Plastics
Steel Express can supply a range of engineering plastics in various forms.
Below is a list of some of the more common plastics that we supply
| Acetal copolymer | A semi-crystalline thermoplastic offering high strength, stiffness and toughness. Acetal copolymer is resistant to hot water, hydrocarbons and solvents, and it possesses good bearing and wear properties. It is available in natural, black and coloured grades. |
| Acetal homopolymer | Acetal homopolymer such as Delrin has a uniform backbone with a larger crystalline block structure than acetal copolymers providing better chemical bonding. |
| Extruded Nylon | Nylon is one of the most commonly used engineering thermoplastics. It offers a balance between mechanical performance and cost. There are many grades of nylon available, the most common being nylon 6 and nylon 6/6 (sometimes written as nylon 66, nylon 6,6 or nylon 6.6, also PA 66) Nylon is a polyamide, hence the 'PA' designation. Other grades include nylon 11 and nylon 12. |
| Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics, and for good reason, it is transparent, tough, has good dimensional stability and thermal stability and has unmatched impact resistance. |
| Polypropylene | Polypropylene (PP) is used in everything from packaging and reusable containers to textiles and automotive components, to banknotes. Polypropylene is rugged and resistant to many organic solvents, degreasing agents, bases and acids. Polypropylene is available in two grades Polypropylene Homopolymer (PP-H) and Polypropylene Copolymer (PP-C). |
| Polyethylene | Polyethylene (PE), often called polythene, is one of the world’s most popular plastics. Polyethylene can be found in a huge range of products ranging from clear food wrap and shopping bags to detergent bottles and car fuel tanks. |
| PTFE | PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer characterised by a high resistance to solvents, acids and bases and UV. PTFE, often referred to by the trade name Teflon® (DuPont), is well known as a coating for non-stick cookware, PTFE is one of the most thermally stable plastic materials retaining most of its properties up to temperatures of 260°C. |
| PVC | PVC plastic (Polyvinyl Chloride) is available in various stock shapes for machining. PVC is one of the most commonly used plastic polymers globally. PVC is made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticisers, if no plasticisers are added it is known as uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride). |
| Acrylic | Acrylic - polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - is an amorphous thermoplastic which is optically transparent, acrylic is unaffected by moisture, and offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Acrylic is sold under various brand names including: Perspex, Plexiglas, Lucite and Crystallite. Acrylic also offers excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation and weathering. It can be coloured, moulded, cut, drilled, and formed. |
| Tufnol Whale | TUFNOL Whale Brand is a cotton fabric laminate, also known as Synthetic Resin Bonded Fabric, or SRBF. Tufnol Whale is a good, general-purpose medium weave grade for mechanical applications. Whale brand offers good general strength, toughness and wear resistance. |
| Tufnol Carp | TUFNOL Carp brand is a top quality cotton fabric based laminate for use in mechanical and electromechanical applications. TUFNOL Carp uses a fine weave cotton fabric treated to enhance the machinability and other properties. |
Other types of polymers are available on request, please call if you have specific needs or would like advice on material choices.
MSDS and product data sheets available on request
Call 01902 716333 for nationwide delivery
Plastics
- Acetal copolymer
- Acetal homopolymer
- Extruded Nylon
- Polycarbonate
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- PTFE
- PVC
- Acrylic
- Tufnol Whale
- Tufnol Carp
