Materials Used for Plastic Machining

At Brogan & Patrick Mfg.Corp., we understand that the quality and grade of plastic that is used for machining are equally important as the technique. We are capable of working with a wide range of superior grade plastics. This capability makes us the “one-stop-solution” for our customers’ needs.

The plastic material of small as well as large micron range can be machined effectively at our state-of-the-art facility. Let us have a look at the wide range of plastic materials that we can machine:

  • G10/FR4 Machining: G10 and FR4 are high-pressure industrial laminates made from glass fabric impregnated with epoxy resin. The differences between NEMA Grades G10 and FR4 is that FR4 is a fire-retardant grade of G10. FR4 can be safely substituted where G10 is specified unless the component is going into a nuclear reactor. However, G10 can never be substituted when FR4 is spec’d in a drawing.
  • UHMW/Polyethylene Machining: We make use of this plastic for machining and fabricating various standard and custom packaging products. Our groups of expert personnel have researched the various density and branching configurations of polyethylene. This has given us the ability to machine this thermoplastic polymer with ease and efficiency.
  • PEEK: PEEK is one of the premiere high-performance material. PEEK can maintain extremely tight tolerances for applications requiring very exact specifications. PEEK can maintain the strength and integrity of geometry at continuous operating temperatures up to 500-degree Fahrenheit.
  • Teflon® (PTFE): Teflon® (PTFE) is a high-performance material that has a low coefficient of friction combined with fantastic wear resistance.  It is a material that is great in harsh, chemically exposed environments. Teflon® (PTFE) is a great material for sealing applications because it is self-lubricating.  Its insulative characteristics make it a great choice in electrical applications.
  • Nylon: One of the most commonly used synthetic fabrics; nylon is machined at Brogan & Patrick Mfg.Corp. using sophisticated techniques. There are numerous configurations available of this polyamide and that is why it can be machined to fit different applications.
  • Delrin®: The chemical name of this compound is polyoxymethylene. We make use of this ingeniously engineered thermoplastic to machine plastics that have impeccable stability in terms of dimensions, very low friction rate, and immense stiffness. Right from locking systems to fasteners, and ball bearings, this thermoplastic is used extensively at Brogan & Patrick Mfg.Corp. for excellent product quality.
  • Torlon® Machining: Machining Torlon® requires the proper tooling and inserts. Torlon® often requires carbide or diamond tooling for production runs. Torlon® has the ability to hold extremely tight tolerances and perform at high levels in extreme heat as well as cold environments. In order, to get the best finish and most precise tolerances out of a machined Torlon® part, it requires the use of proper tooling, coolant as well as speeds and feeds.
  • Ultem®: Ultem® is a high strength and chemical resistant material. It can be used in continuous operating environments well over 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Ultem® is a great material for applications in the semiconductor industry, aerospace and medical fields.
  • ABS: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) machine at our facility to fabricate parts that can be used for various mechanical processes. Although very tough to fabricate, this material exhibits excellent resistance to high temperatures.
  • PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most popular thermoplastics. The demand for CNC machined PVC parts across industries is high owing to the versatility and economic efficiency the material offers.
  • Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate is one of the most popular transparent engineering thermoplastics used today. Polycarbonate machined parts have a wide scope of application in industries like automobile, electrical and electronics, packaging, medical device manufacturing, and many more.
  • Vespel: Vespel® is the most popular engineered polyamide-based plastic by DuPont. Vespel® machined parts are in demand for applications exposed to harsh industrial environments.
  • Acetal: Most plastic part applications require the part to be stiff and with a good dimensional stability as well as heat resistance. So, the type of polymer must be chosen accordingly. CNC machined acetal parts fit the bill in this case. Also known as polyacetal or polyoxymethylene, acetal is a widely used semi-crystalline engineered thermoplastic used for making machined parts.
  • Acrylic: Acrylic is one of the most popular thermoplastics that is known for its strength and opacity. Acrylic is an abbreviation of “polymethyl methacrylate” and is also known by names such as PMMA, Perspex, and so on. Although easily machinable, building accurate parts from this material demands experience and expertise in acrylic machining services.
  • PSU: Polysulfone is a UDEL based highly resistant thermoplastic. It has excellent properties which enables precision PSU plastic machining. This high-performance thermoplastic has a wide operating temperature range and can resist extremely harsh conditions without any change in its basic properties and structure. Acrylic is one of the most popular thermoplastics that is known for its strength and opacity.

At Brogan & Patrick Mfg.Corp., we not only machine these plastic materials, but also ensure that their strength and durability is enhanced so that they can serve your applications in a better way.

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