UV Radiation UV radiation from sunlight will degrade plastics over time. Polymer photodegradation occurs when non-visible UV radiation made up of short wavelengths breaks down the polymer chains in plastics. This is called the photo-degradation process and results in the deterioration of physical properties.  These include loss of impact strength, changes in color, cracking, loss of elongation and tensile strength as well as chalking of the surface. For example, photodegradation

PTFE Teflon® Fasteners PTFE fasteners include Teflon® screws, hex nuts, hex head cap screws, flat washers, etc. It is also used to fabricate custom parts. Is is sold under the brand name Teflon®. However, this material can only be turned, or made into parts on a CNC machine. It can also be compression molded. But it cannot be injection molded. It is not thermoplastic. PTFE fasteners and custom parts are

CFRP Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) have long been used in high-performance race cars. However, the cost, as well as the manufacturing time of parts has made CFRP prohibitive for consumer applications. But that is changing. Strong And Lightweight Parts made from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers can absorb twelve times more energy than steel improving safety. CFRP is fifty times lighter than steel and thirty times lighter than aluminum, making a car

Carbon fibers based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were developed in the 1960s by Dr. Akio Shindo at the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology in Japan.  The resulting fibers contained 55% carbon. Pan is used to make carbon fiber reinforced plastics. In fact, the PAN-based conversion process quickly became the primary method for producing carbon fiber.  Ninety percent of carbon fibers today are made from polyacrylonitrile (C3H3N)n  or PAN a synthetic, semi-crystalline organic polymer resin. But the