RPM Industries LLC

PLASTIC MATERIALS

PVC
PVC is the most widely used member of the vinyl family. Its major use is for corrosion-resistant applications. PVC can be cemented when bonding is required, although heat welding is a more acceptable process when bonding PVC.

plc-mtrl

Applications

  • Extruded window and door frames
  • Custom extruded channels
  • Pool copings
  • Display components
  • Extruded track systems
  • Extruded electrical raceways
  • Care PVC label holders
  • Self-supporting tanks
  • Fabricated parts
  • Exhaust hoods
  • Tank linings
CPVC
CPVC is a rigid thermoplastic exhibiting similar advantages to PVC yet retaining these properties at higher temperatures. Major industries where this material is used are chemical processing, metal anodizing, plating and surface finishing.

Applications

  • Self-supporting tanks
  • Tank linings
  • Extruded HVAC high heat applications
  • Valve and pump components
  • Fume exhaust hoods
  • Spacers and flanges

Rigid ABS
Rigid ABS is a plastic with a higher impact rating (4.5 Izod) and heat deflection temperature (198°F) than styrene. Like styrene, rigid ABS is extremely easy to form.

Applications

  • Extruded high impact thresholds
  • Extruded high impact door and window frames
  • Extruded high impact door skins
  • Handling Trays
  • Tool Cases
  • Machine Housings
  • Luggage

Utility ABS
Utility ABS is an economical ABS. The surface quality and heat deflection temperature (190°F) is slightly lower than rigid ABS

Low-Density Polyethylene-LDPE

LDPE is characterized by toughness in chemical resistance. It is also excellent in electrical and low heat applications. The main difference compared to HDPE is its flexibility.

Applications

  • Extruded channels
  • Chemical resistant tanks and containers
  • Food storage containers
  • Laboratory equipment
  • Thermoformed products-disposable
  • Corrosion resistant work surfaces

High-Density Polyethylene-HDPE
HDPE is more rigid and harder than low-density materials and is three times better in compressive strength. HDPE complies with FDA requirements for direct food contact applications. It is also accepted by USDA, NSF and Canadian Department of Agriculture.

Applications

  • Food cutting boards
  • Corrosion resistant wall coverings
  • Pipe flanges
  • Lavatory partitions
  • Radiation shielding
  • Prosthetic devices

Polypropylene-Copolymer
The introduction of a second monomer results in a product that exhibits better cold impact strength than the standard homopolymer grade. Although the material is more pliable, the chemical and thermal resistances are slightly reduced.

Applications

  • Prosthetic devices
  • Vacuum formed parts
  • Str•Plating tanks
  • Ducts and hoods
  • Structural tanks and covers

High Impact Polystyrene HIPS
Styrene provides a cost lower than ABS. With an impact rating of 2.0 Izod, it is an excellent choice for economical extruded and molded parts. Available in high gloss.

Applications

  • Extruded trim pieces
  • Handling Trays
  • Internal Guides
  • Packaging
  • Drip Trays

PVDF (Kynar®)
Kynar® PVDF has outstanding chemical inertness, maintains its properties after many years of use, resists repeated UV and Gamma sterilizations, and is FDA/USDA/NSF/3A dairy approved. It has excellent shock resistance, does not swell in a wet environment and uses standard welding techniques

Applications

  • Water purification and de-ionization equipment parts
  • Food processing pistons, valve bodies and gears.
  • Chemical processing industry tank and pump parts
  • Corrosive chemical tank liners

Acrylic, Polycarbonates and PETG
Acrylics – Acrylics have the best scratch resistance of all three plastics listed. It has the lowest impact resistance of the three.
Polycarbonates – Polycarbonate has the highest impact resistance of the three and the lowest scratch resistance.
PETG- Falls in the middle of acrylic and polycarbonate in terms of scratch resistance and impact strength.

