High Performance Plastics for Extreme Applications

[ sales@dotmar.com.au | sales@dotmar.co.nz ] [ October 2009 ]

High Performance Plastics for Extreme Applications

Engineering plastics has a proven track record for excellent performance in many demanding application environments. But what if an application calls for performance under the rigors of extreme conditions?

A range of Advanced Engineering Plastic Products or AEPP's provide the solution where general purpose thermoplastics may not meet the challenge. AEPP's are positioned at the top of the plastics performance triangle and expand the limits for use under extremely high temperatures, with excellent mechanical performance and dimensional stability. AEPP's also offer resistance against high energy radiation, unmatched chemical and wear resistance and increased dielectric properties.

The top AEPP's performers are Celazole PBI and Torlon PAI. Celazole PBI offers extremely high maximum allowable service temperature in air of 310 °C continuously, going up to 500 °C for short periods (3-4 hours). Celazole also offers improved wear performance and longer life in sensitive applications, such as light bulb contact parts and provide an extra margin of safety in electrical connectors used by aircraft engine manufacturers.

Quadrant Brings High Performance Plastics Design and Material Know-how Online

www.designwithtorlon.com

Quadrant has developed an interactive and entertaining multimedia website providing knowledge and experience on Torlon® PAI material selection, design and machining. The primary aim of the site is to illustrate the material properties and performance advantages of Torlon PAI when compared to machinable polyimide materials.

Can engineering plastics be used outdoors?

Not all engineering plastics are suitable for long term outdoor use and non-UV stable grades will degrade over time. Dotmar supplies a range of engineering plastics that is resistant to both UV exposure and moisture, making them suitable for outdoor use.

Did you know...

Plastics use only 4% of the world's oil as feedstock compared to 86% used for heating and transport and most of this is recoverable via energy recovery.

The energy to manufacture plastics from raw materials compares favorably with metal ore smelting and glass manufacturing, and it uses clean technology, thus minimising emissions. Conversion energy (energy consumed during the processing of plastic resin into useful products) is also lower when compared to metal and glass processing because lower process temperatures are required.

Most manufacturers process their own scrap material in-house with the result that a significant volume of scrap produced during manufacturing is re-ground and not discarded as waste. With all the advances in manufacturing and recycling, modern day plastics present many examples of ecoefficiency.

Conveyor Products

Chemlam® PTFE Coated Fabrics - Heatbelts That Take the Heat and Won't Get You Stuck

Chemlam® high performance laminates are manufactured by Saint Gobain Performance Plastics, the largest and most technically advanced manufacturer in fluoropolymer coated fabrics in the world.

Chemlam® is the brand name for a family of flexible, non-porous PFTE (Teflon®) composites that combine the features of multi-layer PTFE films with the strength of reinforced fabric. It is typically used in food processing for conveyor belts for grills, baking and cooling processes, cryogenic freezing, heat sealing or as non-stick liners. Chemlam® laminates exceed customer's expectations in applications where resistance to chemicals, extreme heat and sticking are demanding.

Chemlam® Heatbelts have coatings that are built up in layers (similar to multiple dippings of a candle) to produce a crack and pinhole-free surface. The lack of cracks and pinholes offer many important benefits, including ease of cleaning because there are no anchor points for contaminates. Because the laminates protect their reinforcement materials better, the belt or surface retains its mechanical properties longer.

To request your electronic copy of Dotmar's "HEATBELTS" Brochure contact: lance.bergroth@dotmar.com.au.

DotNews

The Dotmar Website - Dynamic, Innovative and Most of All Informative

The new Dotmar website has seen many improvements since its launch in May 2009. The new website continued its tradition of a "first point of reference" tool, providing valuable product and technical information and has been well received by its users. Recent additions include new content focused on traditional materials replacement and a literature download facility.

Plastics is becoming increasingly popular to replace conventional materials like metals, timber and rubber, and the benefits of thermoplastic usage is explained under the SOLUTIONS section of the website.

Where product literature is available a downloadable PDF document can now be accessed that can be saved or printed for reference.

The Dotmar website is a work in progress and we will continuously be adding new features and updated product information, thus ensuring that this valuable tool remains current and reflects the growth of this dynamic industry.

We welcome comments or suggestions for future issues of SOLUTIONS. Please feel free to contact our Marketing Department directly in this regard. sonia.crouche@dotmar.com.au.