Scientific, Analytical, and Process Control Instrumentation

Plastic materials for demanding applications

Curbell Plastics supplies plastic sheet, rod, tubing, film, and fabricated plastic parts that are engineered to perform in demanding scientific and analytical equipment applications. Our high performance plastics are available in formulations that have the following characteristics.

Typical applications for plastics in scientific and analytical equipment include:

  • Accelerator components
  • Animal cages
  • Bearings and bushings
  • Centrifuge parts
  • Chromatography parts
  • Cryogenic equipment components
  • Electrical insulators
  • Electrophoresis equipment parts
  • Ferrules
  • Flow meters
  • Fume hoods
  • Glove boxes
  • Guards and windows
  • Housings
  • Manifolds
  • Mass spectrometer components
  • Microfluidics components
  • NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) components
  • Sample holders
  • Sensor components
  • Tubing
  • Ultrasonic transducer parts
  • Valve seats and seals

 

Plastics for Scientific, Analytical, and Process Control Instrumentation

Clear Ompact Resistant Plastics for Scientific, Analytical, and Process Control Instrumentation

Plastic Materials Typically used in Scientific Test, and Process Control Instrumentation

Acrylic – Transparent plastic for manifolds, splash guards, and windows.

Delrin®/Acetal – Engineering plastic with low friction, good chemical resistance, and outstanding machining characteristics.

Fluoropolymers (PTFE, PVDF, FEP, PFA, ETFE, ECTFE, and PCTFE) – Plastics with high operating temperatures, purity, stain resistance, and radiation resistance.

G-10/FR-4 Glass Epoxy – Rigid and strong composite material with outstanding dimensional stability. 

KYDEX® Thermoplastics – Thermoformable plastic sheet for equipment housings.

High Performance Plastics for Scientific, Analytical, and Process Control InstrumentationPEEK – High performance polymer that can be used at high and low temperatures. Excellent chemical resistance, stain resistance, and radiation resistance. Friction and wear grades have outstanding wear performance.

Polycarbonate – Tough, transparent plastics for machine guards and windows.

Polypropylene – Low cost machinable plastics with excellent chemical resistance. Easy to weld into benches and cabinets.

PVC – Chemically resistant plastic that is easy to fabricate and weld. Can be bonded with adhesives and solvent cements. Used for fume hoods, fluid handling systems, cabinets, and benches.

Torlon® PAI – Strong and stiff high performance polymer that can be used at elevated temperatures. Bearing grades have excellent friction and wear characteristics.

Ultem® PEI – Strong, stiff engineering plastic with outstanding electrical insulating properties. Good resistance to autoclave sterilization. Can be used at elevated temperatures.

DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide – High performance polymer with excellent sealing characteristics. Can be used in extreme temperature environments. Friction and wear grades have outstanding wear properties.

Fabrication and Machining Services

Take advantage of our plastic fabrication and machining services to save time and money on plastic parts. Utilizing in-house capabilities and partnering with fabrication specialists we provide customers with reliable fabrication solutions, machined parts and cut-to-size materials for any application.

Quote your project

Which plastic materials are right for your scientific and analytical application? Contact us today.

With access to the latest materials from high-quality manufacturers — and the expertise to assist with selection and troubleshooting — Curbell Plastics can help you with all of your scientific, analytical, and process control instrumentation application challenges. Our industry-leading technical support and service will help keep your projects on time, and on budget.

Call 1-800-553-0335 | Ask a Plastics Expert | Explore Our Materials


Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have plastics that can operate in the presence of aggressive chemicals?

Curbell supplies a number of plastic materials with broad chemical resistance including polyolefins (HDPE and PP), PEEK, PPS, and fluoropolymers (PTFE, PVDF, FEP, PFA, PCTFE, ETFE, and ECTFE). Detailed chemical resistance information can be found on our chemical resistance chart.

What plastic materials are best for friction and wear applications?

Friction and wear are complex properties. The best polymer formulation for a friction and wear application depends on a number of factors including load, velocity, and operating temperate range, as well as the chemistry and roughness of the mating surfaces. It is also important to consider the mechanism of wear (abrasion, adhesion, rolling contact fatigue, etc.). Work with Curbell to identify candidate materials for a friction and wear application, Ask a Plastics Expert.

Which plastics will maintain purity and not contaminate samples?

Curbell Plastics supplies a number of high purity materials including PEEK, PVDF, FEP, PFA, ETFE, ECTFE, and PCTFE.

Do you have plastics that can be sterilized?

Curbell Plastics supplies a number of plastic materials that can be sterilized via autoclave, ETO, and/or gamma sterilization. PSU, PEEK, Ultem® PEI, and Radel® R PPSU all have good resistance to autoclave sterilization.  Please contact Curbell Plastics for more detailed data on the resistance of plastics to various sterilization methods.