Applications

  • Displays
  • Point-of-Purchase
  • Machine guards
  • Signs
  • Picture Frames

Acrylic extruded shapes have been part of a wide range of applications in industry, product design, home furnishings, and displays. Clear, lightweight acrylic shapes enhance the beauty of any exhibit. Acrylic is easily fabricated without costly tooling charges, can be heat formed for a variety of desired effects, and is easily printed or embossed upon.

Extruded Acrylic offers good clarity at an economical price over Cast Acrylic.

Impact Acrylic
Impact acrylic offers good impact resistance along with excellent weatherability, clarity, and processing characteristics. Developed primarily for the sign industry, this impact sheet combines the well-known weatherability of acrylic with proprietary impact-resistant chemistry. These properties, along with outstanding thermoforming characteristics, provide a superior material for signage applications.

PETG
PETG is a thermoplastic used in engineering applications. PETG offers the capability to produce complex shapes, precise details, without worrying about durability. It’s easily formed, diecut and punched. It brings increased design freedom and lower fabrication costs. PETG has the impact strength and fabrication ease that acrylic can’t touch, with the durability to significantly reduce packaging and shipping costs. It has many advantages of polycarbonate without the high material costs.

Applications

  • Electronic packaging
  • Machine guards
  • Medical Lab Equipment
  • Merchandise displays

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a tough, versatile product combining superior breakage protection and broad design latitude. It is stronger than glass and stronger than acrylic provides lasting protection against vandalism, burglary, and natural occurrences such as high winds, snow loads, and hailstorms.

Applications

  • LED light lens
  • Point of Purchase clear channels
  • Clear high impact tubing
  • High impact molded components
  • Architectural glazing
  • High-traffic, street level windows
  • School and transportation glazing
  • Security and detention windows

UL, FDA, and NSF materials available.

Nylon, General Purpose (ZYTEL® 42, NYLON 101, 6/6)
This is virgin, extruded nylon (beige, black) that costs significantly less to fabricate than stainless steel.

Applications

  • Rollers, bushings and bearings
  • Hinges and wear rings
  • Wear strips
  • Tooling fixtures, die wear plates, and form tools

Nylon, Impact-Resistant (ST 801®)
Impact-resistant or “super tough” nylon has 15 times greater impact resistance than general-purpose nylon.

Applications

  • High impact rollers (shock load)
  • Conveyor end bumper pads

Nylatron® GSM Blue, Nyloil® MDX Gray (Nylon, Oil-Impregnated)
These self-lubricating nylons are filled with oil and Molybdenum Disulfide. Like Hyd-Cast OFN, they have better wear-resistance than wear resistant nylon. Nycast Nyloil® -MDX, grey in color, is a molybdenum disulfide filled and internally lubricated cast nylon for applications requiring higher loadings. These self-lubricating nylons are filled with oil and Molybdenum Disulfide. Like Hyd-Cast OFN, they have better wear-resistance than wear resistant nylon. Nycast Nyloil® -MDX, grey in color, is a molybdenum disulfide filled and internally lubricated cast nylon for applications requiring higher loadings. Available in rod, sheet and tubular bar.

  • Crane boom wear pads
  • Mining Truck Bearings

Nylon, Structural (30% Glass Filled)
Glass filled nylon has 200% better strength than general purpose nylon but it is highly abrasive and will abraid or gall mating surfaces.

Applications

  • Structural components and stiffeners.
  • Structural Standoffs in Electrical Equipment Boxes

Nylon, Low-Moisture (6 /12, 11 and 12)
Low-moisture nylons should be used when dimensional stability and wear resistance in a moist environment are required. Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 have the best stability and absorption for nylon with Nylon 6/12 a close third.

Applications

  • Water-lubricated precision bearings and valve bodies

PEEK
PEEK provides excellent chemical resistance combined with heat resistance to 480° F. Used in steam or boiling water applications, PEEK experiences no significant decline in its properties.

