PlasticSolutions^™ Newsletter - Web Version

From the Industry Experts

Plastics You Can Eat

Selecting machineable plastics for food processing and packaging machinery components

The food industry can be an especially tough environment for plastic components given the combined effect of temperature and sanitizing agents with hot water and even mildly acidic solutions. One's choice of materials for a given application can span costs from $.10 per cubic inch to more than $3 per cubic inch. Original equipment manufacturers often try to standardize components, making components suitable for most prospective customers but not all. Frequently, processors find themselves modifying equipment by upgrading the materials chosen by the OEM.

Most processors are trying to eliminate grease and external lubrication while still ensuring that their components survive the gamut of cleaning and sanitizing procedures mandated by regulators. As capacity becomes tighter, up-time is the operative word of the day. Parts have to last longer while lines are asked to run faster. Dimensional stability of machined components has never been more critical, nor has the need for heat resistance due to the combination of both frictional and ambient heat.

There are more than 20 FDA compliant, machineable plastics to choose from if you plan to optimize your process equipment or design new machinery for custom use. Among this group of materials are the common general purpose products such as ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene UHMW, acetal, nylon and Teflon PTFE. However, in recent years a number of new materials, dramatically improved over the already good general materials mentioned above, have been introduced.

If you are an equipment designer faced with any of these common issues, consider the following materials.

Looking for the longest lasting, most dimensionally stable material for a component that consistently wears out prematurely? Consider Ertalyte TX. It is a PTFE-filled polyester, making it a highly machineable, quiet-running bearing material used for bushings, pistons, linear bearings and guides. Its coefficient of friction is among the lowest, as is its water absorption. Its weakness is its resistance to continuous hot water/steam exposure and lower-than-average impact resistance.

What material can provide the heat resistance of PTFE but greater strength for applications above 300ºF? Fluorosint® 207 and enhanced wear PTFE extends the form stability and wear resistance of virgin Teflon PTFE while still maintaining the feel and performance of PTFE.

To improve the performance of your UHMW components without sacrificing the low coefficient of friction and abrasion resistance and varied product forms in which it is available, you have choices:

If you need improved heat resistance, TIVAR H.O.T. provides added resistance to oxidation for temperatures up to 275 ºF. H.O.T. expands the useful range of UHMW nearly 100 ºF above virgin UHMW. It is useful for profiles and wear strips that are in the vicinity of ovens and other heat sources. It is not as strong as nylon, acetal and polyester at any temperature but is suitable for lightly loaded parts.

If you need an anti-static material, TIVAR CleanStat is an FDA compliant formulation containing an additive that reduces the tendency for plastic components to build-up static charge as particulates and other items slide across them. CleanStat is excellent for equipment used to fill fine powders or hard-to-flow ingredients such as flour.

- Mike Oliveto,
Quadrant Engineering Plastics Products
an ISO 9001 Certified Company

Testimonial

   "After a three day quality-inspection audit, our firm has concluded that Modern Plastics not only meets but exceeds the requirements for our company. Modern Plastics materials are machined into components in which people's lives depend upon the highest quality plastic product and the rigid inspection standards we are assured from Modern Plastics. We have complete and faith in this company and that is the very reason they are now our sole supplier."

  - Senior Buyer,
        Fortune 500 Company
        Tampa, Florida

View Testimonials Here

In this Issue...

• Plastics You Can Eat
• Ertalyte TX
• TIVAR® H.O.T.
• Fluorosint® 207
• TIVAR® CleanStat

Ertalyte TX

Modern Plastics offers Ertalyte TX, an unreinforced, semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester (PET-P) with an integral solid lubricant for improved wear and slip-stick resistance. Ertalyte's specific formulation yields a premium, internally lubricated bearing-grade.

Download the Ertalyte TX fact sheet.

Along with outstanding wear resistance, Ertalyte TX offers an extremely low coefficient of friction and high pressure-velocity capabilities. It is available from stock in many rod and sheet sizes, including custom sizes and tubular shapes.

Have a salesman contact me immediately.

TIVAR® H.O.T.

TIVAR® H.O.T., distributed by Modern Plastics, is a proprietary polymeric formulation designed to excel in a variety of industrial manufacturing environments in which temperatures range up to 275°F, nearly 100°F higher than standard UHMW-PE formulations.

TIVAR® H.O.T. has been FDA and USDA compliant since its introduction into the marketplace in 2001.

Download the TIVAR® H.O.T. fact sheet.

Notable properties:

• Inhibits oxidation, extends material wear-life
• Extended operating temperature range
• Abrasion, corrosion, chemical and moisture-resistant
• Excellent release characteristics
• Meets FDA guidelines, USDA and 3-A Dairy compliant

Have a salesman contact me immediately.

Fluorosint® 207

Fluorosint® 207 from Modern Plastics is a proprietary mixture in which synthetically manufactured mica is chemically linked to PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE). This bonding results in properties not normally attainable in reinforced PTFE. Fluorosint® grades offer an excellent combination of low frictional properties and dimensional stability.

Fluorosint® offers excellent chemical resistance and continuous use temperature of 500°F (260 °C). Compared with PTFE, it has higher load carrying capability, 1/9 of the deformation under load, and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion.

Download the Fluorosint® 207 fact sheet.

Notable properties:

• Chemical resistance parallels PTFE
• Continuous use temperatures to 500°F (260°C)
• Compared to PTFE:
  • higher load carrying capability
  • 1/9 of the deformation under load
  • lower coefficient of thermal expansion

Have a salesman contact me immediately.

TIVAR® CleanStat™

Modern Plastics carries TIVAR® CleanStat™, which eliminates static build-up problems and meets FDA and USDA guidelines for food contact. Its sliding surface is longer-wearing and has a lower coefficient of friction than stainless steel.

TIVAR® CleanStat™ can be easily fabricated into components and replacement parts that reduce noise levels in plants and require less frequent cleaning. Its welded design capabilities result in seamless welded components.

Download the TIVAR® CleanStat™ fact sheet.

Notable properties:

• Anti-static
• Meets FDA and USDA guidelines
• 3A-Dairy certification
• Reduces noise
• Self-lubricating
• Corrosion-resistant
• Meets ASTM D-4020-81 of 4.0- to 5.4-million molecular weight
• No moisture absorption

Have a salesman contact me immediately.