Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
(OP)
Hello, I hope someone can give me an idea where to start here. Currently i am using a two part polyurethane thru a gun dispenser to make the parts that i need but am hopeful that there is an easier way to produce.
essentially i am taking a group of parallel, equally spaced carbon or 304 stainless wires , ranging in diameters of 1.6mm to 3.0mm and a spacing of 6mm thru 15mm and pouring a perpendicular polyurethane strip approx 30mm wide by 6mm thick.
The current process works fine from a finished product standpoint, it has the sliding abrasion resistance and flexibility that i require but it is a time consuming and wasteful process.
I was hoping that there was a plastic out there that would provide some of the same characteristics as the two part PU yet would come in a solid state (strip/coil form) and could be activated by a heat lamp or some such device, so I could lay it out and position it and then heat it??? and the wires would sink into it and then when the heat/whatever was removed it would set up and the wire would be covered.
I am not against using two strips, one on the top and one on the bottom of the wire and then have them bond together.
The key thing is the wire is trapped and will not come apart
thanks
essentially i am taking a group of parallel, equally spaced carbon or 304 stainless wires , ranging in diameters of 1.6mm to 3.0mm and a spacing of 6mm thru 15mm and pouring a perpendicular polyurethane strip approx 30mm wide by 6mm thick.
The current process works fine from a finished product standpoint, it has the sliding abrasion resistance and flexibility that i require but it is a time consuming and wasteful process.
I was hoping that there was a plastic out there that would provide some of the same characteristics as the two part PU yet would come in a solid state (strip/coil form) and could be activated by a heat lamp or some such device, so I could lay it out and position it and then heat it??? and the wires would sink into it and then when the heat/whatever was removed it would set up and the wire would be covered.
I am not against using two strips, one on the top and one on the bottom of the wire and then have them bond together.
The key thing is the wire is trapped and will not come apart
thanks






RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
Regards
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RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
Regards
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RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.
RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
Are you trying to permanently encapsulate the wires.
Do the sizes vary from piece to piece or is it always the same collection of sizes.
I really don't want to get involved in a drawn out guessing game, but if you clearly tell us what you really want to do, I am sure a few will offer good advice.
Regards
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RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
I am not sure that such a plastic exists or if it can be done with heat. Any ideas?
Thanks
RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
You mentioned wear resistance in your op - you are not going to get better than 2 part PU for this. All injection moulding materials fall someway short of cast PU in this respect - even inj moulding grades of PU.
imho, you may already have the best solution if not the best manufacturing process.
Cheers
Harry
RE: Thermoset /thermoform plastics recommendations
In injection moulding, pressures from 5000 to 20000 psi are typically necessary to force the plastic to fill the mould and conform to the surface. The forces from gravity are more like 1 or 2 psi, or less than 1 psi at the weld line.
Also, thermoplastics normally degrade when exposed to air for more than a few seconds at their melt temperature.
As others have said, cast polyurethane really does sound like the best process for you. You may be able to speed up the process with different grades, moulds and process conditions.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.