TPX / methyl methacrylate suppliers

[opticsman]

Hi All, I am trying to find a supplier of TPX in the UK . I was under the impression it was the same thing as Methyl methacrylate, but after searching the web I dont think it is . Does this latter material have a trade name ( and again supplier if possible?) Many thanks. Opticsman

 

[patprimmer]

TPX is Polymethyl Pentene

It certainly is NOT Methyl Methacrylate (PMA), and has very different properties to Methyl Methacrylate.

The only manufacturer I know is Mitsui.

I am sure you can find them by a google search, and from there you can find their agent in the UK

In Australia, it is 3 to 4 times the price of polycarbonate, and 6 to 8 times the price of Acrylic (PMA).

It is in fact a polyolefine and has many properties similar to Polypropylene and polyethylene.

It's features are:-
Exceptionally low SG of 0.81
Exceptionally high heat deflection temp for a polyolefin.
Exceptionally good chemical resistance typical of a POLYOLEFIN
It is the only thermoplastic that is transparent in it's crystaline state due to the unique coincidence that the refractive index of the crystaline and amorphous phases are identical. This of course gives a unique opertunity to obtain the properties typical of a crystaline material combined with transparency.

No I have connection with Mitsui nor their Australian agent, in fact their Australian agent retrenched me some years ago, as one of their Marketing Degree guys decided that technical support was not necessary to sell Engineering Plastics. They are now out of business. I am not (.I

Regards
pat

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[opticsman]

thanks Pat .

 

[TrevorD]

Mitsui, have an Office in London, 20 The Old Bailey, The are a large trading company and can source many items.

 

[Pud]

You may like to consider alternative materials to TPX - Mitsui's customer service is not great in UK either - there is a relatively new material made by Ticona called Topas. It is a cyclo-olefin which has excellent chemical resistance and higher HDT (for certain grades). It is also transparent with a high refractive index (1.53). Not cheap at present.

FYI i have no connection with Ticona!!