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Ryertex FR4 Products

Ryertex is a family of high-performance, fiber-reinforced plastic composites designed for use in demanding industrial applications. These materials are used for electrical insulation or as a metal substitute in high-speed, high-temperature, or high-load applications, or where lubrication loss is a concern. Due to their versatility, Ryertex composites are used extensively across industries like steel and aluminum mills, paper and lumber mills, oil and gas, copper processing, aerospace, mining, and construction equipment.

Among the various grades of Ryertex, Ryertex FR4 stands out for its exceptional combination of mechanical strength and flame-retardant properties. With a reputation for durability and reliability, this grade is a top choice for applications exposed to harsh operating conditions. Below, we’ll discuss the benefits of using Ryertex over other materials as well as the unique properties of Ryertex FR4, in particular.

Why Use Ryertex Over Other Materials

Since its introduction in the 1930s, Ryertex quickly became a valuable metal alternative, especially during World War II when the demand for metal replacements soared. Over time, it has become synonymous with quality, durability, and versatility in industrial components.

Ryertex, specifically the FR4 grade, is one of the most popular grades used in industrial settings due to its high strength and superior thermal properties. Unlike some other materials, Ryertex maintains excellent performance in tough conditions, making it a common choice for wear parts across diverse industries.

While Ryertex is a globally recognized brand, there are numerous other names in the marketplace that are thermoset laminate composites. These include names like Bakelite, Garolite, Lamitex, Micarta, Phenolic, and Resiten. At WS Hampshire, we can cross-reference your application requirements to the corresponding Ryertex solution. With a reputation for producing high-quality, custom-fabricated parts, we can provide Ryertex components such as bearings, bushings, and wear components, all tailored to meet your unique industrial needs.

Ryertex Grade FR4 Properties

Ryertex FR4 is a composite of woven fiber glass and epoxy resin, just as in G10, but with the addition of bromine to give flame-retardant properties. It is the most popular epoxy glass product on the market, with high demand particularly driven by the PCB industry due to its flame retardancy.

Here’s a closer look at the key properties of Ryertex FR4:

• Mechanical Strength. Ryertex FR4 is a high-performance, rigid industrial laminate with mechanical properties that exceed most other thermosets.
• Temperature Tolerance. It serves as a Class B electrical insulator up to temperatures of 325 °F, ensuring reliable performance in high-temperature environments.
• Low Water Absorption. This feature helps Ryertex FR4 maintain its mechanical properties even in high humidity or wet conditions.
• Customizability. Ryertex FR4 comes in sheets, tubes, and rods, with custom sizes and fabrication services available from WS Hampshire.
• Compliance. Ryertex FR4 adheres to NEMA G10, NEMA FR4, and MIL-I-24768-2 standards.

Because of its beneficial properties, Ryertex FR4 is commonly used for the following applications:

• Wear parts such as bushings, bearings, and wear pads
• Electrical and mechanical insulation
• Power generation and transmission
• High-humidity applications

Learn More From WS Hampshire

WS Hampshire is a trusted custom fabricator specializing in thermoset and thermoplastic products. With over 130 years of industry experience, we have earned a reputation for producing high-quality, non-metallic components that can replace metal parts in various industrial settings, helping to reduce weight and operational costs. From custom bearings and bushing to wear pads and sheaves, WS Hampshire provides engineered solutions tailored to your needs.

If you’re looking for reliable Ryertex FR4 products or other advanced thermoset materials, contact us today to learn how we can help with your next project.

Ryertex Composites vs. Timco Thermoplastics: How to Choose

Selecting the Right Material for the Job

Selecting the right material for a project is essential to the durability, performance, and cost-effectiveness of that application. For wear components, composites and thermoplastics offer distinct advantages over metals, including corrosion resistance, weight reduction, and elimination of wear to mating components. When choosing between Ryertex composites and Timco thermoplastics, there are several additional factors to consider based on your specific application.

Let’s look at a direct comparison of the material properties, selection criteria, and applications of each option to decide which material is best suited for your project.

