Q&A Help Centre

What are the trade names?

What are the operating temperatures of plastics?

Material Short Periods Continuous
PEEK 300 °C 260 °C
30% GF PEEK 300 °C 260 °C
30% CF PEEK 300 °C 260 °C
PTFE 260 °C 260 °C
25% GF PTFE 260 °C 260 °C
25% CF PTFE 260 °C 260 °C
Ultem 200 °C 170 °C
30% GF Ultem 200 °C 170 °C
30% GF Nylon 6 170 °C 100 °C
30% GF Nylon 66 180 °C 110 °C
PSU 170 °C 160 °C
Nylon 12 150 °C 110 °C
Cast Nylon 6 160 °C 100 °C
Nylon 66 165 °C 95 °C
Nylon 66.6 160 °C 92 °C
Nylon 6 150 °C 88 °C
Material Short Periods Continuous
PET-P 170 °C 115 °C
PET-P TX 160 °C 115 °C
PVDF 150 °C 140 °C
Acetal-H 150 °C 110 °C
Polycarbonate 145 °C 115 °C
Acetal-C 140 °C 100 °C
Polypropylene 110 °C 95 °C
PE300 90 °C 80 °C
PE500 90 °C 80 °C
PE1000 120 °C 80 °C
Noryl 110 °C 85 °C
30% GF Noryl 110 °C 85 °C
ABS 100 °C 90 °C
Acrylic 90 °C 70 °C
PVC 80 °C 70 °C

What plastics have a lower moisture absorption rate?

Water Absorption Immersion, 24 hours per ASTM D-570 (%)

Polypropylene Slight.
PE1000 Slight.
PTFE <0.01
PPS 0.02
PE300 0.10
Polyester 0.10
Polycarbonate 0.15
Glass Filled Polycarbonate 0.16
Glass Filled Ultem 0.16
Acrylic 0.20
PETG 0.20
Acetal-C 0.20
Ultem 0.25
Acetal-H 0.25
ABC 0.30
PSU 0.30
Peek 0.50
Nylon 12 0.60
Nylon 6 0.60 – 1.20
Nylon 66 1.20

What is the difference between Delrin & Acetal?

Standard Acetal is Acetal-C (Copolymer). Delrin is the brand name for Acetal-H (homopolymer).

Acetal-C is more resistant to hydrolysis, strong alkalis and hot water. It has good wear properties and a low coefficient of friction.

Acetal-H has a slightly higher mechanical strength.

Both are simple machine and offer excellent dimensional stability.

Acetal-C operating temperature range – 40 / + 100

Acetal-H operating temperature range – 40 / + 90

What is the difference between cast & extruded plastic?

Extrusion is the process where plastic resin, is forced through a shaped metal piece or die to produce a continuous rod, tube or sheet of the formed product. Extrusion enables materials to have very small diameters or thickness. Casting is the manufacturing process where a mould is filled with liquid synthetic resin, which then hardens. Casting generally produces larger scale products to a higher standard.

What type of nylon do I need?

Nylon 6 is slightly softer compared to Nylon66 and has better impact resistance. (Cast Nylon is tougher than ‘6’ and machines better). Nylon 66 is the hardest and the easiest to machine on automatic lathes. Natural Nylon 6 is off-white whereas Nylon 66 is a nicotine colour. Cast natural Nylon is more of a cream colour. If you need black Nylon 66 we offer ‘66.6’ up to 100 in diameter. This is a great option as it has a bit of Nylon6 with the addition of Graphite (improved impact and wear characteristics) Black Cast Nylon for above Dia.100mm is recommended.

What regulations are there?

Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS).

This is a conformance mark that demonstrates that a product complies with the high standards set out by water regulations promulgated in 1999 in the UK. The purpose of WRAS is to contribute to the protection of public health by preventing contamination of public water supplies and encouraging the efficient use of water by promoting and facilitating compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACh).

REACh is the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007. It streamlines and improves the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union (EU). The main aims of REACh are to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals.

Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS).

The RoHS directive aims to restrict certain dangerous substances commonly used in electronic and electronic equipment. Any RoHS compliant component must have 100 ppm or less of mercury and the mercury must not have been intentionally added to the component.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers need to either prevent or reduce their workers’ exposure to substances that are hazardous to their health.

What are modified plastics?

Glass Filled.

The standard variants are between 20% – 35%. Glass added to the resin offers improved strength, rigidity, creep resistance and dimensional stability.

Carbon Filled.

The addition of carbon enhances the compressive strength and stiffness of the plastic. It dramatically lowers its expansion rate. It offers designers optimum wear resistance and load carrying capability.

Who do I speak to about the production of a prototype?

Khamsin Wager is our production manager and Toby Stow is our technical manager. They can be contacted on the below details. If you would prefer speaking face to face, please call 01452 857733 to book a consultation and visit the office.

Khamsin Wager components@plastim.co.uk

Toby Stow machining@plastim.co.uk

Are Plastim on social media?

Contact us, give feedback and keep up to date with what we’re doing through our social media:

https://www.facebook.com/plastim
https://twitter.com/PlastimLtd

How can I contact Plastim?

There are now more ways than ever to speak to us and discuss your requirements:

  • Call our office on 01452 857733
  • Visit our office:Unit 100
    Ashville Business Park
    Commerce Road
    Staverton
    Gloucestershire
    GL2 9QJ
  • Write an email through the contact us page on the site.
  • Write a message through our social media accounts.
  • Email the appropriate member of staff – details available through the meet the team page.

Hours of business?

Our offices are open from:

Monday – Thursday 8.30 am – 5.00 pm

Friday 8.00 am – 4.00 pm