While the “poly” based plastic materials only date
back some 60 years, and are therefore the youngest materials in the
Smiths range, they include some of the most widely used and successful
plastics used in manufacturing industry today. Nevertheless, some of the
earlier types of plastic are still in demand and they too are included
in this catalogue.
The basics
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.
Grade selection
| ABS |
HDPE |
PA6G |
PET-P |
PPE |
PVDF |
| ACRYLIC |
PA12 |
PC |
POMC |
PSU |
UHMWPE |
| CARP |
PA6 |
PEEK |
POMH |
PTFE |
|
| ECTFE |
PA66 |
PEI |
PP |
PVC |
|
|
|