Ryertex Composites: A Closer Look

Ryertex composites are a line of high-performance thermoset laminates that provide exceptional thermal resistance and mechanical strength. These fiber-reinforced plastic composites are created by impregnating layers of glass cloth, canvas, or other fabrics with epoxy, phenolic, or other resins. They are then cured under pressure and heat to create a durable, rigid material suitable for many demanding applications.

Material Properties

Applications

Ryertex composites are often employed in medium to heavy industrial settings for critical applications such as:

• Bearings/Bushings
• Gears
• Wear parts
• Thermal/Electrical Insulation

Timco Thermoplastics: Key Features

Timco thermoplastics encompass a broad range of engineering plastics with exceptional machinability, versatility, and recyclability. Unlike thermosets, these thermoplastics can be reformed and melted repeatedly, offering distinct advantages in various applications.

Material Properties

Applications

Timco technical thermoplastics are utilized in a broad range of industries and applications, including but not limited to:

• Automotive
• Consumer products
• Electronics
• Housings
• Gears
• Wear-resistant parts

Comparing the Two: A Side-by-Side Analysis

Cost Considerations

Machinability

Recyclability

Resistance and Durability

Ryertex Composites and Timco Thermoplastics from WS Hampshire

When comparing Ryertex composites vs. Timco thermoplastics, always consider specific application requirements, such as:

• Chemical exposure
• Design complexity
• Mechanical loads
• Thermal conditions

Our industry-recognized brands Timco and Ryertex meet the highest material standards. When combined with our application engineering and technical expertise, these materials can replace traditionally used materials while significantly reducing operating expenses and downtime.

As a leading custom fabricator of non-metallic materials, WS Hampshire offers a comprehensive range of capabilities, including punching, stamping, CNC machining, vacuum forming, and rotary die. We produce innovative OEM-quality fabricated components and small-volume, made-to-order parts, supported by a tailored supply chain program.

Contact us today to learn more about our products and services or for help choosing a material for your project.

Boosting Performance, Extending Lifespan

In industries like construction, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and others that use cranes, bulldozers, excavators, lifts, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment, wear and tear on components is inevitable. Depending on operating conditions and the work being performed, maintenance, repair, and replacement of worn components can cause excessive downtime, labor, and expense.

WS Hampshire specializes in fabricating custom, thermoplastic and composite parts and components that are durable and tailored to the needs of each application. We work with a range of high-performance materials that outperform traditional materials in heavy equipment, even in harsh conditions.

Learn more about the benefits of developing custom components for heavy equipment and read how our team engineered a solution for a customer that dramatically reduced maintenance work and expenses.

The Power of Customization

Heavy equipment is complex and must withstand hundreds or thousands of hours of repetitive motion at a job site or facility. Moving heavy loads, hoisting equipment or material, operating in excessive hot, cold, or wet conditions, with little down time take a toll on external and internal components.

Time and money spent replacing components means downtime that impacts other departments or customers and eats into profitability. Fortunately it is often possible to engineer replacement components from composite materials that are more durable, easier to maintain, and more convenient to use such as:

• Nose Cone Bearing
• Body Pivot Bushings
• Wire rope Sheaves and Pulleys
• Wear Plates and Slide Pads
• Guide Pads for Extension Cylinders
• Rollers and Wheels
• Hose Clamps and Guides
• Dust Seals
• Scraper Blades
• Outrigger Float Pads

Key Benefits of Custom Components

Custom components are designed specifically for the machine and application in question. Material properties, dimensions, and any special features like colors or finishes, can be included to optimize performance and wear over time. There are several benefits to this custom approach:

1. A Solution Tailored to the Application

Custom parts and equipment are developed to be fully functional for a specific application, so there is no trade off between performance and one-size-fits-all design. Parameters that can be customized include:

• Material composition
• Performance and durability
• Shape
• Dimensions
• Tolerances

2. Competitive Advantage

By upgrading heavy equipment with custom components that enhance efficiency and performance, less production time is lost to maintenance, repair, or developing workarounds for an application. More time on-task is a competitive advantage and boosts profitability.

