Ultem – A Powerhouse Polymer

March 24, 2021  |  , , , , ,

Ultem PEI Polyethermide thermoplastic component

When trying to choose the correct polymer for your application, understanding the materials can help you make your decision.  For parts that require superior strength and durability, Ultem® is often a great choice.

 Ultem® is a semi-transparent high strength plastic material that can operate in high service temperature environments.  It is the ideal choice for demanding, high heat applications and can withstand continuous operating temperatures of 340 degrees F while maintaining strength and rigidity.

 Ultem® is a member of the PEI (polyetherimide) family of thermoplastic resins. It provides a unique balance of mechanical properties and processability that gives engineers superior flexibility and freedom in design. Ultem is available in a variety of grades that provide enhanced chemical, heat, and elasticity benefits. It also features high tensile strength, stiffness, strength to weight ratio and dimensional stability.

Ultem® is the high-performance polyetherimide material of choice for many aerospace, aircraft, medical and pharmaceutical applications, including medical components. It offers exceptional mechanical properties and exhibits natural flame resistance and extremely low smoke generation.

  • Heat, solvent and flame resistant
  • High dielectric strength and stability
  • Excellent mechanical properties
  • Rigid and strong
  • Exceptional resistance to environmental forces

Performance Plastics is highly skilled at designing and molding using high performance materials such as Ultem®, Torlon®, PEEK, POM, and PPS.  We work with our customers to solve technically challenging problems.   We can propose materials to implement part functionality in the design stage of development. We offer manufacturing solutions such as a clean room, the ability to offer direct gating of fluoropolymers, high volume production, visual inspection and automated facilities.

For more information and solutions, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513-321-8404 or email [email protected]

/by

Injection Molded PFA & PPSU in the Lithium Ion Battery

March 3, 2021  |  ,

The Lithium Ion Battery industry has begun using more and more plastic parts in their manufacturing processes. Most batteries intended for light vehicle usage now have 50% more plastic materials than they did even 10 years ago.  Some batteries have entirely plastic formulations ranging from the electrolyte (polymeric electrolytes) to the casing.  This is due to the very low weight of plastics as compared to metals. Plastic incorporation in batteries increases the electrolyte efficiency if used in polymeric electrolytes.

Commercially available lithium-ion batteries also use plastics. Plastic components incorporated in batteries include separators, gaskets, and casing components. Plastics have good shock absorbing characteristics and prevent damage to the basic cell unit from minor accidental shocks. Also, plastics such as Teflon® PFA, Ultem® PEI, and PPSU have high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and are electrical insulators so they are excellent at preventing short-circuit and “rapid disassembly.”

There has been a major shift from metal to resins in gasket manufacturing. Gaskets can be made from Ultem®, Ryton plastic and Fluoropolymers like PFA because of high heat resistance, chemical resistance, and ability to mold thin walls (.012”). Plastic parts may also lower the cost of production of batteries and may eventually replace most metallic components of batteries.

Performance Plastics is highly skilled at designing and molding high performance materials such as FEP/PFA, Ultem®, Torlon®, PEEK, POM, and PPS.  We work with our customers to solve technically challenging problems.   We can propose materials to implement part functionality in the design stage of development. We offer manufacturing solutions such as a clean room, the ability to offer direct gating of fluoropolymers, high volume production, visual inspection and automated facilities.

For more information and solutions, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513-321-8404 or email [email protected]

/by

How to Pick the Best Molding Partner for your Application

February 25, 2021  |  , , , ,

At Performance Plastics, we understand that working with a qualified molding company is crucial to your company’s success.  It is vital to find a team to support your company’s mission and commitment to delivering quality products on time.  We have found over time, that there are three essential components that should weigh in your decision-making process when choosing a molder for your next application: Education, Trust and Quality.

Education

Is your molding partner educated about your company and your products?  Do they understand your needs and goals?  Do they understand advanced materials and their properties?  Understanding resins and best molding practices including raw materials, drying time, heat history and molding temperatures will affect the outcome and quality of your application.

Trust

Trust is important in any business relationship – especially one that reflects on your business.  Do you trust your molding partner to properly do the job?  Open and continuous communication with key management of your molding partner is crucial to the success of any application.  Your team should keep you informed of market conditions pertaining to raw materials, new techniques, and opportunities for improvement?

Quality and Quantity

Quality and Quantity, both are important to your business.  Your customers rely on you for quality, dependable parts, but you must rely on your team for an on-time and dependable process.  Dependable processes, such as quality procedures, run rates and material quality control produce quality parts.

Performance Plastics, located in Cincinnati, OH has over 30 years’ experience molding tight tolerance advanced plastics such as Fluoropolymers (FEP/PFA Torlon, Peek & Ultem) for many industries.  We have developed proprietary processes enabling injection molding of parts that are thin walled, with tight dimensional tolerances, and complex geometries.

Education, Trust and Quality.  Think about these questions when choosing your molding partner. Remember – education, trust, communication, and quality of work are vital to a long-lasting business relationship. Ask the questions and get some answers. This will assist you in finding and maintaining a dependable partnership.

For more information and solutions, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513-321-8404 or email [email protected].

/by

Designing and Molding Complex Plastic Parts

January 27, 2021  |  , , , , , ,

Every project has its own needs and goals.  Complex geometries involving fine details or sharp corners often cannot be achieved by traditional plastic molding. Advanced plastic injection molding processes allow designers to combine numerous complex features into a single component, reducing the need for secondary machining or surface finishing operations.

Plastic Injection molding allows design freedom not easily matched by other traditional processes.  Performance Plastics’ augments the latest software tools including solid modeling, mold flow analysis and finite element analysis with an internally developed iterative tool design approach to deliver complex geometries and densities superior to most other operations.

