PEEK For Industrial Applications

October 18, 2022  |  , ,

gears made out of Ryton plastic

PEEK is a high-performance engineering plastic with outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals, excellent mechanical strength, and dimension stability. PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is an organic thermoplastic polymer, comprised of a semi-crystalline structure which gives it a strong chemical structure.

PEEK is an excellent choice for industrial applications because of its ability to resist harsh conditions:

Resistant to a Wide Range of Chemicals: 

PEEK performs in the toughest chemical environments, capable of resisting more than 140 types of acids, bases, oils, liquids, salts, and elements.

 Immense Temperature Resistance: 

PEEK has an extremely high melting point at 662 °F. It can be used in applications with temperatures up to 482 °F. 

 Extended Resistance to Hydrolysis Process: 

Hydrolysis refers to the chemical process where water is added to a substance. PEEK has the ability to withstand exposure to steam and water for long periods of time without degrading.

 Great Durability: 

PEEK is tough, stiff, and extremely strong.  It has the capability to withstand friction and can perform for long periods of time without suffering from wear and tear.

PEEK is an optimal choice for industrial applications. Most industries see PEEK as the preferred material for parts that are used in extremely harsh application industries. These include oil and gas, mining, heavy equipment, and renewable energy.

Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possesses the expertise to design and manufacture technically challenging projects and offer complex solutions within harsh application industries.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can assist in your material selection challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or [email protected].

 

 

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EnduroSharp® Awarded GSA Contract with the Federal Government

October 4, 2022  |  , , ,

Performance Plastics is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contract with the federal government for our EnduroSharp®   Torlon® non-marring aircraft maintenance tools. The GSA is the centralized authority for the acquisition and management of federal government resources. GSA Schedule Contracts assist federal employees in purchasing products and services.

To be approved for a GSA contract, companies must go through a rigorous process of review that takes months, if not years. The requirements include that the company meet some basic standards of strength and reliability. It must have been in business for at least two years, must be able to demonstrate financial stability, must have successful past performance under its belt, and must be compliant with the Trade Agreements Act.

Additionally, a Dun & Bradstreet Open Ratings Past Performance Evaluation report must be done. This report is an in-depth review of a company’s past performance, which uses Dun & Bradstreet’s own data and analytic resources together with direct customer survey responses to compile a full picture.

Performance Plastics is proud to say that our proposal was approved and can now make our EnduroSharp®  tools available to the federal government’s various agencies and employees.

“We are thrilled to have received this contract with GSA and view it as an opportunity to expand our business into new, but not unfamiliar, areas,” said Rich Reed, VP of Sales & Marketing.  “PPL has supported federal projects for many years.  Through this GSA contract, we now can extend that support even further within the Government sector.”

Our offerings will now be available on the GSAAdvantage! federal online catalog, making them accessible to hundreds of federal customers, including federal and executive agencies, the Department of Defense, the government of the District of Columbia, government contractors authorized to spend federal dollars, and other institutions and organizations that support the federal government.

 

 

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PEEK® for Aerospace/Defense Applications

September 26, 2022  |  , ,

PEEK or polyetheretherketone belongs to a family of polymers called polyketones or iPAEKs.  This means that is it built from the following building blocks:

  • ARYL
  • ETHER
  • KETONE

PEEK is one of the highest performing thermoplastics in the world.  Compared to metals, PEEK based materials are very light weight, easily shaped, resistant to corrosion and have considerably higher specific strength (strength per unit weight).

PEEK is optimal for aerospace applications because although it is a thermoplastic, it boasts heat resistance, little to no reaction against harmful chemicals and radiation, and comparable tensile and load strength to that of titanium and steel while being many times lighter.

PEEK® does not offer merely two or three properties that mark it as the polymer of choice for aerospace/defense; it has a whole variety of them.  They include:

  • High heat resistance

Tests have shown that PEEK polymer has a continuous use temperature of 260°C (500°F). This can make it suitable for use in a wide range of thermally aggressive environments.  PEEK tolerates friction and resists wear in dynamic applications like thrust washers and seal rings.

