEK Features:

Very low coefficient of friction

High Continuous Use Temperature

FDA compliant

UL94 V-0 rated

Low toxicity and smoke release

Dimensionally stable

Highly resistant to alkaline and acidic solutions 

Easily machined and fabricated

Typical Applications:

Compressor seals

Valve components

Poppets

Pump components     

For more information, visit: http://www.professionalplastics.com/UnitrexLf20PTFE_FilledPEEK
or call Professional Plastics, Inc. at (888) 995-7767.  16 Locations in the USA and Singapore.

Professional Plastics Opens New Site in Smyrna, Georgia

Professional Plastics, a California-based supplier of plastic sheets, rods, tubing and films has opened their 16th USA warehouse-distribution center in the Atlanta suburb of Smyrna.  The new 15,000 square foot facility will be the main fulfillment point serving customers throughout the Southeastern U.S.  The new branch will handle both product distribution and sales support for Professional Plastics' customers in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. 


Stock materials include; Delrin, Acetal, Nylon, Teflon PTFE, PVC, UHMW, PVDF, Ultem, Acrylic, Plexiglass, ABS, HDPE, Polycarbonate, Vespel, Meldin, Torlon & other industrial products. 


Professional Plastics was established in 1984' and has an annual turnover in excess of $ 100 million dollars.

Customers and job applicants are welcome to contact Professional Plastics for further details.

For more information, contact:
George Taylor g.taylor@proplas.com or John Casey j.casey@proplas.com . 

Professional Plastics, Inc.
5500 South Cobb Dr
Building # 400-1
Smyrna, GA. 30080
Local Phone: (888) 259-9641
Local Fax: (770)739-1131
www.professionalplastics.com

Fluorosint® HPV Wear Resistant, FDA-Compliant PTFE Bearing Material

Fluorosint® HPV PTFE - Most Wear Resistant Fluorosint Grade - Outlasts Low-Tech PTFE Based Materials.

Quadrant's FDA-compliant Fluorosint HPV is a mica-filled high-performance bearing grade that can deliver a pressure velocity (PV) performance improvement of more than 40 per cent over other PTFE materials according to in-house tests conducted by Quadrant. Parts made of Fluorosint HPV can withstand higher loads and velocities while delivering better wear resistance, enabling the part to last longer compared to existing FDA-compliant PTFE-based materials. The product was specially developed to meet the demands of high-performance bearing applications where other, low-technology PTFE formulations would exhibit premature wear or not perform adequately. These characteristics, together with FDA compliance for food and pharmaceutical applications, open up interesting new options for engineers and manufacturers. Simply put, parts machined from Fluorosint HPV last longer than those made from many of the alternative filled PTFE materials on the market today. Fluorosint HPV can replace bronze, steel and powdered metal parts and deliver performance gains in wear life and system performance. Typical applications include thrust washers, wear guides, seals and food processing and preparation equipment.

FDA compliant Fluorosint HPV PTFE is a high performance bearing grade of Fluorosint - optimized for high PV and very low "K" or wear factor. Fluorosint HPV PTFE was developed for bearing applications where other, low-tech PTFE formulations exhibit premature wear or simply cannot perform. FDA compliance gives food and pharmaceutical equipment manufacturers new design options and all benefit from its excellent load bearing and wear characteristics.
Features of Fluorosint® HPV PTFE:

Most Wear Resistant Fluorosint Grade - Outlasts Low-tech PTFE Based Materials

FDA compliant

Optimized for high PV and very low "K" or wear factor.

Developed for bearing applications where other low-tech PTFE formulations exhibit premature wear.

Typical applications include thrust washers, wear guides, seals and food processing and preparation equipment.

Professional Plastics supplies a full range of Fluorosint products through their 16 locations throughout the USA and Singapore.  Complete technical data and pricing is available online at:  http://www.professionalplastics.com/FluorosintHPV

Hundreds of Plastic Materials in One Place

The development of new formulations of plastic materials has experienced explosive growth over the last several years.  Keeping up with these new formulations and maintining an edge in the global marketplace has never been more difficult.  Fortunately, Professional Plastics, Inc (Fullerton, CA) provides their customers with a simple and easy-to-use solution.  The Professional Plastics website gives designers and application engineers a tool for selecting just the right material for their application.  The company has developed tools including their Sortable Properties Tool, plus FDA, NSF, and USDA Agency Approval Guides.  The Soratable Properties Tool even allows designers to select multiple products and create customer side-by-side Data Comparision Tables.  The company also provides product application guides and other technical data to support the most demanding needs of their customers. 

Sortable Material Data Sheets:

http://www.professionalplastics.com/PlasticMaterialsbyProperties

Regulatory Agency Approvals:

http://www.professionalplastics.com/RegulatoryAgencyApprovalsbyMaterial

Plastic Sheet Materials (product images and descriptions)

http://www.professionalplastics.com/PLASTIC-SHEETS

For more information, call (888) 995-7767 or e-mail to sales@proplas.com for customer service.

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.