Materials

We work with and supply a wide range of rubber and plastic materials as well as metals, most of which are detailed below.

Rubber

Thermoset rubbers include:

• Natural Rubber
• Neoprene
• EPDM
• Silicone
• Nitrile
• Viton
• SBR (Styrene Butyl Rubber)

Thermoset rubbers can be moulded as required. We also convert pre-formed rubber where required including insertion rubber.

Plastic

Both phenolic and engineering plastics are worked with. The major engineering plastics are detailed below:

• Polycarbonate
• Acrylic
• Nylon 66, 6
• Acetal
• Polypropylene
• Tufnol
• Polyethylene
• Glass Yarn & Webbing

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is used for applications where a near unbreakable plastic is required such as conservatory roofs, machine guards, factory roofs and products that require a shatter proof material. Polycarbonate also offers high light transmission, low moisture absorption, good electrical insulating properties, good dimensional stability and can be thermoformed.

Acrylic

Acrylic, including Perspex, is less resilient than polycarbonate, but cheaper. Acrylic is not shatter proof but can be used in cheap glazing applications such as sheds, portacabins and greenhouses.

Nylon

Nylon 66 and 6 is a good all round plastic available in sheet, rod and billet, and is suited to machining offering a high mechanical strength, stiffness, hardness, and toughness. Other properties include fatigue resistance, high mechanical damping, good sliding properties and excellent wear resistance. 66 is also suitable for food contact. Applications include sleeves, wear pads, rollers, scrapers, gear wheels, sprockets, seal-rings, feed screws, cutting boards and cams.

Acetal

Acetal is a superior grade of plastic than Nylon at a slightly higher price. It is easier to machine, harder than Nylon and has a brilliant white finish even after being worked. Acetal has high mechanical strength, hardness, stiffness and rigidity, as well as good impact strength, wear resistance, a low coefficient of friction, dimensional stability and chemical resistance. Typical applications include load bearings, gear wheels, electrical components, pump housings, impellers, bearings, and valves.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene has good machining properties and is ideal for general engineering applications. Polypropylene has a low density, negligible water absorption and excellent resistance to chemicals. Fabrication of Polypropylene requires hot air welding because of its resistance to solvents and bonding agents.

Tufnol

Tufnol, which is available in sheet or rod offers excellent insulating properties. Tufnol has many applications including terminal boards, mounting panels, tag strips, coil formers, insulating sleeves and bushes, busbar supports, tool and instrument handles, coil supports, insulated enclosures, brush holders, insulating spacers and special purpose plugs and sockets.

Polyethylene

Available in rod or sheet, polyethylene is good for machining and used in applications that require a tough material capable of withstanding impact and also offers a degree of noise reduction. Polyethylene is often used inside lorries to dull the noise of loading.

Glass Yarn & Webbing

Glass yarn is used for gland packing in pumps and valves as well as high temperature applications. Glass yarn has replaced asbestos in most environments.

Metal

Our machining division undertakes work in a variety of materials including mild steel, aluminium and stainless steel.