  • Chemically unreactive

PEEK resists the damage that can be inflicted in chemically aggressive operational environments. It can resist jet fuel, hydraulic fluids, de-icers and insecticides used in the aerospace industry.  This holds true over wide ranges of pressure, temperature, and time.

  • Mechanically strong

PEEK offers excellent strength and stiffness over a wide temperature range.  PEEK-based composites have specific strength many times that of metals and alloys.  “Creep” refers to a material becoming permanently deformed over an extended period when under constant applied stress. “Fatigue” refers to the brittle failure of a material under a repeated cyclic loading.  PEEK has both high creep and fatigue resistance thanks to its semi-crystalline structure and has been shown to be more durable than many other polymers and some metals over a long and useful lifetime.

  • Difficult to ignite or burn

PEEK has excellent flammability performance.  It resists combustion up to almost 600°C.  When it can be made to burn at very high temperatures, it will not support combustion and it emits little smoke. This is one reason why PEEK is widely used in commercial aircraft.

Aerospace/defense part manufacturers now use PEEK as a way to improve the weight and durability of their parts.  PEEK is a standard high-performance plastics in the aerospace/defense industry applications.

Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possess the expertise to design and manufacture technically challenging projects and offer complex solutions within the aerospace/defense industries.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can assist in your material selection challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or [email protected].

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Why Machine when you can Injection Mold

September 13, 2022  |  , , , , ,

Performance Plastics specializes in the precision injection molding of technically complicated parts in advanced materials, eliminating the need to machine.

High performance plastic materials offer ideal properties when it comes to durability. Resins like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE/Teflon®) are known for their dielectric strength, low dissipation, chemical resistance, outstanding performance at elevated temperatures, and levels of coefficient friction. However, these unique properties can make molding some fluoropolymers quite difficult. Performance Plastics has found a way to offer the benefits of these materials by injection molding alternate fluoropolymers such as FEP and PFA.

At Performance Plastics, we are experts at precision injection molding. We have developed proprietary tool design software, processes and equipment enabling us to injection mold components having complex geometries made from challenging high-performance thermoplastic materials (PFA/FEP/PEEK®/PTFE) and highly loaded compounds. We utilize a unique combination of extensive material knowledge, mold flow analysis, a design system and process expertise to eliminate or minimize the need for secondary operations.

Switching from machining parts to injection molding parts can be very beneficial. Not only does injection molding help lower costs, but it also allows for highly efficient production, complexity in part design, and enhanced part strength. Injection molding produces uniformity, the ability to make millions of virtually identical parts.

Injection molding isn’t for every project, but it can be cost beneficial for applications producing more than 10,000 pieces of the same part year over year. At Performance Plastics, we serve a variety of industries, from medical & life science, aerospace & defense to diversified industrial.

To learn about how precision injection molding can replace machined parts, contact Rich Reed, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

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FEP Uses in Semiconductor Manufacturing

September 6, 2022  |  , , ,

Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) is a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoro ethylene that is chemically resistant, electrically stable, insulating and possesses useful low shielding properties.  It is easily formable and was developed as a melt processable material.

Semiconductors are the brains of electronics, enabling advances in countless applications and emerging technologies. The application of semiconductor devices can be found in almost every technology today, ranging from cars, phones, computers and much more. The manufacturing of semiconductors and semi-conductor related products require reliable, high purity materials that can survive harsh operating conditions.  The correct solution can increase production efficiency, reduce power requirements and increase process reliability.

FEP coatings are well suited for applications in the semiconductor industry where they are used in the manufacture of wafer carriers, sensors, seals, fittings and pump parts which are optimal for transporting high-purity chemicals in semiconductor manufacturing.

Key Material Properties for Semiconductor Applications

  • Reliable mechanical performance
  • Low levels of total organic carbon
  • High performance in pure deionized water
  • Low permeation rates
  • Resistance to both dry and wet process

For more information on FEP uses in Semiconductor manufacturing, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or [email protected]

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The real cost of making an injection mold

August 9, 2022  |  , , , ,

When starting to produce a new product, it’s important to decide on the type of process you will use for the manufacturing process.  While injection molding is a very cost-effective process, the initial startup cost of the mold is often a barrier of entry.

