News & Insights

An Informational Brief on Polymer Machining   Most people recognize Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) under the household name “acrylic.” This performance polymer is best known as a shatter-proof alternative to glass. Where transparency, UV stability, colorability and surface hardness are concerned, PMMA is a safe, cost-efficient option. It has good scratch resistance compared to other transparent polymers like Polycarbonate and can be coated with special abrasion and chemically resistant coatings to... Read More

An Informational Brief on Polymer Machining   Known for its ease of machining, coloring and adaptability to additives, ABS is a versatile performance thermoplastic.  While it may be used in household toys, it is also used for mission critical applications like electrical insulators and automotive interior and exterior parts.   AIP has over 37 years of experience machining complex components from thermoplastics like Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).  In this insightful... Read More

What is HDT?   The Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT), or Heat Distortion Temperature, is a measure of a polymer’s resistance to alteration under a given load at an elevated temperature.  It is also known as the 'deflection temperature under load' (DTUL) or 'heat deflection temperature under load (HDTUL)'.  Basically, it tests the stiffness of a material as the temperature increases.   It is the temperature at which a polymer test... Read More

An Informational Brief on Polymer Machining   PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a rigid material that exhibits high corrosion resistance, high chemical resistance, low moisture absorption and excellent dielectric strength.  These qualities make it a choice material for a wide range of industries, including:  medical devices, industrial/construction components and everyday household items.  It is the world’s third largest thermoplastic material by volume only after polyethylene and polypropylene.   AIP has... Read More

The continuous service temperature, or continuous use temperature (CUT), is the maximum ambient service temperature in air that a material can withstand and maintain 50% of its initial physical properties after long-term service.   What is long-term service?  It's defined as 100,000 hours of service – well over 11 years, if used 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The continuous use temperature property tells machinists and users what... Read More