Applications

  • High pressure liquid/gas chromatography parts
  • Steam cleaning equipment
  • Chemical pump gears & wear plates
  • Plasma arc torch bodies
  • Insulators & connectors
  • Transmission thrust washers

Filled Acetals (Delrin® AF, Delrin® AF Blend, Delrin® 500CL, and Acetron® NS)
Filled Acetals have better wear (up to 5X’s better,) have increased self-lubrication, and have lower coefficient of friction. Filled acetals provide higher wear performance.

Applications

  • Linear shaft bearings
  • Nonlubricated roller bearings
  • Chicken processing

Acetal, Glass Filled
A glass-filled homopolymer acetal that offers high stiffness, low warpage, and low creep, particularly in applications above room temperature.

Acetal, Static Dissipative
This static dissipative acetal is generally accepted for clean room use and has a surface resistivity of 1010 and 1012 ohm/cm. Static Dissipative Acetal reduces static in high volume, package moving applications.

Applications

  • Conveyor slide parts
  • Postal service letter machine parts

Acetal (Delrin® 150SA & 550SA, Acetron® GP, Celcon®)
Acetal, has dimensional stability, lower moisture absorption, and easier machinability than nylon, but is not as good in slide wear. It is FDA/USDA/NSF/3A Dairy Approved, has continuous-use temperature of 180° F, and is available in two types of Acetal (Homopolymers-Delrin 150SA, 550SA; Copolymers-Acetron GP, Celcon.

Applications

  • Packaging machinery star wheels
  • Poultry processing parts

Acetal is used for parts on many food processing machines.

NORYL
The NORYL family of modified PPE resins consists of amorphous blends of PPO™ resin (polyphenyleneether) and polystyrene. They combine the inherent benefits of PPO resin (affordable high heat resistance, good electrical properties, excellent hydrolytic stability and the ability to use non-halogen FR packages), with excellent dimensional stability, good process ability and low specific gravity. Hydrolytic stability, heat resistance. Noryl resins offer a good balance of mechanical and chemical properties and may be suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Applications

  • Pump, Valve and fitting applications
  • Manifolds
  • Housings
  • Electrical components
  • Scientific and analytical instrument components
  • Covers

UL certs available

Polyurethane
Polyurethane (PUR) – Polyurethanes are a large family of polymers with widely ranging properties and uses all based on the reaction product of an organic isocyanate with compounds containing a hydroxyl group. Polyurethanes may be thermosetting or thermoplastic, rigid and hard or flexible and soft, solid or cellular with great property variances. Principal applications are in coatings, elastomers and oams. Polyurethane has excellent abrasion resistance but high hysteresis. Rigid polyurethane foams have become widely used as insulation materials because of their combination of low heat transfer and good cost effectiveness. Use as insulation and other applications are restricted by an upper temperature capability of about 250°F. Polyurethanes do not survive well in direct sunlight or in contact with most organic solvents. Two types of polyurethane are common: polyester based and polyether based, with these backbone structures actually comprising a significant part of a so-called polyurethane resin.
Polyurethanes (PUR) offer Hydrolysis Resistant, Good Flexibility, Low Viscosity, Good Abrasion Resistance, Medium Hardness, Good Adhesion, Low Temperature Flexibility, Good Toughness, High Hardness

Applications

  • Molded footwear
  • Extruded wear strips
  • Molded automotive components
  • Molded wheels
  • Molded gears
  • Extruded rollers
  • Extruded hoses

Polysulfone
Polysulfone – A family of sulfur-containing thermoplastics, closely related to polyethersulfone (PES). The structure of the polysulfones is aromatic groups, generally with more than one benzene ring, joined by a sulfone group. Generally, polysulfone is a high cost, rigid, amorphous material with low moisture absorption. Reinforcement improves toughness and further enhances dimensional stability, but turns materials opaque. In addition, polysulfones are characterized by high strength, very high surface-temperature limits, low creep, good electrical characteristics, transparency, self-extinguishing ability, and resistance to greases, many solvents, and chemicals. Polysulfones may be processed by extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding. Polysulfone (PSU), introduced by Union Carbide in 1965, was among the first thermoplastics developed for long term service beyond 300°F. Polysulfone offers High Heat, Resistance, Good Chemical Resistance, Flame Retardant, Good Dimensional Stability, Lubricated, Good Toughness, Hydrolysis Resistant, Acid Resistant, Good Creep Resistance, Good Thermal Stability