3. Enhanced Performance

Custom components can be designed to achieve specific goals such as:

• Enhanced performance
• More time between repairs
• Longer useful life
• Process efficiency
• Improved finished product quality or higher yields

4. Cost Efficiency

While custom engineering and manufacturing may be more costly than standardized, ‘off the shelf’ parts, there are often long-term savings to be gained. These include:

5. Integration and Compatibility

Custom-engineered components are made to fit equipment precisely and seamlessly integrate with other parts of a system. This reduces the risk of damage or downtime from ill-fitting or incompatible standard parts.

6. Flexibility and Innovation

Custom engineering fosters innovative state-of-the-art components that set new standards for the equipment, application, and industry. Each component is an opportunity to refine operations and benefit from new ideas.

Real-World Success

This real-world example highlights how changing material used for a critical component in a steel mill saved both time and money.

Replacing Metal with Nylon Makes Major Impact

A specialty steel mill sought ways to reduce downtime and expenses due to a slipper pad on their rolling mill. The aluminum bronze pad was heavy and cumbersome, and required the use of a crane each time it was replaced. With pads wearing out frequently, the mill determined a new solution was needed.

Our team evaluated the requirements for cost and performance as well as factors like weight, operating conditions, and expected lifespan of the pad. A self-lubricating, impact-modified cast nylon material that matched the property profile for the pad was selected. Once fabricated, the new pad was 80% lighter than the original and could be replaced safely without the need for a crane.

We monitored the new pad for signs of wear for over a year to validate the solution. Not only did this nylon component meet the basic performance goals for the project, the new pad lasted longer and even eliminated wear on the mating spindle – an unexpected additional benefit. Pleased with the outcome, the mill chose to standardize all of their parts with WS Hampshire.

Invest in Your Equipment with WS Hampshire

WS Hampshire brings decades of experience with non-metallic and composite materials to custom manufacturing. Our capabilities include CNC machining, punching, stamping, rotary die, vacuum forming, and assembly. We are dedicated to meeting or exceeding our customers’ expectations and requirements for each project.

Contact us to learn more about getting the most from your heavy equipment with custom components from WS Hampshire.

Nylon vs. Delrin^®

Two Strong Contenders in the World of Plastics

When selecting materials for industrial or consumer applications, nylon and Delrin^® often top the list of options. These engineering-grade plastics are both known for their durability, versatility, and impressive mechanical properties. However, they have distinct qualities that make them each better choices for different applications. While nylon is celebrated for its toughness and flexibility, Delrin^® excels in precision and chemical resistance.

Understanding the unique strengths and limitations of materials is key to choosing the right one. This guide will explore the mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and common applications of these two popular materials so you can make an informed decision.

Nylon: A Versatile Engineering Plastic

Nylon is best known for its exceptional tensile strength and flexibility. These qualities make it ideal for components like sheaves, gears, and bushings that must endure heavy, repetitive loads. In addition, nylon effectively absorbs shocks and vibrations, making it a preferred choice in high-stress environments like hoisting and pulley systems.

Certain environmental factors, particularly moisture absorption, can influence nylon’s performance. In humid conditions, nylon can swell, which may affect its dimensional stability. Despite this drawback, it remains a top choice for applications that require wear resistance and durability.

Chemical Resistance

Nylon is resistant to many hydrocarbons, oils, and lubricants, performing well in applications with mild chemical exposure. However, it is less effective against strong acids or bases and may require additional treatments to withstand harsher environments.

Top Applications

Nylon’s strength and flexibility make it suitable for a wide range of uses, including:

• Automotive components
• Industrial fasteners
• Consumer products
• Machine parts

While the material’s effectiveness may vary based on the given environmental conditions, its versatility ensures it can meet the demands of many industries.

Delrin^®: High-Performance Acetal Resin

Delrin^® is a type of polyoxymethylene (POM). This material is widely valued for its stiffness and high dimensional stability. Unlike nylon, Delrin^® resists moisture absorption, allowing it to maintain its shape and mechanical properties over time. This makes it an excellent choice for precision parts that require steady performance.

Delrin^® also features a low-friction surface, which allows it to operate smoothly in sliding or rotational mechanisms. This property expands its potential uses to industries where precision and reliability are paramount.

Chemical Resistance

Delrin^® resists most solvents, oils, fuels, and weak acids. However, it may be affected by exposure to strong acids. This chemical resistance makes it a preferred material for environments where contact with corrosive substances is common.

