Part performance is critical in all applications – but crucial in fastening solutions. When it comes to plastic fasteners, thermal stability is typically evaluated by measuring the material’s percent tensile strength retention after aging. In automotive, specifications then set limits - such as greater than 50% or 75% retention of tensile strength after aging – to determine suitability of the material for a given application. It’s all standard and well-established – so why is it that fasteners often still struggle to maintain performance over time and temperature ..read more

Moisture is both necessary in and potentially detrimental to nylon applications. The effects of under-drying nylon can lead to degradation of the material, and ultimately, poor part performance. Similarly, over-drying nylon increases polymer viscosity and slows nylon flow. Both interfere with optimum processing and performance of nylon ..read more

Complex applications can lead to unanticipated — and often complicated — injection molding issues. To head off potential problems OEMs turn to plastic materials suppliers for advice on materials selection, design improvements, and processing best practices. Leveraging the in-depth materials expertise of a supplier is a wise and important connection to make. However, reaching out to your supplier for a materials correction after a defect is found or a production run is ruined could be a costly delay. Instead, consider the benefits of looping a supplier into the project from the outset ..read more

Unlike most other polymers, nylon is extremely sensitive to moisture. Finding the appropriate balance between too much and too little is essential, yet the need is often overlooked — a leading cause of nylon processing issues and part defects. Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water. In nylon-based compounds this can adversely affect process conditions and can result in poor product performance. Understanding the basics and the nuances of this chemical reaction between nylon and water goes a long way to eliminating the risk in your nylon-based application ..read more

The word “corrosion” is inextricably linked to metals. The all too familiar resulting rust is an eyesore at best and a safety hazard at worst. In some instances, plastics are considered a logical workaround since they don’t rust; but, there’s another truth that cannot be ignored: plastics also corrode ..read more

Electrical and electronics devices have become smaller and more powerful. As a result, engineering thermoplastics (ETPs) are the go-to solutions for thin-wall applications that accommodate compact size, performance, and space requirements. Applications in electric vehicles (EV) are a prime example of the necessity to transition to thinner-walled parts. Components like connectors, sensors, enclosures, and battery packs are placed into increasingly restricted spaces and asked to produce more power for faster, more efficient charging. The proximity, heat, and often continuous-use cycles elevate ..read more

Regardless of industry, plastic components must perform safely and reliably. As space and weight limitations continue to encroach upon how these critical goals are met in electrification, OEMs need to find innovative solutions made from equally innovative materials ..read more

“Lightweighting” as a term, concept, and practice gained popularity in recent years with the imposition of and debate around the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.1  Although introduced in 1975 as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, subsequent CAFE modifications that placed stringent miles-per-gallon and emissions mandates on different vehicle classes gave the auto industry pause.2 How were manufacturers going to achieve CAFE goals that, for example, required all light duty vehicles to consume fuel nearly 40 ..read more

Fatigue testing is a well-established process, but accurate results depend on strict attention to detail. Random selection of materials, test bar unit cells, and cutting methodology could skew results and put your application at risk of failure. In this second of our two-part fatigue testing series we explore how these key aspects of fatigue testing influence outcomes — and why it’s important to partner with an experienced supplier to leverage advanced testing and engineering plastics ..read more

The origins of fatigue testing date back as far as 1838, when German mining administrator Wilhelm Albert penned the first known paper on metal fatigue based on his mine hoist chain failure observations.1 ..read more