BDE-Materials

A study by Dr. Tom Mackay of the University of Edinburgh and Professor Akhlesh Lakhtakia of Penn State may solve one of the great challenges in optics and electromagnetics.

Some degree of compromise is almost always necessary in designing plastic parts.

Available both as thermoplastic and thermoset resins, polyimides (Pls) are a family of some of the most heat and fire-resistant polymers known.

ThermoplasticsStarting with billions of molecules of monomer in a reactor, heat and pressure are applied in the presence of catalysts, causing one of the monomer double bonds to rearrange into two "half-bonds," one at each end.

Specifying powder-metallurgy (P/M) parts and their consolidation process used to be a simple process: Design the part, select the metal powders and lubricants that provide the required properties, compact the powders into a briquette, and sinter the briquette into its finished form.

Polyetherimide (PEI) is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic characterized by high heat resistance, high strength and modLilus, excellent electrical properties that remain stable over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies, and excellent processibility.

Precious metals may seem unlikely as engineering materials, but the same expensive metals used for coinage and jewelry also satisfy applications requiring the ultimate in corrosion resistance or electrical conductivity.

Among structural metals, beryllium has a unique combination of properties.

Specific properties that separate engineering films from their commodity counterparts include greater tensile and impact strength; improved moisture and gas barrier characteristics; good heat resistance and weatherability; better bonding and lamination; and improved electrical ratings.

Polymeric coatings designed for corrosion protection are usually tougher and are applied in heavier films than are appearance coatings.

Melamine and urea are the principal commercial thermosetting polymers called aminos.

Nylons (polyamides), the first of the thermoplastic engineering resins, were developed originally as high-strength textile These semicrystalline plastics are le in compositions for molding and extrudding, for solution and fluidized-bed gs, and for casting.

The major attraction of structural ceramics has always been the capability of operating at temperatures far above those of metals.