Clear Plastic
Clear Plastic
(OP)
I am looking for a clear injection moldable plastic. The environment the plastic will be subjected to is temperatures up to 275 degrees F and submersed in aerospace hydraulic fluid (Skydrol). The plastic is lightly loaded but needs to maintain it's clarity. Any suggestion would be appreciated.






RE: Clear Plastic
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RE: Clear Plastic
You can get clear PCTFE.
PC will not work because of the hydrocarbon exposure.
Glass is an alternative.
RE: Clear Plastic
Others may make similar.
Cheers
Harry
RE: Clear Plastic
RE: Clear Plastic
Ben,
I think Demon3 has been on the hyroxyethane, with several aldehydes added too, causing a digital malfunction...
PES - ok for hydrolysis, no idea re oils? Also narrow processing window. Drying prior to moulding critical, etc, etc. Plus it's got a yellow tint.
(Built them thar blades yet?)
Cheers boys
Harry
RE: Clear Plastic
The blades became paddles for a kayak trip last year, they worked great. I should post a picture in the pub one of these days. Haven't had a chance to paddle again lately; need to get the canoe seats rebuilt for duck season...also one of these days.
As for Skydrol and clear plastic...
Skydrol is a horrible thing to try and find compatibility lists for, it behaves in nasty ways as it gets hot, and polymers that are okay at one temperature will fail spectacularly at another. The answer to the OP is to test a few of the suggestions, but be open to the idea that the right answer may be glass.
Some backup for polysulfones:
This document seems to say polyethersulfone is okay (look up hydraulic fluid, where it says something about a phosphate ester mix):
http://
This reference just adds a bit more confusion,
http://b
where it reports polyphenylsulfone as incompatible (failure in 30 minutes) with 200 F Skydrol.
This list, published by the manufacturer of Skydrol, is incomplete in not listing the polysulfones, but does list nylon, polyamides, and polyimides:
http://www.skydrol.com/pages/materials_chart.asp
So, Pud's suggestions may get closer to the mark than any other.
The fluorocarbons, IMO, will tend to be too soft (ECTFE) and/or too translucent (unclear) at workable thicknesses to be of much use; YMMV. Try PVDF, PFA, if you can find them in transparent sheet form. PFA is not moldable, but PVDF can be?
RE: Clear Plastic
I am going to try Homalite H911 next. I do like the PCTFE option.
RE: Clear Plastic
Ultem 1000 = polyetherimide
Radel R-5000 NT = polyphenylsulfone (Dave, you did just mistype a K, right?)
Trogamid = polyamide
Rilsan = polyamides
Grilamid = Type 12 polyamide (nylon 12)
Xylex 7519 = polycarbonate + polyester mix
I would still try polyethersulfone, but won't hold my breath. Have you thought of using epoxy?
RE: Clear Plastic
Another possibility: http://www.topas.com/news-literature-brochures. I thought this stuff was made by Ticona but they must have sold it off. Link is to .pdf brochure direct as most info here. Then there's TPX (Mitsui), but there's a complete lack of tech stuff on their website. Used for lab equipment. HDT may be bit low though...
Cheers
Harry
Ben: Good man - pics pse yes!
RE: Clear Plastic
RE: Clear Plastic
You might try these: http://www.hybridplastics.com/
I think they make a nano-reinforced Topas which is "sorta" clear. Properties you are interested in may be improved.
Cheers
Harry
RE: Clear Plastic
It is a polyolefin, but has PC type temperature resistace.
It is both semi crystalline and transparent so it has typical crystalline polymer properties in general.
I have a lot of data on it at home if required.
TPX was in very short supply last time I enquired.
With other typically crystalline polymers that have transparent versions, the transparent version is amorphous and therefore exhibits some other amorphous polymer characteristics.
Reny is another transparent amorphous nylon similar to some grades of Grilamid. Transparent Grilamid comes in several types so just because one fails, others may not. EMS should be able to advis.
Solvay is also a good source of the exotic transparent polymers and as a large range of Keytone and Sulphone type polymers.
Regards
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RE: Clear Plastic
RE: Clear Plastic
Even if your piece is lightly loaded injection molding can leave residual stress that lower chemical resistance. Sometimes these can be relieved by annealing.
So in your testing include a part that has a representative load on it.