Materials

Tri-Mack’s innovative engineering of precision plastic components is based on over 30 years of manufacturing experience using engineering thermoplastics. From self-lubricated plastic bushings to structural aerospace plastic parts, Tri-Mack uses many different standard and custom compounds depending on the application.  Some of these compounds include carbon fiber filled, glass fiber filled, and PTFE filled thermoplastics. Tri-Mack uses materials from all of the major plastics suppliers insuring that the best material is used for each application.

 

These are some of the materials we process, by material family and trade name.  They are ranked in general order of performance. 

 

 

PI – Polyimides:  Offers the highest continuous use temperature range. Excellent wear resistance. 

Applications: metal conversion, valve seats, bearings, and bushings

Trade Names: Vespel® & Aurum®

 

PBI – Polybenzimidazole:  Offers the highest heat resistance, wear resistance, and load carrying capabilities at extreme temperatures. Excellent thermal insulator.

Applications: seals, insulator bushings, retaining rings, and other thermal insulators  Trade Name: Celazole® 

 

PEEK – Polyetheretherketone: Offers best resistance to steam, good resistance to radiation, and outstanding resistance to chemicals. Low flammability and smoke generation with high temperature resistance.

Applications: valve plates, pump wear rings, rotors, and housings.

Trade Name: Victrex®, KetaSpire®, and VESTAKEEP®

 

PAI – Polyamide-imide:  Offers high temperature strength, thermal stability.

Applications: bearings, washers, impellers, and electrical insulators.

Trade Name:  Torlon®

 

LCP – Liquid Crystal Polymer:  Offers the highest unidirectional physical properties, inherently nonflammable, low smoke generation, and high chemical resistance.

Applications: chemical pumps, sockets, electrical connectors, and surgical devices.

Trade Names: Vectra®, Xydar®, and Zenite® 

 

PEI – Polyetherimide:  Offers high dielectric strength, inherent flame resistance and low smoke evolution, low moisture absorption, and semi transparent amber color.

Applications: insulators, spacers, enclosures, and connectors.

Trade Name: Ultem®, Extem®

 

PSU – Polysulfone and Polyphenylsulfone:  Offers inherent flame resistance and low smoke generation, low toxic gas emissions, and transparent/translucent surfaces.

Applications: aircraft interior components and connectors.

Trade Name: Udel®, Radel®

 

PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene: Offers excellent bearing properties.  Inertness to most chemical, resistance to high temperatures, low coefficient of friction, excellent dielectric properties, and zero moisture absorption.

Applications: non lubricated bearings, high temperature electrical parts, and seals.

Trade Names: Teflon® and Fluorocomp® 

 

PPS – Polyphenylene Sulfide:  Offers outstanding retention of mechanical properties under continuous use, excellent chemical and corrosion resistance.

Applications: pump housings, flow meter rotors, electronic test sockets, and engine sensors

Trade Name: Fortron®, Ryton®, and Primef®

 

PPA – Polyphthalamide: Offers good heat and chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and outstanding physical, thermal, and electrical properties at a low cost.

Applications: sensors, fuel system components, and electronic components

Trade Name: Amodel®

 

POM – Acetal Polyoxymethylene: Good wear resistance, dimensional stability and toughness.  Easy to machine.

Applications: gears, bearings, wear components.

Trade Name: Delrin®

 

PA – Polyamide (Nylons): Offers high wear and abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction, good electrical insulating properties, and non-abrasive to other materials.

Applications: bearings, valve seats, and thrust washers

Trade Names: Zytel®, Nylatron® and Hylon®

 

Please use the following links to learn more about the benefits of high performance engineering plastics and the story behind some of Tri-Mack’s projects.