Innovation in materials
GB has a technological laboratory set up to perform tests that meet the most demanding requirements. In recent years, it has also increased its Research and Development activities, collaborating with qualified external laboratories in order to develop innovative materials to guarantee ever-better performing products with characteristics according to customers’ needs and in line with current regulations.
ELASTOMERS
The generic term “elastomer” applies to natural or synthetic substances that have the chemical and physical properties of rubber, such as the capacity to withstand extensive deformation. They can be stretched to various times their own lengths and return to their original shape at rest.
From good to excellent mechanical properties; Resistance to permanent deformation from quite good to excellent; Abrasion resistance from quite good to good.
Mechanical properties from poor to quite good; Excellent resistance to permanent deformation; Rebound elasticity from poor to good.
Mechanical properties (tensile streght and elongation at break) from good to excellent; Excellent resistance to permanent deformation; Poor rebound elasticity; Abrasion resistance from quite good to good; Tear strenght from quite good to good.
Excellent mechanical properties (tensile strenght, elongation at break, tear resistance) even without the use of reinforcing fillers; Resistance to permanent deformation under compression and tension from quite good to very good; Excellent abrasion resistance; Rebound resistance from very good to excellent.
Mechanical properties from good to excellent; Resistance to permanent deformation from fairly good to excellent; Excellent abrasion-resistance; Rebound elasticity from very good to excellent.
Very good mechanical properties; Resistance to permanent deformation not very high; Excellent abrasion resistance; Poor rebound elasticity.
Excellent mechanical properties; Quite good resistance to permanent deformation; Excellent abrasion-resistance; Rebound elasticity from poor to high.
Mechanical properties from very good to excellent; Resistance to permanent deformation from good to excellent; Good abrasion-resistance, rather high in the carboxyl types (XNBR); Rebound elasticity from poor to high.
Quite good mechanical properties; Good resistance to permanent deformation even at high temperatures; Abrasion resistance from poor to quite good; Poor tear strenghtPoor rebound elasticity.
Excellent mechanical properties; Resistance to permanent deformation by compression from poor to very good Excellent resistance to abrasion; Rebound elasticity from poor to high; Tear strength from good to excellent.
Excellent mechanical properties; Excellent resistance to permanent deformation; Excellent abrasion resistance; Good rebound elasticity.
Mechanical properties from poor to quite good; Excellent resistance to permanent deformation; Rebound elasticity from quite good to excellent.
THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS
Thermoplastic polymers are polymers composed of unbound (unreticulated) linear chains or chains characterised by low levels of branching. They can therefore be brought to a viscose state and therefore moulded simply by heating them.
The acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is an amorphous polymer produced by emulsion polymerization or by mass of acrylonitrile and styrene in the presence of polybutadiene. It ‘s a material mainly used in automotive components, ducts for electrical and electronic assemblies.
Polymer polyamide (PA6) semi-crystalline with good general characteristics and excellent cost / performance ratio. Due to the characteristics and cost it is a material used “for general purposes”; widely used in the mechanical gears and simple cams, pulleys, guides and mechanical parts in general. It is not used in contact with food. Because of the absorption of moisture the use in the electrical industry is limited.
Polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) is a resin of higher quality, having higher stiffness, wear resistance and lower water absorption compared to the PA6 and a higher resistance to temperature. However, has a lower impact resistance and alower damping power. The greater rigidity than the PA6 makes it preferable in mechanical engineering when you need this feature, at the expense of shock resistance for gears, cams, pulleys, runners wear, wheelsand mechanical parts in general. It can be used, in some cases, in contact with foods.
FG polymer polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6 FG) is amended with glass fiberin order to increase its workability and to improve the mechanical qualities. It shows, in consequence, a wear resistance and tensile strength among the highest in absolute, it is exceptionally resistant to compression and bending. Excellent dimensional stability, also the mechanical characteristics remain high with temperatures increasing. The material is particularly suitable for the production of gears and mechanical parts to high strength, which can also work in critical environments such as construction sites, or construction equipment without being damaged. It is not used in contact with food.
The polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a thermoplastic polymer that is used as an insulator in the electrical and electronic. Industry the PBT is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer and is part of the family of polyester. The PBT is resistant to solvents, has a slight dimensional shrinkage only in the production phase, is mechanically robust and resistant to heat up to 150 ° C (302 ° F) or 200 ° C (392 ° F) if reinforced with fiberglass.
The polycarbonate (PC) may lend itself to the formulation of compounds in different colors, compact and opaque. The aesthetics of the polycarbonate reaches its highest levels in the range of engineered polymers. Among the major applications of this material we find instead paints and sheets for the automotive, optical and computers for the medical field, packaging for electrical and electronic equipment and lighting products.
Acetal (POM) – It ‘a thermoplastic material which due to its properties often competes with nylon for many of its applications. Acetals can be treated with both the conventional injection and with extrusion techniques. The material is widely used in the automotive industry and consumer electronics. The acetal polymer class (POM) was introduced in 1956 and has obtained the important application because of a good profile of properties. Two types of available acetal are homopolymer and copolymer , slightly different benefits to each. Acetals are available in fiber-reinforced and lubricated molding grades, as well as extruded shapes for machined parts.
The polyester resin (TPE) is a thermoplastic material of medium form normally used in the production of anti-extrusion rings as support to the sealing elements. Compared to other elastomers, the polyester-based materials offer the most consistent performance across the entire operating temperature range, because their properties little change from one extreme to another. Typical applications are automotive and household appliances.
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) – It’s a thermoplastic material used in the manufacture of flexible foam seating, of high elasticity, rigid foam insulation panels, microcellular foam seals and gaskets, wheels filled elastomer bushings for the automotive industry, compounds for electronics, high-performance adhesives, sealants and surface coatings, synthetic fibers, the lower layers of carpets and hard plastic parts.
