Released on = March 11, 2006, 1:36 am

Press Release Author = ECC/Detectamet

Industry = Food & Beverage

Press Release Summary = Metal Detectable Plastic for Engineering Applications

Press Release Body = E-Components & Chains Limited of Pocklington (UK) are pleased
to announce the launch of their very own Detectamet/Detecta-thane
Metal Detectable
Detectamet/Detecta-thane" is a metal detectable general purpose compound having
good mechanical properties. Features include good heat stability inside temperature
range, high impact resistance, excellent abrasion resistance, tough & durable,
supplied in specific colour; Blue.
Hardness
Detectamet/Detecta-thane is supplied in a range of hardnesses from 25° Shore A which
is softer than a pencil rubber or an elastic band to 84° Shore D which is harder
than a golf ball.The table below gives some guidance as to these hardness ranges.
Compression
When load is applied to a Detectamet/Detecta-thane it deflects but unrestrained
surfaces bulge in sympathy. This is because Detectamet/Detecta-thane is
incompressible and acts like a fluid capable of changing its shape to the limit of
its strength under load. Strictly speaking this is not compression but nevertheless
it is the term used in elastomer technology. Detectamet/Detecta-thane has a higher
load bearing capacity than that of more conventional elastomers for the same
hardness. This characteristic permits greater design choices and usually allows the
use of smaller components. ECC/Detectamet can offer guidance on polymer selection
and provide indicative load and deflection figures for most compression
applications.
Tension
Tensile strength and associated elongation are usually measured as part of material
and process control regimes. It is rare that elastomers are used in tension and then
only at a small fractlon of thelr ultimate strength. Even so
Detectamet/Detecta-thane has much higher tensile strengths than conventional
elastomers.
Resilience
While resilience is generally a function of hardness in conventional elastomers,
this is not true of Detectamet/Detecta-thane. Detectamet/Detecta-thane can be
formulated to give a wide range of resilience values. An added benefit is that the
resilience changes very little between 10°C and 100°C giving more consistent
performance in a variable environment.
Abrasion
When compared to rubber, plastics and metals Detectamet/Detecta-thane offers
outstanding resistance to wear giving many times the life span of these conventional
materials. Detectamet/Detecta-thane can be tailored to suit sliding and impingement
abrasion and has a well deserved reputation for its durability.
Temperature
Detectamet/Detecta-thane will provide excellent service in cold stores and Arctic
conditions. Physical properties change little down to -15°C, and while further
reductions in temperature result in a gradual stiffening, Detectamet/Detecta-thane
is still quite serviceable at -70°C. At higher temperatures Detectamet/Detecta-thane
will provide good service up to 90°C and is suitable for intermittent use at 120°C.
Beyond these temperatures, specially formulated materials are needed.
Water Resistance
Selected grades of Detectamet/Detecta-thanes are suitable for use in water at up to
50°C. Water absorption is very low and volume swell is negligible. This means that
precise components can be used safely in water without fear of size changes
affecting performance. High humidity has little effect on Detectamet/Detecta-thanes
and a secondary benefit is that these elastomers do not support fungus growth and
are generally resistant to such attack. This makes Detectamet/Detecta-thanes
mouldings particularly suitable for tropical environments.
Mechanical Properties
At low hardnesses all elastomers, Detectamet/Detecta-thane included, merely bend
under impact. As hardness rises elastomers and plastics demonstrate a tendency to
brittleness and crack under impact. Detectamet/Detecta-thane has significantly
better impact resistance than any material of comparable hardness.
Detectamet/Detecta-thane will resist cracking under repeated flexing. Selection of
the appropriate grade will allow extremely high life spans, with tests proving that
in excess of 1,000,000 cycles is common place. Detectamet/Detectathane will also
show excellent resistance to cut propagation and can be used in very thin sections
because of its exceptional strength and toughness.
Friction
Detectamet/Detecta-thane resembles most other elastomers in that friction decreases
as hardness rises. The coefficient of friction against non-Iubricated surfaces
ranges from 0.2 (hard polymers) to 0.6 (soft polymers).
Machineability
It is possible to machine most grades of Detctamet/Detecta-thane. The harder grades
can be processed on most conventional machine tools, while softer compounds need to
be ground or cut with very sharp tools.
Electrical Properties
Detectamet/Detecta-thane generally has very good insulating properties and can be
used for potting and encapsulation. It is also an excellent material for mounting
conductive rails, particularly outside, where it not only provides good insulation
but also does not deteriorate.
Noise
The combination of compressive and flex characteristics make
Detectamet/Detecta-thane ideal for breaking noise transmission paths. It makes
superb heavy duty machine mounts.

Applications: Wearstrips, Guide Blocks, Impact Bars, Gaskets, Conveyor Skirting,
Roller Coverings, Scrapers, General Engineering Applications, Liners, etc.etc.

For More Information contact ECC/Detectamet:

www.ecc-ltd.co.uk or www.detectamet.com
email eccltd@aol.com
tel 0044 (0) 1759 304200
fax 0044 (0) 1759 305236


Web Site = http://www.detectamet.com

Contact Details = UNIT2A HAMPDEN ROAD
POCKLINGTON
YORK
UK
TEL 0044 (0) 1759 304200
FAX 0044 (0) 1759 305236
EMAIL detectamet@aol.com