Materials . . . RUBBERS & ELASTOMERS

• Conductive
• Standard shapes

Polyurethane.

Durethane C is a machinable, solid thermoset polyurethane that can be custom-formulated in wide ranges of conductivity and durometer. Available in sheets, bars, rods and tubes, the material is also available as custom-manufactured components and in foam formulations. Conductive urethane components are used in business machine paper handling mechanisms and other applications where electrostatic dissipation is required. Standard shapes come in sheets up to 4- x 48- x 48-in.; bars up to 4- x 4- x 48-in.; and rods up to 6-in. D and 36-in. long. Tubes are spin cast for very thin wall thicknesses, and come with OD up to 6 in. Shapes can be formulated in durometers from 10 Shore A to 85 Shore D. Mearthane Products Corp, Cranston, RI. Free info--Circle 560. Go direct to spec at: http://www.OneRS.net/105df-560

For more rubbers & elastomers, go to http://www.OneRS.net/105df-418

Custom parts. This company engineers and manufactures quality molded and stamped rubber parts to meet demanding dimensional and functional requirements. Design assistance is provided on custom parts for appliance, automotive, hardware, aerospace, toys, e/e and other applications. Syntex Rubber Corp, Bridgeport, CT. Free info--Circle 563.

PEEK part. This redesigned truck cooling fan's float seal assembly includes a seal that was previously machined from carbon. The redesign included injection molding a float seal to a finished net shape of PEEK, eliminating expensive machining. Minnesota Rubber, Minneapolis, MN. Free info--Circle 561. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-561

Custom molding. This company provides complete services for the creation of rubber goods, including in-house CAD work, material mixing and CNC grinding. They are capable of producing pump diaphragms and impellers, rollers and roller assemblies, cleaning rollers, shock and vibration isolators and mounts, medical products and other precision rubber products. Rollers up to 72 in. in length can be made. Hiawatha Rubber Co, Minneapolis, MN. Free info--Circle 458. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-458

Extruded dense fluoroelastomer. This 70-durometer dense fluoroelastomer compound can be extruded into intricate profiles. They can also extrude into thin wall hollow tubes with distortion-free legs and flanges. Lauren Manufacturing, New Philadelphia, OH. Free info--Circle 567. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-567

Castable urethane compounds. Flexane Liquid is a 2-component, medium viscosity urethane compound. It cures to a semi-rigid rubber material that returns to its original shape after 650% elongation. Applications include flexible molds, dies, cast parts, holding fixtures, and more. Devcon, Danvers, MA. Free info--Circle 568.

Thermoplastic vulcanites. This new formulator and producer of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer/vulcanizate) manufactures materials in natural, black and colors under the NexPrene name. The company expects to double its production facilities and unveil state-of-the-art dynamic vulcanization technology manufacturing equipment by early summer. It is targeting efforts toward applications that include automotive weatherseals and under the hood, building and construction products, medical goods and apparel, products which need to meet FDA and NSF requirements, appliances, electrical and electronic products and packaging, and consumer goods. Thermoplastic Rubber Systems, Shirley, MA. Free info--Circle 565. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-565

Gap fillers. These provide a thermal path between heat sources and heat sinks. Used in electronic and telecommunications applications, TC2000 allows intimate contact between components where a large gap is generated in assembly design. Stockwell Rubber Co, Collingswood, NJ. Free info--Circle 562. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-562

Thermoforming rubber. Alcryn MPR is a melt-processible rubber that delivers the durable performance characteristics of rubber, and easily processes on conventional plastics equipment. It does not require vulcanization, pre-drying or any compounding before processing. Scrap is recycled with no detrimental effect on performance or appearance. It outperforms soft TPEs and many vulcanized rubbers in durability, coefficient of friction, and resistance to abrasion. Advanced Polymer Alloys, Wilmington, DE. Free info--Circle 566. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-566

Materials Application

• Steel/TPE-constructed conduit clamps
• Provides cost and performance advantages

Application X-tra

Light Rail System Safeguards Electrical Circuits with Help from Thermoplastic Elastomer

The nation's fifth-largest public transportation system is upgrading the infrastructure of its light rail system by installing conduit clamps made with plated steel or stainless steel and Dytron XL thermoplastic elastomer. The clamps protect the critical electrical circuits and pipes within the system's tunnels from exposure to water, fire, heat and other potential hazards. The clamps are used to bundle the electrical cables and process pipes that are bolted to walls, ceilings and service raceways.

Made with Dytron XL TPE from AES, the Porce-A-Clamp protects critical electrical circuits from hazardous conditions in railway tunnels.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority has specified the Porce-A-Clamp, manufactured by ZSi, Westland, MI. The patented fastener unit consists of an injection molded Dytron XL TPE cushion from Advanced Elastomer Systems (AES), Akron, OH. The cushion is designed-in for safety. The cushion will insulate the conduit from the surrounding plated or stainless steel clamp.

Halogen-free and flame-retardant, Dytron XL TPE meets Federal Railroad Administration regulations for flammability and smoke emission, as well as Boeing's BSS-7239 and Bombadier's SMP 800C regulations for toxicity.

"Dytron XL TPE is an ideal material for the inner clamp cushion because it has exceptional chemical resistance and is flame retardant--two key properties necessary for protecting vital electrical components in harsh, gritty conditions such as a light rail tunnel," said Kris Wegar, Zsi president and CEO. "Through its solid steel/TPE construction, the non-breakable Porce-A-Clamp is an effective, cost-sensitive alternative to porcelain clamps."

--KC

For more information:

Circle 570 - Advanced Elastomer Systems or connect directly to their website via the

Online Reader Service Program at http://www.OneRS.net/105df-570

Circle 571 - ZSi or connect directly to http://www.OneRS.net/105df-571

Circle 572 - SEPTA or connect directly to http://www.OneRS.net/105df-572