Distrupol facilitates metal replacement with latest comparator card

The latest in a series of comparator cards provided by Distrupol, a leading European polymer distributor, technical service and solutions provider, is aimed at facilitating the process of replacing metals with polymers for designers and moulders. Comparing the key parameters of a range of robust polymers suitable for structural components across industries, the card simplifies and speeds up the material selection process and is seen as particularly valuable for those considering the use of polymers for the first time. The metal replacement comparator card and others in the series are available from www.distrupol.com or through the regional Distrupol representatives.

“Polymers are experiencing rapid growth in the replacement of metal structural components, providing valuable new tools for reducing weight and system costs whilst in many cases improving reliability and performance,” says Distrupol polymer engineer Derek Bean. “For example, plastics give greater scope for functions to be integrated into a part than any other material; this feature often allows surprisingly large savings to be made.”

Distrupol offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of robust materials capable of replacing metals in demanding structural applications, including polyesters, acetals and nylons. Targeted at designers and engineers involved in the development and production of components for such applications, the comparator card assists the “fit-for-purpose” material selection.

Materials considered most suitable for metal replacement are qualified on the card according to key parameters, such as flexural properties relative to impact performance, impact relative to elongation properties and both long and short term temperature performance. Because the card embraces all generic polymers, it significantly reduces the time needed in reviewing and comparing separate material data sheets.

Integral to the growth in interest for polymers to replace metal in parts and components is an increase in demand for the technical service and design support provided by Distrupol, intended at unlocking the selected polymer’s full potential. “Whenever structural metals are replaced one shouldn’t just look at the properties of the underlying polymer,” adds Derek Bean. “To produce functional parts in plastic and at the same time save costs, radical design modification is sometimes necessary if the plastic is being used to its full potential when replacing metal. For example through the designing in of ribs it is possible to increase the relative torsional stiffness by up to thirty times that of the underlying polymer.”

Distrupol has substantial experience of working with OEMs and moulders of plastic components, and can provide the necessary technical back up to support them at each stage of the product development process, taking projects from Art-to-Part. The company’s technical assistance ranges from initial design and material selection, through computer modelling and moldflow simulation down to optimising production.