Applications

  • High pressure liquid/gas chromatography parts
  • Steam cleaning equipment
  • Chemical pump gears & wear plates
  • Plasma arc torch bodies
  • Insulators & connectors
  • Transmission thrust washers

TPEs
Thermoplastic elastomers have the properties and performance of rubber, but are processed like plastic. TPEs are flexible materials that can be repeatedly stretched to at least twice their original length at room temperature and return to the approximate length of the original shape upon stress release. TPE’s provide excellent weather resistance, shock absorption, outstanding ozone resistance, can be co-extruded, and are available in a range of durometers from very soft to hard. TPE’s provide simplified processing over thermoset rubber since there is no mixing or vulcanization involved. TPE’s offer lower part cost through lower density and thinner wall sections. TPE’s are colorable and can be recycled.

Applications

  • Slip resistance applications
  • Water lines
  • Chemical pump gears & wear plates
  • Insulators & connectors
  • Transmission thrust washers
  • Weather strips
  • HVAC seals
  • Appliance handles
  • Molded non-slip grips
  • UL and NSF approval are available with certain grades.

TUBING
Whether you need tubing for food, medical, fuel, or chemical related applications, RPM Industries has what you’re looking for.

RIGID
PVC, Clear, Schedule 40 Tubing
This FDA compliant, clear tubing is the most practical where visual observation is required. It can be assembled like standard PVC piping.

Acrylic Tubing
This UV stabilized tubing will not yellow or become significantly brittle when exposure to sunlight.

Polycarbonate Tubing
For the clarity of glass and the impact strength of metal, specify Polycarbonate Tubing. Made from FDA approved ingredients, PC tube gives extraordinary design and fabrication opportunities. It can be machined, drilled, cut and sawed, and is easily joined with solvents and adhesives.

FLEXIBLE & SEMI-RIGID
PVC, Economy, FDA, NSF Tubing
This is the most commonly used, lowest cost, flexible PVC tubing. It is clear and FDA compliant but has loose tolerances on the I.D.

Applications

  • Food and Beverage lines
  • Air lines

PVC, FDA/USDA, NSF Medical Tubing
This premium, clear PVC tubing is the most flexible and complies with FDA, USDA, and USP VI standards.

Applications

  • Lab and research equipment
  • Incubators
  • Food and beverage lines

LLDPE Tubing

Applications

  • Dairy machinery
  • Refrigeration systems

This semi-rigid, low cost polyurethane tubing handles a vacuum. It complies with FDA/USDA standards, is not clear (translucent), and has some chemical resistance

PTFE, Chemically Resistant
This semi-rigid, UV resistant, PTFE tubing has the best chemical/corrosion resistance and handles up to 550°F. It complies to FDA, USDA, NSF, 3A and USP VI standards and is UL94-VO rated.

Applications

  • Analytical Equipment (Biological/Environmental)

Polypropylene Tubing
This semi-rigid, autoclavable corrosion resistant polypropylene (co-polymer) tubing handles a vacuum and complies with FDA/USDA standards. It also handles higher temperatures/pressures than PVC, LLDPE and Polyurethane.

Applications

  • Photoprocessing equipment
  • Squirt bottle straws

Polyurethane, Fuel Tubing
This ester based polyurethane (PUR) tubing is resistant to continuous exposure to petroleum- based liquids. It has no plasticizers, unlike PVC-fuel grade.

Applications

  • Riding mower fuel lines

Polyurethane, Fuel & Water Tubing
This ether based polyurethane (PUR) tubing is resistant to petroleum and water based liquids. It has no plasticizers, unlike PVC-Fuel grade.

Applications

  • Boat outboard fuel lines
  • Jet ski/wave runner fuel lines