Anyone in 'plastics'?

[LimaDelta]

Is there a PVC-type material which is suitable as a stainless steel replacement, in terms of strength in tension/compression, stiffness, hardness, shear strength, machinability, thermal stability, chemical resistance etc?

[hidetheelephants]

What's the component doing? If you need similar mechanical strength/stiffness only composites get anywhere near. Need more information as you've just asked a 'how long is a piece of string?' question.

[LimaDelta]

hidetheelephants said:

What's the component doing?

Various components doing various things but in general being crushed, twisted and bent.

[JuniorD]

CELAZOLE or PEEK are high performance, but probably nowhere near steel in most properties. What is the intended use?

[Simpo Two]

Graphene?

[Ean218]

LimaDelta said:

Is there a PVC-type material which is suitable as a stainless steel replacement, in terms of strength in tension/compression, stiffness, hardness, shear strength, machinability, thermal stability, chemical resistance etc?

If you want all those properties in a cheap thermoplastic the answer is definitely no.

However if we knew more about the part shape and end use there may well be something suitable.

[LimaDelta]

Ean218 said:

If you want all those properties in a cheap thermoplastic the answer is definitely no.

However if we knew more about the part shape and end use there may well be something suitable.

Nobody said cheap...

[stumpage]

Polyimide - take a look at Meldin 7000 range.

[hidetheelephants]

LimaDelta said:

Nobody said cheap...

Other than a couple of wild stabs in the dark no-one's suggested owt; without more of a clue what it is and what you want it to do you won't get any more useable help. Broadly speaking you won't be able to replace a stainless steel component with a plastic one of the same dimensions because the physical properties are very different.

[BGARK]

LimaDelta said:

Is there a PVC-type material which is suitable as a stainless steel replacement, in terms of strength in tension/compression, stiffness, hardness, shear strength, machinability, thermal stability, chemical resistance etc?

Machinability and chemical resistance, yes.

The other factors no.

[Bodo]

Plastics today are not a 1:1 replacemnt for metals; however, with the requirements known, plastic might be an alternative.

The latest BMW 550i has a moulded gearbox crossmember by Contitech instead of alloy:

[dudleybloke]

What grade of stainless are you trying to replace?

[LimaDelta]

dudleybloke said:

What grade of stainless are you trying to replace?

410, or as near as is manageable.

I realise a direct replacement is not possible, And I do not want to copy all of the attributes of the steel - for instance the lower electrical and thermal conductivity of the plastics are an advantage in this application. As are the increased resistance to corrosion or chemical attacks.

A reduction in strength is a necessary trade-off in this case.

I think something like Duratron PBI is looking like the best bet but I have a meeting arranged this month with some experts in engineering plastics who can hopefully advise on something suitable.

[anothernameitist]

Give these a call

http://www.kaylan.co.uk/en/

[Ean218]

LimaDelta said:

Nobody said cheap...

You said like PVC, which in the world of plastic is cheap, and nasty.