Search results for: "hardie"

Do Izod and Charpy Make the Appropriate Impact?

Cracking of plastics components under impact was a major blow to the plastics industry in the early days. Today it is still a challenge for designers to select thermoplastics that will stand up to impact […]

Continue reading

Low-Cost Identification of Plastics

Low-cost identification of plastics is certainly desirable, but identifying an unknown plastic material can be an expensive exercise if you submit it for full chemical analysis.

Continue reading

Thermoplastics and UV: Friend or Foe?

Radiation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum is a bit of a mixed blessing for polymers.

Continue reading

How to ‘Crystallise’ your Thoughts on Selecting a Thermoplastic

When faced with selecting a thermoplastic for a new component, I find it helpful to view potential materials in two groups …. amorphous (non-crystalline) and crystalline (strictly speaking semi-crystalline because it is unusual to get […]

Continue reading

Is Solvent Resistance Predictable with Polymers?

To assess solvent resistance, first consider solvents spread out on a polarity scale. Non-polar solvents are at one end, such as paraffin, petrol and diesel. At the other ‘highly polar’ end we find alcohols and […]

Continue reading

Sulphur: From the Underworld to Thermoplastics

In 1839, by inserting sulphur atoms as bridges between polymer chains, Charles Goodyear transformed Natural Rubber from an interesting curiosity into a superb engineering material that has had a huge impact on society.

Continue reading

Can You Modify a Polymer Grade Safely?

One of the exciting attributes of polymers is that the properties of any polymer can be modified by tinkering with the basic molecular structure or incorporating a range of additives.  However, you have to be […]

Continue reading

What do we Mean by the Heat Resistance of Thermoplastics?

In some applications heat resistance can mean the material’s ability to carry out its intended function at elevated temperatures for short periods.

Continue reading

Is PTFE a Thermoset or a Thermoplastic?

Many assume that polytetrafluoroethylene is a thermoset because it seems unaffected by heat.

Continue reading

Material Selection Process for See-Through Kettles Not Transparent

We like our see-through kettles and take them for granted but they have a punishing life cycle.  Over 10 years the kettle could undergo a total of 10,000 cycles. It is filled with cold water, […]

Continue reading

Subscribe to our newsletter