Our tooling modification process results in best in class part tolerances, particularly useful in molding mission critical parts where dimensional attributes need to be extremely precise.  We use this approach to produce net shape molded parts of exceptional quality, eliminating or significantly reducing secondary matching operations resulting in material and process cost savings.

Performance Plastics, located in Cincinnati, OH has over 30 years’ experience in molding tight tolerance advanced plastics such as Fluoropolymers (FEP/PFA Torlon, Ryton plastic, Peek & Ultem) for many industries.  We have developed proprietary processes enabling injection molding of parts that are thin walled, with tight dimensional tolerances, and complex geometries.

For more information and solutions, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513-321-8404 or email [email protected].

/by

PEEK Molded Plastic is Taking the Place of Metal

January 13, 2021  |  ,

 

Performance Plastics provides a solution to avoid metal when designing your new part. Perfecting injection molding processes since 1980, PPL has an extensive knowledge of how to create plastic parts equivalent to metal. A high-performance plastic, such as Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), is ideal for parts that demand the high strength of metal, while also being lightweight and resistant to corrosion.

PEEK is a mainstay material for a growing variety of applications in many different industries. Its popularity is due to excellent friction and wear characteristics, extended durability under punishing environmental conditions, including high temperatures, abrasion and aggressive chemical environments.

Unfilled PEEK resins emit extremely low levels of smoke and toxic gas when exposed to a flame. Glass and carbon reinforced PEEK resins offer high thermal stability and are among the strongest thermoplastics in the market.

PEEK has a long list of outstanding characteristics making it one of the most popular alternatives to metal:

  • High mechanical strength and dimensional stability
  • Excellent long-term creep and fatigue properties
  • Excellent resistance to harsh chemicals
  • Withstands a wide range of acids and bases; high resistance to hydrocarbons and organic solvents
  • High wear resistance
  • Low coefficient of friction; high abrasion and cut-through resistance
  • Low moisture absorption and permeability
  • Resistant to high-pressure steam, fresh water and salt water
  • Excellent performance at high temperatures
  • Suitable for continuous-use temperatures up to 500°F
  • High electrical integrity
  • Displays consistent properties over a range of frequencies and temperatures; depending on the grade of resin chosen, PEEK parts can be insulating, conducting or static dissipative
  • Low smoke and toxic gas emission
  • Inherently flame retardant without the use of additives; low toxicity of combustion gases

Performance Plastics uses various grades of PEEK resin as metal replacements in applications where few other fluoropolymers would be considered. PEEK is widely used in industries such as: aerospace (commercial and defense), automotive, marine, industrial and energy (fossil fuel and renewable).

To discover how PEEK polymer resins can make the transition from metal to thermoplastic easier contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected]

 

/by

Injection Molded Plastic Fluoropolymers to manufacture UV-C Sanitization Devices

December 17, 2020  |  ,

UV-C light can be used to kill germs such as bacteria, viruses such as Covid-19, and spores. UV-C light disrupts the DNA of pathogens, eliminating their ability to replicate This technology works by the line of sight so the light must reach the surface in order for the bacteria or virus to be deactivated.

Historically, medical device manufacturers did not consider plastics to mold parts because plastic resins posed the possibility of cross contamination.  Today, medical device engineers are reconsidering plastics, specifically fluoropolymers that can be formulated to resist UV-C light degradation and reflectivity to leverage sterilization benefits and part manufacturing flexibility.

Fluoropolymers or Teflon®, are a group of high-performance plastics with excellent temperature and chemical resistance that are increasingly being injection molded in a variety of medical products today.  Unique characteristics such as UV-C light reflectivity, biocompatibility, low friction, chemical inertness, non-porosity, and compatibility with UV-C sterilization technologies, make them suitable for uses in many types of medical devices.

Fluoropolymers, such as FEP and PFA are resistant to higher transmission rates of UV light than glass, polyethylene, or polycarbonate allowing the full spectrum of solar light to pass through offering the benefits of sterilization.  These fluoropolymers are flexible and do not discolor, making them an ideal material to produce medical components to be UVC sterilized.

Performance Plastics, located in Cincinnati, OH  has over 30 years’ experience in molding tight tolerance advanced plastics such as Fluoropolymers (FEP & PFA) for the medical industry.  We have developed proprietary processes enabling injection molding of parts that are thin-walled, tight dimensional tolerances, and complex geometries.

For more information and solutions, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513-321-8404 or email [email protected].

/by

Understanding All Aspects of Your Part

August 25, 2020  |  , , , , , ,

Performance Plastic’s  Metrology Lab focuses on advancing measurement science through our ability to understand all aspects of your part.  Mechanical Engineer, Jordan Murray, dives into our industrial computed tomography (CT) Scanning process, explaining the benefits of CT Scanning and how it helps us to solve your problems.

To learn more about Performance Plastic’s CT Scanning process contact Rich Reed, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

/by

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].

/by

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].

/by

Performance Plastics Adds 5 Additional Sizes To Endurosharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamer (TAR) Product Line

March 13, 2020  |  ,

EnduroSharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamer (TAR) tools are non-metallic, multi-fluted, straight-walled reamers. TAR tools are used to remove non-metallic debris such as cured sealants and adhesives from fastener and bushing holes in metallic or composite structures without damaging the structures. The first four TAR sizes were in high demand with a need to add additional outside diameter reamer sizes. The five new sizes allow you effectively remove sealants and adhesives from a broader range of fastener and bushing holes. The new TAR sizes broaden the outside diameter range from 0.190” all the way to 0.4005”, creating a more dynamic tool set for your aircraft maintenance toolbox.

To learn more about our new TAR sizes, contact Rich Reed, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or [email protected].

/by