Best Applications

Delrin^® is an ideal material for the following applications:

• Bearings
• Pulleys
• Conveyor belts
• Fuel system components
• Medical devices
• Electrical insulation

Its ability to withstand chemical exposure and maintain dimensional stability under consistent loads makes it a standout choice for demanding environments.

Comparing the Two: Nylon vs. Delrin^®

When comparing nylon and Delrin^®, both materials bring distinct advantages. On the one hand, nylon’s flexibility and impact resistance make it ideal for load-bearing components like sheaves, gears, and bushings. However, its susceptibility to moisture absorption can compromise its performance in humid conditions.

Conversely, Delrin^® offers superior rigidity, dimensional stability, and low friction, which is essential for precision parts like bearings and pulleys. Additionally, its higher chemical resistance allows it to perform reliably in chemically intensive environments.

Mechanical Properties Overview

Choose the Right Material for Your Needs at W.S. Hampshire

Choosing whether you need nylon or Delrin^® ultimately depends on your specific application’s needs. For components requiring flexibility, shock absorption, and wear resistance, nylon is an excellent choice. If your application demands dimensional stability, low friction, and chemical resistance, Delrin^® is likely a better option.

W.S. Hampshire, Inc. provides high-quality materials tailored to your project’s needs. Our team of experts can guide you in selecting the best plastic for your application, whether that’s nylon, Delrin^®, or another advanced material. You can trust us to deliver durable and reliable solutions that meet the demands of your industry.

Contact us today to find the perfect material for your next project.

Understanding CNC Machining Tolerances to Maximize quality, reduce cost, and navigate design challenges

Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, is credited with the concept of interchangeable parts. During a presentation to the United States Congress in 1801, he illustrated how all of the components needed for an assembly should be produced according to a set of exacting standards— in other words, to specific dimensions and tolerances—thus ensuring that the firing pin or gun barrel from one musket will fit into any other musket. His idea helped pave the way for the Second Industrial Revolution and what became known as the American System of Manufacturing, which has the standard method of part design and print for almost two centuries.

Although the concepts of component interchangeability and dimensional tolerancing have since become an accepted part of manufacturing, unfortunately, the lack of understanding and proper use of dimensional tolerancing can cause many problems. For instance, an overly stringent tolerance might require that parts go to a secondary operation and/or extra “finishing” passes, unnecessarily increasing costs and lead-time. Tolerances that are “too loose” or that aren’t in line with those of mating parts can make assembly difficult if not impossible, leading to required rework, or in the worst case, making the finished product unusable.

To help avoid these unpleasant situations, this design tip includes some guidelines on how to properly apply part tolerances, along with a few definitions of the more commonly used callouts.

The World of Engineering Thermoplastic and Thermoset Materials – How They Differ From Metals

First, it is important to understand that, unlike metals and ceramics, with engineering thermoplastics the property-determining particles are not atoms, atomic cores and ions, but organic macromolecules, and this differs greatly as compared to the lattice structure of metals.

These macromolecules can also differ within a plastic in terms of their size and chemical structure, meaning that these factors exert a far wider influence on the properties of the material as compared to metals. Most plastics are termed “semi-crystalline”, meaning they have both crystalline and amorphous structures within the material. Such a complex structure enhances some properties (such as impact resistance), but always results in compromises in material stability as compared to metals.

As a result of these differences, plastics offer lower dimensional stability in comparison to more historically specified

• Non-metallics have higher coefficient of thermal expansion, lower rigidity and greater elasticity
• The moisture absorbing properties of plastics, which can result in phenomena such as swelling of the material and the respective dimensions, also have a determining role to play (particularly in the case of polyamides [nylons]).

Combined, these attributes add to the difficulty of adhering to very tightly specified tolerances during machining, in shipment and in storage. Therefore, proper storage of engineering thermoplastic components over a long period of time (especially in summer months) is required to maintain the dimensions achieved during machining. High heat (over 80F), especially combined with high humidity, is to be avoided.

To a lesser extent, this is also true of thermoset materials – the various “phenolic” formulations. The fabric or fiberglass matrix makes these more stable than thermoplastics, but still less than metals.

