Fluoropolymers can be your solution for glass shortage

July 31, 2020  |  , ,

The shortage in glass has been an ongoing issue. This year with restaurants and bars being closed we have seen a greater shortage in the glass industry. The collection of wine and beer bottles from restaurants contributes to a large volume of recycled glass needed to meet demands. The glass shortage affects all industries that rely on glass for their containers, but right now the medical field is in dire need of glass for vials.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of ripple affects on various industries. The decrease in the recycling rate during the pandemic, is inadvertently hurting the production of glass vials. The pandemic has also increased the need of vials for the Covid-19 vaccine. Public health experts have estimated between 7 billion and 14 billion vials will be needed to distribute the vaccine. With the demand of vials going up and the supply of glass going down the need for an alternative material to create the vial is needed.

Fluoropolymers such as FEP, PFA, and PCTFE are great alternative materials for glass. These fluoropolymers are superior to conventional plastics. Their inert, non-reactive, and unmatched durability makes their properties ideal for use in the medical industry. These fluoropolymers are also non-stick, ensuring product does not adsorb to surfaces. They are also virtually impervious to chemical, enzyme and microbiological attack. All the benefits of FEP, PFA, and PCTFE make these fluoropolymers a perfect material to create vials out of, especially since they are injection moldable.

At Performance Plastics, we have extensive experience injection molding fluoropolymers. We have developed proprietary tooling and processes enabling the injection molding of small, thin-walled, complex parts. Our expertise in fluoropolymers and injection molding can be your solution to the shortage in glass.

For more information on how to use fluoropolymers as your glass shortage solution contact Rich Reed, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

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Product Spotlight – EnduroSharp® Deluxe Scraper Blade & Holder Kit

July 22, 2020  |  ,

The product line for EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners. EnduroSharp® tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating a non-metallic scraper tool that will not damage composite structures during use. The EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutter, bits, and discs for removal of adhesives on aircrafts. The product line even consists of kits containing all of the parts and sizes that you will need.

The EnduroSharp® Deluxe Scraper Blade & Holder Kit is the most popular kits ordered. This kit includes the EnduroSharp® pneumatic tool, standard scraper blade holder, pocket scraper blade holder, and 2 scraper blades of each size. EnduroSharp® Torlon® Scraper Blade (TSB) inserts come in 5 different sizes, TSB-170, TSB-230, TSB-500, TSB-750, and TSB-1200. The blades slide and lock into the detent pin of the pneumatic tool or standard scraper blade holder handle, to easily alternate between the sizes as needed. This kit also contains the pocket scraper blade holder for use of the scraper blades in smaller areas.

The EnduroSharp® Deluxe Scraper Blade & Holder kit is just one of the kits offered in the EnduroSharp® Product line. Contact Rich Reed for our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected], more information on our EnduroSharp® kits and products.

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The Key to Clean Surfaces

July 17, 2020  |  , , ,

Covid-19 has impacted our world in more ways than one. The ability to keep your office, workspace, and your whole environment sanitized has increased greatly. The use of cleaning supplies for sanitation increases depending on the type of surface that you are sanitizing. Some surfaces are more porous than others needing to be sanitized more often to maintain a clean environment. At Performance Plastics, we deal with different types of plastics every day, making us experts in various materials that excel in a clean environment.

The type of material a product is made from is a big factor when keeping a clean environment. We have a wide array of high-performance plastics to choose from for your product, however, our go to material for clean environments is always Fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are virtually impervious to chemical, enzyme and microbiological attacks while eliminating biodegradation issues. The non-stick properties of these polymers reduce adhesion, making it the perfect surface for clean environments. The ability to keep liquids, gel, powder and other contaminates from sticking to the surface is what makes fluoropolymers safe for clean environments. There are various types of fluoropolymers such as PTFE, PFA, and FEP. Each polymer has their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to various applications.

For more information on Fluoropolymers, contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

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EnduroSharp® Can Impact The New Aviation Sustainability Needs

July 9, 2020  |  

Sustainability is on the rise in the aviation industry. The need of lowering the aviation carbon footprint is increasing, to lower the amount of decommissioned aircrafts. Making it their goal to recycle as much of an aircraft as possible to reflect a zero-waste philosophy. EnduroSharp® Aircraft Maintenance Tools, can help with this goal.

The EnduroSharp® Product line is used to repair and maintain aircraft structures. The product line consists of non-metallic removal tools that will not cause damage your aircraft during the sealant, adhesives, and coating removal process. The EnduroSharp® nonmarring aircraft maintenance tools are made from Torlon®, a high-performance plastic that creates a durable tool that will hold a superior edge. Creating an effective tool for your aircraft maintainers, that will not damage aircraft structures, like aluminum and composite allowing your aircraft structures to last longer.

“For decades, aircraft maintainers have searched for a non-metallic sealant and coatings scraper that would hold an effective edge, but not pose a threat to aircraft structures, like aluminum and composite. They’ve tried sharpened acrylic, polycarbonate, phenolic, and fiber reinforced plastics of all kinds. Nothing has really worked, and often maintainers have resorted to sharpened putty knives, scribes, and utility blades. Finally, a non-metallic blade system comes along that actually works. The Torlon® scraper system is like “The Holy Grail” of non-metallic scraper blades. No toolbox for working with removal of coatings from composites and sensitive structures should be without them.”- -Aerospace Repair Developer

For more information on our EnduroSharp® Product Line contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

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Transferring Injection Molds Back to the U.S.

July 1, 2020  |  

Are you out-sourcing injection molded products in Asia and concerned with the risk?

The manufacturing world has been under a great amount of stress from effects of the Corona Virus. COVID-19 put a dent into companies everyday work flow. The ability to purchase items from other countries and the way your company operates has been altered. All this change caused serious brainstorming, to find a way around the roadblocks put into place by COVID-19. The biggest roadblock for the injection molding industry has been how to continue running when your mold has been delayed from the virus’s effects on China’s import and export of goods.

Transferring molds from China back to the United States has been a huge topic Pre-COVID-19. Tariffs, IP theft, and economies of scale are the largest factors that determine whether mold transfers from China are in your company’s’ best interest. Every company’s situation is different, but do not let the idea of transferring your mold back to the U.S. scare you.

The process of transferring your mold is not only scary, but it can also delay in your production as well. Transferring a mold from one supplier to another can take between two and six weeks, however, at Performance Plastics we have done it in three weeks. We are skilled in the art of mold transfer, especially since half of the customers we currently have started out by transferring their mold to us. Mold transfer is not a small task, but it can be an easy one when you are working with the right company.

To learn more about how Performance Plastics can help transfer your mold, contact Rich Reed, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

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