Stiff Competition

All thermoplastic composites aren't created equal. A systematic material-selection process will help ensure composites perform as expected and don't break the bank in the process. Edited by Jean M. Hoffman Long-fiber compounds provide numerous benefits over steel, such as weight reduction, in this work-boot safety toecap. The compound exceeds the specifications for safety boots, which states that a cap must withstand 7,500 lb of direct impact and 2,500 lb of static load. A disposable pump is engineered with a polyphenylene-sulfide (PPS) glassfiber-reinforced compound with PTFE lubrication using FDA-compliant polymers and ingredients. PPS is a semicrystalline thermoplastic that is a candidate for applications that require a balance of properties to meet crucial strength, temperature, and economical demands. A precolored glass-fiber-reinforced nylon 6 compound is customized with a dazzling metallic effect to give this rotary tool a professional and durable appearance. In addition to meeting the critical color match, the compound provides the necessary impact resistance and UL94 HB recognition. "How do I choose the right thermoplastic composite?" is a question that may put knots in the stomachs of even the most seasoned designers. That's because there are thousands of thermoplastic composites available. So it's important to take a systematic and logical approach when choosing a composite. There are five fundamentals that are key: Resin morphology, cost comparison, temperature resistance, property enhancement using aspect ratio, and