Advanced Performance ElastomersMaterial Guide
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WHAT ARE POLYMERS?
Polymers are long string organic molecules formed from many covalently bonded monomers. They are typically subdivided into two classifications: thermosets and thermoplastics.
THERMOSET vs THERMOPLASTIC:
Thermoplastic - A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material is processed by heating it above its melting temperature and molding it to the desired shape in its liquid form. Once cooled, it will return to its solid form. Thermoplastic materials are able to be reprocessed an unlimited number of times without significantly affecting the materials properties.
Thermoset - Once compounded, irreversible cross-linking occurs during the curing (hardening) process, resulting in a new material that did not previously exist in the liquid state. This new material cannot be remelted or liquefied without breaking down the molecular bonds and deteriorate the polymer. Thermoset materials maintain superior performance, mechanical properties, chemical resistance and durability, and will outperform most thermoplastics.
WHICH POLYMER SHOULD I CHOOSE?
POLYURETHANE DUROMETER CHART
A durometer is a device used for measuring the hardness of materials. The Shore scale, created by Albert F. Shore in the 1920's, is the most common durometer scale used for reference with polymers, plastics and rubbers. While extending much higher than referenced in the chart to the right, Archos LLC specializes in cast urethane in the Shore OOO to Shore A range. The Shore OOO scale, the lowest of the scales, references only the softest of materials such as foams and soft polymers with a feel similar to that of a marshmallow. The Shore OOO materials are typically encountered in cushioning applications. The materials increase in hardness as you proceed right on the chart to the Shore OO and subsequently to the Shore A scale. The most common products with hardness in the Shore OO scale are often found in foot care and vibration damping applications. The Shore A scale, the hardest of the three, is where rubber, neoprene, and silicone naturally fall and is often found in applications requiring toughness and wear resistance.
POLYURETHANE DUROMETER CHART
A durometer is a device used for measuring the hardness of materials. The Shore scale, created by Albert F. Shore in the 1920's, is the most common durometer scale used for reference with polymers, plastics and rubbers. While extending much higher than referenced in the chart to the right, Archos LLC specializes in cast urethane in the Shore OOO to Shore A range. The Shore OOO scale, the lowest of the scales, references only the softest of materials such as foams and soft polymers with a feel similar to that of a marshmallow. The Shore OOO materials are typically encountered in cushioning applications. The materials increase in hardness as you proceed right on the chart to the Shore OO and subsequently to the Shore A scale. The most common products with hardness in the Shore OO scale are often found in foot care and vibration damping applications. The Shore A scale, the hardest of the three, is where rubber, neoprene, and silicone naturally fall and is often found in applications requiring toughness and wear resistance. 
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| Archos LLC 155 North Isabella Street Saxonburg, PA 16056 Sales@Archos-LLC.com |
Phone: 724.935.3580
Fax: 928.223.3580 |
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