The recommended guideline to use when determining machining tolerances is a minimum of 0.2% of the nominal value (Tighter tolerances are achievable when using very stable and fiber-reinforced composite materials).

Standardized Tolerances for CNC Machining

At WS HAMPSHIRE, our standard machining tolerance is +/- 0.005 in. (0.13mm) on standard L/W/T dimensions. Hole locations and other critical dimensions can be held more closely. This means any part feature’s location, width, length, thickness, or diameter will not deviate by more than this amount from nominal. For example, the 1 in. (25.4mm)-wide bracket you’re planning to order will measure between 0.995 and 1.005 in. (25.273 and 25.527mm) across, while the 0.25 in. (6.35mm) hole on one leg of that bracket will come in at 0.245 to 0.255 in. (6.223 to 6.477mm) diameter.

When specifying feature locations, be sure to reference the datums, or “start measuring from here”, points. This is usually from one or more edges, making clear where the centering point of a given feature needs to be located.

Something that usually helps in those discussions is sending us an assembly drawing, and/or drawing of mating parts. This allows cross-reference and can prevent “tolerance creep”, which is where individual tolerances all tend to one side which can hinder part alignment, especially at attachment points.

Tolerancing Guidelines for CNC Machining

Also, be aware that these are bilateral tolerances. If expressed in unilateral terms, the standard tolerance would read +0.000/- 0.010 in. (or +0.010/- 0.000 in.) while a limit-based tolerance in our bracket example would be 1.005 / 0.995 in.

All are acceptable, as are metric values, provided that you spell them out on the design. And to avoid confusion, please stick with one system and use “three place” dimensions and tolerances, avoiding the extra zero in 1.0000 or 0.2500 in. unless there’s an overriding reason to do so, which may require further discussion.

Surface Roughness Considerations for Machining Tolerances

There’s more to part tolerancing than length, width, hole size, etc. There’s also surface roughness, which in the standard offering is equal to 63 µ in. for flat and perpendicular surfaces, and for curved surfaces, 125 µ in. or better.

This is an adequate finish for most uses, but for cosmetic surfaces on certain parts, we’re generally able to improve appearance through adjusting the feeds and speeds of the equipment. For wear surfaces, the material will smooth out during operation. If aesthetics are important, that needs to be specified on the print and understood (samples always help!)

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Here’s another consideration. As mentioned earlier, we can accept GD&T tolerancing. This provides a deeper level of quality control that includes relationships between various part features as well as form and fit qualifiers. Below are a few of the more common ones:

• True position: In the bracket example cited earlier, we called out the hole location by specifying X and Y distances and their allowable deviation from a pair of perpendicular part edges.
• Flatness: Milled surfaces are generally quite flat, but due to internal material stress or clamping forces during the machining process, some warpage can occur once the part has been removed from the machine, especially on thin-walled plastic parts. A reasonable GD&T flatness tolerance controls this by defining two parallel planes within which a milled surface must lie.
• Cylindricity: For the same reasons that most milled surfaces are quite flat, most holes are quite round, as are turned surfaces. However, using a +/- 0.005 in. (0.127mm) tolerance, the 0.25 in. (6.35mm) hole in the bracket example could potentially be oblong, measuring 0.245 in. (6.223mm) one way and 0.255 in. (6.477mm) the other. Using cylindricity—defined as two concentric cylinders inside of which the machined hole must lie—manufacturers eliminate this unlikely situation.
  • (NOTE – due to composites higher coefficient of linear thermal expansion, sometimes a slight “slot” is preferred as it allows part movement without buckling)
• Concentricity: The rings on a bullseye are concentric, just as the wheels on your car are concentric to the axle. If a drilled or reamed hole must run perfectly true to a coaxial counterbore or circular boss, a concentricity callout is the best way to assure this.
• Perpendicularity: As its name implies, perpendicularity determines the maximum deviation of a horizontal machined surface to a nearby vertical surface.

There are additional considerations to GD&T, including parallelism, straightness, profile, and angularity, all of which should be indicated on the print. Again – composites are less rigid than metals, and slight irregularities will conform to the mating surfaces, so avoid using “metal-think” when specifying these additional features.