Injection molding is a manufacturing process that is very efficient for producing parts in large volume.  It is typically used in the mass production process where the same part is being created in the thousands or even millions.

Upfront costs tend to be very high due to the design, testing, and tooling requirements.  If you are going to produce parts in high volumes, you want to make sure you get the design correct the first time. So, what are the costs associated with producing an injection mold?

  • Choice of Resin

One of the biggest factors that effect the price of the plastic injection molding process is the type of plastic resin used in manufacturing.  The choice of material will change the price based on color, compounding, and additives.  The most abrasive or corrosive the material, the most expensive the mold.

  • Complexity

The more intricate the component, the more difficult it is to design the manufacturing process.  Part complexity, tolerances, number of undercuts as well as surface finish all effect the cost.

  • Size

The size of the component also drives the price.  Larger parts require larger, more expensive molds, as well as more material to manufacture.  Larger molds also take longer to make, which increases the costs.

  • Mold Material

The material the mold is made from significantly impacts the price.  Short production molds are usually made from less expensive materials such as aluminum.  Long production molds require molds made from more durable and expensive materials like steel that will retain their features across several years.

  • Cavities

The higher the number of cavities – the higher the production costs.  Experienced mold designers can maximize cavitations to enhance productivity and lower costs even for the most intricate parts and components.

  • Mold Base

The base of the mold is the case used for holding all the components, inserts and cavities of the mold.  The price of the mold base depends on the type of steel and the size of the mold.

At Performance Plastics, we know how important it is to make the correct decisions when designing a mold.  We have a team of process experts who work with our clients to design and assist in the mold process. We focus on the total cost of ownership of a mold, production capacity, longevity, functionality, as well as initial capital expense.

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

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EnduroSharp® Torlon® Aircraft Maintenance Tools – Why Use a Pneumatic Tool

July 27, 2022  |  , , ,

EnduroSharp® has improved the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners.  EnduroSharp® resharpenable, non-marring tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating a non-metallic blade tool that will not damage composite structures during use.

Many of our EnduroSharp® tools can be used in conjunction with a pneumatic tool.  A pneumatic tool is one that’s driven with the assistance of compressed air rather than electricity.  Pneumatic tools rely on air compressors to provide a burst of air to perform its operation. A pneumatic tool can operate indefinitely as long as the attached air compressor can deliver the required volume and pressure without interruption.

Pneumatic Tools are very strong air powered tools and provide the user with a tremendous amount of labor and time saving torque.

Pneumatic tools provide many advantages:

  • Main advantage is they are far less expensive than their electric alternatives.
  • Provide a degree of safety in wet areas where electric motors can be dangerous.
  • Lighter in weight than their electric counterparts.
  • Pneumatic tools can deliver large amounts of torque or operate for long durations of time.
  • More flexible than electric – nearly all air-driven tools use the same ¼” quick connect fittings.

Generally, pneumatic tools are smaller, more versatile, easy-to-use and safer than traditional electric tools.  Since pneumatic tools are usually lighter, the user is able to have better control and experience less fatigue and strain.  They are also able to withstand various elements such as dust, heat and water better than electric tools.

The EnduroSharp® Pneumatic Tool for Scraper Blades is just one of the many products offered in the EnduroSharp® Product line. Contact Rich Reed,  Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected], for more information.

 

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All You Need to Know About EnduroSharp Torlon Gap Filler Removal Discs

July 14, 2022  |  , , ,

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 tool that will not damage composite structures during use. The EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutters, bits, and discs for removal of adhesives on aircrafts. The product line also includes a variety of kits containing a selection of parts and sizes.

Traditionally, aerospace maintenance professionals removed sealants and adhesives from  gaps utilizing solvents and/or abrasive scraper tools.  Solvents are very dangerous in that they may dissolve unintended materials, and produce hazardous fumes.  Abrasive scraper tools are often hard to control and may cause unintended substrate damage.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal (GFRD) Discs are designed for use with a pneumatic tool. The tools provide aerospace maintenance professionals with an effective method of safely removing flexibilized epoxy gap materials as well as cutting or scoring thick elastomeric coatings without damaging composite substructures.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal (GFRD) Discs are shipped 4 parts per box.

The EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal Discs are just one of the many different items offered in the EnduroSharp® product line. Contact Rich Reed our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected],  for more information on our EnduroSharp® kits and products.

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EnduroSharp®Nonmetallic (Torlon®) Aircraft Maintenance Tools

June 30, 2022  |  , , , ,

EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners. EnduroSharp® resharpenable tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating a non-metallic blade tool that will not damage composite structures during use.

The lack of reliable and effective nonmetallic material removal tools available to maintainers drove the continued use of unapproved tools and/or methods for removing materials from aerospace vehicles. The use of metallic tools has resulted in damage to vehicles, both short term and long term, causing the need for expensive repairs and reduction in vehicle availability.

Because of this need, The University of Dayton Research Institute under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory developed a series of nonmetallic material removal tools under the “EnduroSharp” trademark manufactured from Torlon thermoplastic manufactured by Solvay Engineered Plastics and produced by Performance Plastics of Cincinnati OH.

Attached is the published white paper outlining the development of the “EnduroSharp®” line of Torlon® non-metallic aircraft maintenance tools.  In this paper you will find:

  • Abstract
  • Background
  • Prototype Development Path
    • Gap Filler Removal Bits
    • Torlon Scraper Blades
    • Torlon Gap Blades
  • Results
  • Conclusions

To review the white paper in full, please click here.

EnduroSharp® Products are currently approved for use by numerous governmental and corporate defense organizations including the USAF, USMC, USN, USCG, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Dassault.

EnduroSharp® Products are now available as individual components, tools and consumables or as Aviation Kits.

For more information on the EnduroSharp® line or Torlon® Aircraft Maintenance Tools, please contact our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com/endurosharp.

 

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Benefits of Reshoring for Medical Device Manufacturers

June 28, 2022  |  , , , ,

Medical devices must be dependable and safe, and moving operations back to the United States allow companies to have better control over the entire operation – procurement, engineering, production, and distribution.  The result is a higher standard of quality in products.  Medical device companies and other advanced industries need to have extensive and precise control over the entire supply chain of their products.

As an American small business, Performance Plastics is pleased to see the trend of manufacturing operations moving back to the United States.  A range of economic and strategic factors due to the recent epidemic have tipped the scales exponentially since 2020.

While there are many benefits of reshoring, some of the most important reasons include:

  • Greater Control of Supply Chain

Getting all your moving pieces to work seamlessly can be a near impossible task, especially across language and time zone barriers.  One of the primary advantages of reshoring is that it allows you to tighten your supply chain.

  • Reduced Lead Times

The greater the distance between where your device is manufactured and where you are located, the longer you can expect your lead time to be.  However, distance is not the only factor.  When moving from one country to another, inspection and transportation times between countries can add up to 50% to your lead time.

  • Fewer Import Tariffs

Import tariffs vary from administration to administration, but they will always be in place.  The recent increase in tariffs have caused the cost advantages of manufacturing offshore to shrink.

  • Reduced Energy Costs

Recent changes to international gas and power prices have drastically increased the prices of manufacturing and transportation from other countries.  Impact on the environment and achieving higher sustainability are very important to consumers.

  • Potential to Improve Brand Perception

Although we live in an international community, the origin of a product still has an impact on the perception of quality.  Some lower cost manufacturing countries even have a perception of being “dangerous”.

Medical devices necessitate the highest quality standards possible, which can’t always be regulated in an offshore manufacturing environment.  The vast global, economic, legal and social changes are all very dynamic and unpredictable in nature – making relocating operations a more sustainable, stable and efficient choice.

At Performance Plastics, we are experts in injection molding, specializing in high performance plastics for medical device components. Our proprietary tool design software, processes and equipment enable us to injection mold components having complex geometries made from challenging ultra, high-performance thermoplastic materials, and reinforced compounds.

For more information on Performance Plastic’s capabilities, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales, and Marketing at 513.321.8404 or email at [email protected] 

 

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