Atlas Fibre has over six decades of experience machining thermosets and providing stock shapes for thermoset materials. We’re dedicated to helping our customers select the most suitable material to improve their products’ wear, corrosion resistance, and overall performance.
In addition to a wide selection of thermoset materials, we also machine advanced engineering thermoplastics. Our options include PEEK® thermoplastic, PTFE thermoplastic, nylon, and PPS.
Learn more about the benefits of thermoplastics and when they may be appropriate for your project needs.
Thermoplastics — like PTFE plastics and PEEK plastics — are polymers that can be heated, melted, and recast repeatedly, nearly indefinitely. Thermoplastics become a hot liquid when heated, then harden once they cool. If they are frozen, they can become fragile and shatter easily, like glass. You can easily reuse or recycle thermoplastics because they can withstand multiple heating and cooling sessions without undergoing chemical property changes.
Thermoplastic materials are different from thermosets. Once a thermoset material cools and hardens, it remains in that state. You cannot reheat and remelt a thermoset.
Atlas Fibre machines a wide range of engineering thermoplastics, including:
PEEK, or polyetheretherketone, is a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic. It is resistant to chemicals, fatigue, wear, and creep. It is also temperature-resistant up to 260 degrees Celsius (480 degrees Fahrenheit).
Part of the polyketone family, PEEK is one of the most widely manufactured and used thermoplastics.
Vespel polyimide is a creep-resistant, high-temperature material that works well in high-heat environments where other thermoplastic materials will lose their mechanical properties. It can work in a wide range of temperatures, from frigid cryogenics to extremely high heat.
Torlon is ideal for use in extreme temperatures, as it has unparalleled strength at temperatures up to 282 degrees Celsius (539 degrees Fahrenheit). It can be used in applications that require ongoing exposure to temperatures up to 500 degrees.
PPS, or polyphenylene sulfide, is a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic with a high melting point of 280 degrees Celsius. The material is opaque and rigid and has excellent dimensional stability, flame resistance, and chemical resistance.
Also known as polyetherimide, Ultem is a high-strength, semi-transparent thermoplastic. It resists steam and hot water and has excellent electrical insulation properties.
PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a hydrophobic, non-wetting, temperature-resistant, and high-density thermoplastic material. It has many advantages but may be best known for being non-stick.
PTFE is low friction, which gives the composite its non-stick properties. It also has excellent dielectric and electrical insulation properties, resists weathering, and offers high thermal stability.
Nylon is a thermoplastic with excellent wear properties. It resists impact and abrasion and has a high compressive strength. It also has excellent electrical insulating properties.
Acetal, also called polyoxymethylene, is a low-friction, high-strength engineering thermoplastic. It has excellent wear properties in dry and wet environments. It resists solvents, hydrocarbons, and neutral chemicals.
Are advanced engineering thermoplastics right for your project? We can help you decide. Contact us for a quote today.
