Engineers are tasked with selecting the perfect material for your gasket application. Each part must be able to withstand the task at hand, including operating temperature and being flexible enough to maintain a proper seal throughout the process. 

As we discussed in our last blog, engineers historically chose asbestos because it served a myriad of important functions; it was durable, able to handle high temperatures and parts-handling, and relatively affordable. Unfortunately, it was also linked to mesothelioma, an invasive and often fatal type of lung cancer. Once it was pulled off the market, workers had to find an alternative for their gasket solutions.

As the engineer responsible for ensuring the performance and safety of sealing components, there can be quite a lot of pressure riding on making the proper material selection for a specific application. Before you even begin to think about installing and testing a new gasket, you are tasked with the critical responsibility of selecting a material that is compatible with the surrounding environment, can withstand the operating temperature and pressure, and is flexible enough to achieve a proper seal.

Brandonite^® is a patented family of composite materials, specifically composite polymers, designed to replace metal, plastic, or rubber.  This family of composite materials is perfect for a broad number of applications, such as:

• aerospace
• aeronautics
• industrial manufacturing
• self-lubricating parts and materials
• automation equipment
• radiation shielding
• antimicrobial medical devices,
• coverings, and prosthetics

Plastics — Used in Every Walk of Life

Plastics, composites, and engineered materials are used for everything from:

• Packaging to keep food fresh and frozen food free from freezer-burn
• Construction materials
• The hulls of aeronautical vehicles
• Gaskets for HVAC applications
• Light-weight automobiles
• Medical devices, prosthetics, and biomed innovations

The Amazing Mr. Fantastic is a Thermoplastic

Thermoplastic polymers become pliable or mold-able when raised to a rather high, but very specific temperature and solidify upon cooling. The forces holding the molecules together in a thermoplastic, the inter-molecular bonds, weaken when the right amount of heat is applied.  The molecules of the plastic stretch further away from each other, like beads on an elastic charm bracelet or the metallic links on an elastic watchband, making the material softer and more pliable.  Add enough heat and the material melts into a liquid that can be used in injection-molding, compression molding, calendaring, and extrusion.

Like invisible aliens crawling over craggy terrain, microbes are everywhere indeed. As such, a plethora of antimicrobial and antibacterial advanced materials have hit the market. Globe Composite has the perfect solution. Globe has developed a family of high-strength, injection-molded, reinforced thermoplastic materials, Brandonite^® 9012, for medical and food service use.

What is a Stationary Diverter Arm?

A stationary diverter arm is used in automatic sorting systems for parcels, packages, boxes, or other items to change the object's direction or orientation on the conveyor belt.  They can be used to redirect packages or parcels at any point on a conveyor easily and without the need for automated assistance or manned supervision.

What is a Jam Break Tool?

Although it looks like a shepherd's hook, you won't see Bo Peep carrying one tending her flock.  A Jam Break Tool is used for dislodging items or parcels that may have become jammed or lodged in sorting systems. Jam Break Tools can be attached to poles of varying lengths to grab packages from just about anywhere and easily free it from the system.

Technically, No…

What Does Self-Lubricating Mean?

Self-lubrication by definition means that the lubricating agent must be an integral element of the original material.  The lubricating agent can't be a material added on or attached to the original material.  It can't break down and must be a part of the original material for the part's life's expectancy. One of our most popular self-lubricating products is the our Globe impeller, or the Run-Dry^® Impeller.