Summary

• Remember that composites are less structurally stable than metals, which requires composite-specific tolerancing but also allows for greater conformability with mating parts
• Don’t over-specify tolerances that aren’t actually required, it adds cost rather than functionality
• Fine-tuning tolerance dimensions in your designs for CNC machined parts can help maximize those parts’ quality and reduce cost

We at WS HAMPSHIRE are happy to discuss appropriate part dimensioning, as well as material alternatives and other design considerations with your design team – with over 125 years of non-metallic manufacturing experience, we can help! Give us a call!

What Is FRP Material?

Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) is a composite material characterized by its robustness and versatility. It is an important material in numerous construction and civil engineering applications, including electrical insulation, structural components, bearing and wear applications, and metal substitutes. To see if it’s the right material for your project, learn more about the characteristics of FRP material and how it is made.

FRP Material Characteristics

FRP is a composite material that consists of a polymer matrix and reinforcing fibers, typically glass or carbon. This unique blend offers an effective alternative to traditional materials like wood, steel, or aluminum, which can degrade over time. FRP is renowned for its strength, lightweight nature, and corrosion resistance, making it a prime choice for many applications.

FRP material offers an impressive array of features that cater to a wide range of industrial needs:

• Corrosion resistance: This makes FRP perfect for harsh environmental conditions.
• High strength-to-weight ratio: FRP is ideal for applications requiring durability without the added weight.
• Parts consolidation and design flexibility: Because of its strength, lightness, low thermal conductivity, and other properties, FRP can replace multiple materials and fasteners in an assembly, improving design flexibility.
• Radar transparency: Glass-fiber-reinforced plastics are transparent to radar equipment, so they are often used in enclosures or canopies to hide communications devices in buildings.
• Fire characteristics: FRP can be engineered to meet various fire codes in building construction.
• Non-conductivity: FRP made with glass fibers are non-conductive and often used as electrical insulation.
• Dimensional stability: Many FRP materials can be engineered to have a zero coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning they will not expand or contract as the temperature changes.
• Production repeatability: FRP products have good consistency across high-volume production runs.
• Customizable appearance: The composite material can be designed to meet any aesthetic requirement.

How Is FRP Material Made?

FRP is made through pultrusion, which melds raw fibers and resin to forge a composite with the strength of steel but without the high weight. The pultrusion process is as follows:

1. Material selection: First, the appropriate fibers and resin are selected. The choice depends on the application’s requirements, like strength, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and thermal insulation. Fibers could be glass, carbon, or aramid, each offering distinct properties to the composite. The resin, acting as the matrix, could be polyester, vinyl ester, or epoxy, based on the environmental resistance required and the mechanical properties desired.
2. Mold or tool preparation: A mold or tool must be prepared. This step is crucial as it defines the FRP’s dimensions, shape, and surface finish. Molds can be made from metal, composite, or plastic, and they must be cleaned and coated to prepare for resin infusion.
3. Layup or preform process: During this stage, the fibers are laid out or pre-formed according to the direction and orientation needed for optimal strength and performance in the final product.
4. Infusion: The laid-out fibers are infused with resin, ensuring every fiber is thoroughly saturated. This process is critical for creating a cohesive and uniform material where the resin matrix supports the fibers, providing strength and durability.
5. Curing: After the fibers are infused with resin, the composite needs to be cured—a process that solidifies the resin, binding the fibers into a solid mass. This step can occur at room temperature or be accelerated using heat. The curing process transforms the soft and malleable resin-fiber mixture into a rigid and sturdy material that retains its shape under physical stress.
6. Finishing: The final stage involves applying the necessary finishes to the FRP, like trimming, drilling, painting, or coating for aesthetic purposes or additional protection. This process guarantees the FRP meets the specific requirements for its use.

FRP From WS Hampshire

FRP offers a unique blend of strength, versatility, and durability. Its unique characteristics make it an ideal choice for many applications, from infrastructure projects to innovative designs in the automotive industry. With over 100 years in the nonmetallic materials fabrication industry, WS Hampshire is a leading provider of FRP materials, Ryertex^® and EXTREN^® product lines.

Contact us or request a quote to discover how our expertise and products can meet your specific needs.

