popular materials & applications – issue 3 · 2020. 3. 30. · popular materials &...
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Popular Materials & Applications – Issue 3
September 2015
Welcome to ‘Formech Technical Notes’, a quarterly publication in which we delve in tothe secrets of the ‘Dark Art’ of vacuum forming. In this issue we focus on typicalapplications, materials and recommended UK suppliers. Please contact us if youwould like assistance sourcing any of the below materials outside the UK.
HIPS (high impact polystyrene)
Typical uses: display, packaging &light weight internal applicationsStrength: Moderate Specific gravity: 1.06UK Distributor: www.stephen-webster.co.uk Brand names: not well known bybrand names from stockistsFormability: Easy Colours: Black, white & stocked in upto ten different colours in UK Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
ABS (Acrylonitrile ButadieneStyrene)
Typical uses: enclosures, outdoorapplications, marine podsStrength: impact resistant Specific gravity: 1.08UK Distributor: www.stephen-webster.co.uk Brand names: not well known bybrand names from stockistsFormability: Easy but needs dryingColours: Black, white, grey fromstockists in UK Hygroscopic (needs drying): Yes –
Vac forming temp range: 150 – 175C(302 – 347F)
Conclusion: an entry level plastic,easy to form & not expensive
90 minutes per mm Vac forming temp range: 150 – 180C(302 – 356F)
Conclusion: stronger than HIPS, +/-35% more expensive
PETG (Polyethyleneterephthalate glycol-modified)
Typical uses: Clear covers & reverseprinted signageStrength: impact resistant Specific gravity: 1.27UK Distributor: www.stephen-webster.co.ukBrand names: Vivak, SpectarFormability: EasyColours: Generally clearHygroscopic (needs drying): NoVac forming temp range: 120 – 160C(248 – 320F)
Conclusion: Easy to form andstronger than HIPS, +/- 50% moreexpensive
PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate)
Typical uses: Blister Packaging, trayinserts (RPET or APET)Strength: impact resistant Specific gravity: 1.38UK Distributor:www.saffronplastics.co.ukBrand names: not well known bybrand names from stockistsFormability: Narrow heating band –will crystallise if over heatedColours: Generally clearHygroscopic (needs drying): NoVac forming temp range: 120 – 160C(248 – 320F)
Conclusion: Good clarity, but willblunt cutters quickly – similar priceto thin PVC
PVC (polyvinylchloride)
Typical uses: Outdoor enclosures,marine pods, blister packaging & trayinsertsStrength: impact resistantSpecific gravity: 1.37UK Distributor:www.saffronplastics.co.uk (for thinreels less than 0.75mm or less)Brand names: Simona, Palram (forthick sheet over 0.75mm)Formability: Fairly easy although ifburnt gives off hydrochloric acidColours: various in thicker sheetsHygroscopic (needs drying): NoVac forming temp range: 140 – 190C( 284 – 374F)
Conclusion: Not as popular in everymarket – similar price to thin APET
HDPE (High densitypolyethylene)
Typical uses: Outdoor playequipment, pond linersStrength: very impact resistant Specific gravity: 0.96UK distributor:www.saffronplastics.co.ukBrand names: not well known bybrand names from stockistsFormability: webs easily due tostretching and will seek out any gapsin tooling & lose vacuumColours: Limited from stock –generally blackHygroscopic (needs drying): NoVac forming temp range: 150 – 180C(302 – 356F)
Conclusion: Very good impactresistance, tricky to get goodresults – similar price to PP
PP (polypropylene)
Typical uses: Outdoor furniture andpackaging applicationsStrength: Rugged and chemicalresistantSpecific gravity: 0.91UK Distributors: www.stephen-webster.co.ukBrand names: not well known bybrand names from stockistsFormability: webs easily due tostretching and will seek out any gapsin tooling & lose vacuumColours: Limited from stock –generally black, white and naturalHygroscopic (needs drying): NoVac forming temp range: 150 – 180C(302 – 356F)
Conclusion: Very good impactresistance, tricky to get goodresults – similar price to HDPE
PC (Polycarbonate)
Typical uses: R/C car bodies, riotshields, machine guards and skylightsStrength: Rigid and high impactresistance Specific gravity: 1.2 UK Distributor:www.amariplastics.co.uk Brand names: Lexan, Makrolon andPalsun Formability: Challenging to get opticalclarity Colours: usually clear or tinted fromstockists Hygroscopic (needs drying): YesVac forming temp range: 170 - 205C(338 - 401F)
Conclusion: Very good impactresistance, tricky to get good clearresults – +/- 35% more than PETG
Extruded PMMA Poly(methylmethacrylate)
Typical uses: Display & signageStrength: Can be brittle, but weatherresistant Specific gravity: 1.19UK Distributors:www.amariplastics.co.uk
Cast PMMA Poly(methylmethacrylate)
Typical uses: Display, signage andwindow applicationsStrength: Can be brittle, but weatherresistant Specific gravity: 1.19UK Distributors:www.amariplastics.co.ukBrand names: Acrycast, Perspex,Plexiglas & LuciteFormability: Poor. Will only form intogentle cavities unless assisted by plug
Brand names: Acryglas XT, Quinn XTFormability: GoodColours: Clear and a range of coloursHygroscopic (needs drying): YesVac forming temp range: 150 - 175C(302 - 347F)
Conclusion: Brittle – low impactresistance, good weather resistancefor outdoors
assistColours: Clear and a large range ofcoloursHygroscopic (needs drying): YesVac forming temp range: 150 - 175C(302 - 347F)
Conclusion: Brittle – low impactresistance, good weather resistancefor outdoors, very good opticalclarity
Discover our
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Tooling and Webbing
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Look out for the next quarterly Technical Notes inDecember where we will be offering handy hints onTrimming vacuum formings.
Martin Smith, Product Manager
E&0E
Formech International Limited
(Headquarters)
Unit 4, Thrales End Business Park
Thrales End Lane, Harpenden
Hertfordshire AL5 3NS
United Kingdom
Formech Inc
2324 Pinehurst Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
USA
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