Polyethersulfone Applications 1

[MadMango]

I need to spec a UL-94 V-0 material for an injection molded trim ring, approximately 5.5" OD U-shaped. The material needs to be translucent (70-80%), but have an option to be metalized or have color added to it. It also needs to be flexible so it can be snapped into position without secondary fasteners. I'm not a materials guy, but my Google searching has led me to polyethersulfone (Veradel A-301). Is there a more common material that I have missed?

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[btrueblood]

Mad,

Pretty sure polycarbonate can be UL94 V-0, but not sure in translucent grades...

 

[btrueblood]

Actually, it can be clear too, according to:

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/830247

 

[MadMango]

My experiences tell me that polycarbonate is not very flexible. The design calls for about a 15% deformation of the "U" profile.

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[patprimmer]

PC is at least as flexible as PEEK

From what is posted to date, PC will do the job if designed properly.

PC is certainly transparent evin in some FRgrades that meet V0

PC can certainly be designed to snap fit for assembly.

It has some shortcomings, but info to date does not indicate if these will be a problem.

Regards
Pat
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[MadMango]

Ok, thanks for the info. I will investigate more when I'm back in the office on Monday.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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[Pud]

PVC?

http://www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

 

[HDS]

Do you want the metal on the inside or outside? Your choice of metalization will drive the material selection.

Can clear ABS (SAN?) be plated like regular ABS? If not it can at least be interchanged because the shrinkage is in the same range.

I also suggest PC as an obvious choice.

 

[MadMango]

Thanks all. We are going to run some soft-tooled parts in PC and see how it performs.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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[Demon3]

Don't forget that PC has terrible chemical resistance and environmental stress cracks when exposed to solvent leading to immediate failure. If that's not a problem then go for PC by all means.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[patprimmer]

PC is mainly susceptible to aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Aromatics in aliphatics as a small percentage as impurities from the distillation process will still destroy PC. It has a somewhat limited life in hot water but is used for unbreakable glassware in the hotel industry where it can outlast glass due to glass breakage frequency.

Regards
Pat
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