What Are Thermoset Materials?

Thermosets are insoluble, polymer-based materials with high-temperature melting points. Typically possessing superior strength compared to that of thermoplastics, thermoset materials undergo a chemical reaction at a certain temperature and reach a solid state upon curing. From that point on, the properties of these synthetic composites are “set,” resulting in materials that are unlikely to deform or degrade.

Thermosets have a strong structure of interconnected molecules; upon heating, these molecules develop irreversible bonds. Should you reheat thermoset plastics, they will char or burn rather than melt or take on their original characteristics. While this prevents remolding, it lends a high degree of mechanical strength to components with thermoset construction. Learn more about these materials, their properties, and potential applications.

Thermoset Materials

When selecting the right thermoset composite materials for your project, there are multiple high-performance options to choose from. Common examples of thermosetting materials include the use of the following:

Thermoset Properties

Thermoset materials have many advantageous properties that make them ideal for widespread applications. These properties include:

• Superior mechanical strength. Thermosetting plastic materials typically feature enhanced mechanical properties. Their beneficial stiffness along with their high compressive and tensile strength lend these materials to applications requiring load-bearing or structural components.
• Lasting dimensional stability. Thermosets retain a consistent size and shape after curing, keeping them dimensionally stable for use in applications necessitating precise manufacturing and engineering.
• Resistance to high temperatures. One of the main benefits of thermoset plastics is their thermal resistance capabilities under high temperature exposure. They won’t soften or otherwise deform, which is particularly helpful for electronic and automotive applications that experience high heat.
• Resistance to chemicals. Thermoset plastic materials often possess high chemical resistance, allowing them to withstand corrosion even when they come into direct contact with such substances.
• Being electrically insulative. Many electrical applications use these materials to provide sufficient component insulation and protection. They help prevent arcing and keep the flow of electrical current from where it’s not intended to be. In applications like power lines and transformers, thermosets can reduce the risk of fires.

Applications of Thermoset Materials

Thermoset materials have a wide range of applications across diverse industries. Some common examples include the following:

• Aerospace. Lighter air- and spacecraft perform better and use less fuel. Lightweight yet strong, thermosets are an optimal choice for manufacturing aerospace components.
• Automotive. Brake pads, engine parts, and exterior chassis components often utilize thermoset materials because of their superior durability and ability to withstand high temperatures.
• Construction. Adhesives, coatings, and composite reinforcements are among the different types of construction materials made with thermoset plastics. These applications benefit from the durable materials’ resistance to corrosive chemicals and heat.
• Electronics. Electronic circuits and parts rely on thermoset materials for protection and insulation, keeping equipment consistently safe from moisture and heat buildup.
• Healthcare. Thermoset materials are typically biocompatible, making lasting medical implants and devices that won’t react when they come into contact with the human body.
• Sports equipment. Anything from bicycle frames to golf clubs can benefit from thermoset plastics’ good strength-to-weight ratio and wear resistance.
• Heavy Industry. Bearings, Bushings, Structural & Wear Components. Replaces traditionally used metals like steel, brass, bronze.

Thermoset Materials and Components From WS Hampshire

The right thermoset material will offer high-quality fabrication solutions for your product, resisting heat, chemical corrosion, and general wear. At WS Hampshire, we specialize in the custom fabrication of Ryertex Thermosets and Timco Technical Thermoplastics for industrial applications. Our Ryertex brand of thermosets consists of multiple fiber-reinforced plastic composite options. Since their introduction in the 1930s, these materials have been particularly helpful as electrical insulators and in high-temperature, -speed, or -load applications as an alternative to metal components for resisting wear.

Since the 1890s, WS Hampshire has combined innovative and reliable non-metallic materials, our team’s technical expertise, and a suite of comprehensive services to deliver valuable solutions and high-quality components to our customers. It’s our goal to help you reduce operational downtime and costs. Contact us today to learn more about our thermoset material options and our production capabilities for supporting your unique operation.

What Is an Industrial Laminate?

Industrial laminates are used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. WS Hampshire specializes in laminate fabrication, and our Ryertex^® composite laminates and TIMCO Technical Plastics brands are known as the best in the industry. From electrical circuit boards and structural panels to bearings, bushings, and wear parts, our industrial laminates deliver reliable performance across diverse industries.

