The demand for medical plastic parts has increased in recent years due to both advances in medical treatment and care and changes to the healthcare system. Sterilization requirements for medical equipment and devices have become more rigorous in recent years as Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements are reduced for hospitals with higher-than-specified hospital-acquired infections. The increased […]
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In nearly every industry, prototyping is a necessary stage of product development that ultimately determines whether or not your production efforts will be successful. And with the advent of rapid prototyping, it is now both affordable and easy to produce plastic prototypes quickly. CNC plastic prototypes utilize CNC machining to create functional prototypes that meet […]
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The chemical resistance of plastics is determined by a particular plastic’s chemical formula. Some plastics can withstand strong acids with negligible effects on their mechanical properties, while others will decompose or dissolve in a short period of time. In this blog we will look at 7 plastics that have excellent chemical resistance. Reviewing the Superior […]
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When it comes to applications that require high-performance plastic, PEEK is often a top recommendation. You may be wondering, what is PEEK plastic and why is it so popular? We often refer to PEEK as the “powerhouse polymer” because of its unique combination of outstanding properties that make it suitable for a wide array of […]
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Stiffness is one of the key mechanical properties of plastic, along with strength, hardness, and toughness. The stiffness of plastics is described by flexural modulus (the ability of a material to bend), which is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The higher the flexural modulus, the stiffer the material; the lower the flexural modulus, […]
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Today’s precision engineering plastics offer superior chemical resistance, higher temperature capability, greater dimensional stability, good wear resistance, and excellent machinability. Below are five of the best precision engineering plastics on the market, able to tackle the most challenging applications in any industry. PEI (Ultem) With a tensile strength of 15,200 psi and continuous use up […]
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Plastics have been revolutionizing the medical device industry because they can be machined into complex designs, offer lightweight yet high strength alternatives to metal, and can withstand rigorous and repeated sanitizing. As a plastic medical device manufacturer, Reading Plastic knows that precision and speed are crucial to the medical industry. That is why we pride […]
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PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) is a semicrystalline material that is often used for applications that involve exposure to corrosive chemicals at elevated temperatures. That is because PPS material offers the broadest resistance to chemicals of any advanced engineering plastic, with no known solvents below 392°F (200°C). Combined with outstanding mechanical properties and excellent resistance to hot […]
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Nuclear energy is responsible for 11% of the world’s electricity, and is the second-largest source of low-carbon energy worldwide. The efficiency, operation and safety of these plants is dependent upon the quality of the components they are comprised of, and often it is the smallest components of nuclear power plants that get overlooked. During the […]
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The term “radiation” encompasses the whole broad spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths – from long radio waves to extremely short gamma rays – as well as ionizing radiation. Knowing the types of radiation your plastic components will be exposed to will help you choose the plastic material with the appropriate degree of radiation resistance. Electromagnetic Radiation […]
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Plastic outgassing is an important factor for plastic components that are going to be used in high-heat environments, vacuum applications, or enclosed spaces. Choosing low-outgassing plastics for these applications protects both workers and equipment. What is Plastic Outgassing? Most plastics contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, when vaporized, are poisonous, carbon-containing chemicals. Direct contact with […]
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The term “plastic” covers a host of materials, from those used in kitchen utensils and plastic bags to those found in car parts and aircraft engines. Plastics are typically broken down into three categories: standard, engineering, and high performance. Standard plastics are the most common due to their low cost, but they also have the […]
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