Overview of Industrial Laminates

Industrial laminates are created by stacking multiple layers of materials, typically with a decorative layer on top and a supportive substrate on the bottom. The middle layers may be fabric, paper, or glass fibers bonded together with high-quality thermosetting resins. By combining specific substrates and resins, you can produce properties that aren’t present in the individual substrates or resins alone.

The resulting sheet material is durable and features high mechanical strength, electrical insulation, machinability, and more. The materials used to create the industrial laminate vary by application and the associated demands placed upon the thermoset composite. These applications include:

• Bearings
• Electrical transformers
• Fixtures
• Gears
• Jigs
• Thermal breaks

Benefits of Industrial Laminates

Industrial laminates are trusted because of their unique and customizable characteristics. With the right combination of phenolic, melamine, silicone, or epoxy resin and substrates like canvas, paper, linen, aramid, or fiberglass, you can customize your laminate solution to fit the specific demands of the application. When aesthetics matter, the laminate can include a decorative top layer. Other benefits include:

• Durability: Industrial laminates can withstand heavy use without deforming or showing signs of wear. They’re lightweight relative to their strength.
• Chemical Resistance: Certain laminates can be safely and reliably used in environments where they’re exposed to chemicals.
• Impact Resistance: Industrial laminates are known for their impact resistance and are commonly applications such as steel rolling mills.
• Machinability: Industrial laminates are easy to work with and are easily machined to suit specific applications and environments.
• Electrical Insulation: This prized characteristic makes industrial laminates suitable for a range of electromechanical applications.

Ryertex Industrial Laminates

Originally known as Bakelite, Ryertex is a group of phenolic thermoset laminate products that were first developed in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. Ryertex has evolved over the years and is now used in everything from electronics to heavy equipment. Traditional applications using Ryertex include buttons, frying pan handles, and telephone mouthpieces. Today, the Ryertex^® family of fiber-reinforced plastic composites include a variety of substrate and resin combinations for mechanical, electrical, and heavy industrial applications like bearings, wear liners, structural components, and electrical insulation.

We also offer other phenolic composite materials, such as Arboron, Resiten, TOPLAB^® PLUS, TOPLAB^® BASE, TOPLAB^® VERTICAL, and Virtuon^® sheets.

Rely on WS Hampshire for Industrial Laminate Fabrication

As a custom fabricator of industrial laminate composites, WS Hampshire has worked with companies in a variety of industries, including paper and lumber processing, oil and gas, forestry, wire and cable, mining equipment, material handling, food and beverage packaging and processing, and more. We have global access to raw materials, and with our extensive capabilities, there is no limit to the sizes, shapes, quantities, and materials that we can produce. We’re here to help with your most complex challenges.

Contact us today to learn more about industrial laminate fabrication, or request a quote for your project.

What is Aeroponics?

Aeroponics is a technique used for indoor cultivation in a controlled environment.  There is no growing media like soil or coco and the water tanks so well known in hydroponics are eliminated.  In aeroponics, plant roots are suspended in air and fed directly by a nutrient rich water mist.  Because there is no media, plants do not expel energy searching for oxygen and nutrients, which means that grow faster and with higher yields than in other methods.  The use of mister systems allows for reduction in water consumption of up to 95%.

Aeroponics was greatly advanced by NASA in the 19990’s for growing in space and is now extremely common for growing vegetables in urban environments.  The technique has long been used in the Clone stage of cannabis cultivation and is now becoming commonplace through the Veg and Flower stages.  High levels of grower control, the ability to grow vertically, and massive reductions in water consumption make aeroponics highly favorable.

You can learn more on this page or this episode of cannacribs.

Electrical Insulation

Electrical insulating materials from WS Hampshire take many forms and serve a wide range of application.  From polyester film used in the lighting industry, to corrugated vulcanized fiber in large transformers, to high temperature composites in the electric arc furnace of a modern steel mill.  Our extensive capabilities allow us to slit, roll, punch, form or CNC machine insulating materials into parts per your specifications.

Contact us today to learn more about how our material and fabrication expertise can help you and your team.