Expanded Plastics

PolyGrid® Precision Expanded Plastics

Dexmet precision expanded plastics offer superior performance and material savings for a range of materials and applications.

PolyGrid®

precision-expanded plastics from Dexmet are used in filtration applications requiring membrane support, purification and separation. Other uses encompass the following industries: electronics, aerospace, medical, food packaging, automotive and wherever mesh and perforated plastics with high precision, mechanical and electrical properties are required. Dexmet PolyGrid® is available in most polymers or we can work with your proprietary materials. Dexmet meets Clean Room specifications to Class 10,000.

Plastics regularly produced include:

Fluoroplastics:

PTFE, PFA and ECTFE

Polyesters (Thermoplastic):

PET, PETP, PBTP

Polysulfones

Polyvinyls

High Temp Plastics:

PTFE (PFOA-free), PEEK, Nylons

A range of standard diamond mesh sizes from .020” to 1.2” is available. The number of openings per square inch can vary from 25 to as many as 11,000, with an open area range from 10% to 90%. The variable open area facilitates lamination with a variety of other materials including those which expand, contract and flex. Designing a precision expanded plastic material with unique characteristics is our specialty. Dexmet’s extensive manufacturing resources can accommodate many variations for plastic materials in a range of finished thicknesses.

PFOA-Free Material:

Dexmet Corporation introduces PFOA-Free PolyGrid® Expanded Fluoropolymers. PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid), is widely used as a polymerization surfactant in making fluoropolymers including PTFE, PFA and FEP. Dexmet provides PolyGrid® without this harmful additive for medical, filtration and food processing applications that require a PFOA-free expanded material.

PolyGrid's flexibility and its unique properties allows PolyGrid® to be used in a number of applications.

The chart below is in millimeters

Tool Code LWD (mm) SWD Min (mm) SWD Max (mm) Hole Size Min (mm) Hole Size Max (mm) Opening SQCM Min Opening SQCM Max Open Area Min Open Area Max Width (mm) Raw Thickness Min (mm) Raw Thickness Max (mm)
Tool Code LWD
(mm)		 SWD
(mm)		 Hole Size (mm) Opening/
SQCM		 Open Area Width
(mm) 		Raw Thickness
(mm)
Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
020 0.508 0.279 0.330 0.025 0.178 1162.79 1395.35 32% 75% 203.2 0.025 0.051
025 0.635 0.318 0.391 0.030 0.203 806.20 992.25 32% 75% 203.2 0.025 0.076
031 0.787 0.457 0.610 0.038 0.254 410.85 550.39 32% 82% 304.8 0.025 0.127
040 1.016 0.559 0.813 0.051 0.432 271.32 348.84 24% 85% 304.8 0.038 0.152
050 1.270 0.610 0.914 0.076 0.559 173.64 254.26 21% 89% 609.6 0.038 0.203
060 1.524 0.762 1.092 0.076 0.686 120.93 178.29 20% 90% 609.6 0.038 0.229
075 1.905 0.762 0.940 0.084 0.762 111.63 136.43 15% 90% 965.2 0.038 0.229
077 1.956 0.838 1.422 0.102 0.838 73.64 120.16 15% 90% 914.4 0.051 0.305
080 2.032 0.940 1.702 0.178 1.016 58.14 104.65 16% 90% 1219.2 0.051 0.356
090 2.286 1.143 1.422 0.178 1.143 62.02 77.52 16% 90% 609.6 0.051 0.356
100 2.540 1.016 1.956 0.178 1.168 38.76 73.64 16% 90% 965.2 0.051 0.432
105 2.667 1.270 1.956 0.178 1.219 38.76 54.26 20% 90% 609.6 0.051 0.457
125 3.175 1.270 2.819 0.203 1.321 23.26 50.39 20% 90% 1219.2 0.051 0.635
140 3.556 1.499 3.175 0.254 1.651 17.05 38.76 30% 90% 609.6 0.076 0.762
158 4.001 1.956 3.175 0.279 1.905 15.50 27.91 30% 90% 685.8 0.076 0.762
180 4.572 1.803 2.819 0.279 2.032 15.50 23.26 32% 90% 609.6 0.102 0.762
190 4.826 1.702 2.540 0.508 2.235 12.40 20.16 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762
215 5.461 2.108 3.632 0.508 2.413 10.08 17.05 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762
236 5.994 2.311 3.632 0.635 2.540 9.30 13.95 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762
250 6.350 2.540 4.424 0.686 2.794 7.75 12.40 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762
284 7.214 2.311 3.632 0.762 3.302 6.98 12.40 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762
400 10.160 3.175 8.458 0.889 4.572 2.33 6.20 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762
500 12.700 2.311 3.632 0.762 3.302 6.98 12.40 35% 90% 609.6 0.127 0.762

The chart below is in inches

Tool Code LWD (in) SWD Min (in) SWD Max (in) Hole Size Min (in) Hole Size Max (in) Opening SQIN Min Opening SQIN Max Open Area Min Open Area Max Width (in) Raw Thickness Min (in) Raw Thickness Max (in)
Tool Code LWD
(in)		 SWD
(in)		 Hole Size (in) Opening/
SQIN		 Open Area Width
(in) 		Raw Thickness
(in)
Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
020 0.020 0.0111 0.0133 0.001 0.007 7500 9000 32% 75% 8 0.001 0.002
025 0.025 0.0125 0.0154 0.0012 0.008 5200 6400 32% 75% 8 0.001 0.003
031 0.031 0.0182 0.0244 0.0015 0.01 2650 3550 32% 82% 12 0.001 0.005
040 0.040 0.0222 0.0323 0.002 0.017 1750 2250 24% 85% 12 0.0015 0.006
050 0.050 0.0244 0.0357 0.003 0.022 1120 1640 21% 89% 24 0.0015 0.008
060 0.060 0.0303 0.0435 0.003 0.027 780 1150 20% 90% 24 0.0015 0.009
075 0.075 0.0303 0.0370 0.0033 0.03 720 880 15% 90% 38 0.0015 0.009
077 0.077 0.0333 0.0556 0.004 0.033 475 775 15% 90% 36 0.002 0.012
080 0.080 0.0370 0.0667 0.007 0.04 375 675 16% 90% 48 0.002 0.014
090 0.090 0.0455 0.0556 0.007 0.045 400 500 16% 90% 24 0.002 0.014
100 0.100 0.0400 0.0769 0.007 0.046 250 475 16% 90% 38 0.002 0.017
105 0.105 0.0500 0.0769 0.007 0.048 250 350 20% 90% 24 0.002 0.018
125 0.125 0.0500 0.1111 0.008 0.052 150 325 20% 90% 48 0.002 0.025
140 0.140 0.0588 0.1250 0.01 0.065 110 250 30% 90% 24 0.003 0.03
158 0.158 0.0769 0.1250 0.011 0.075 100 180 30% 90% 27 0.003 0.03
180 0.180 0.0714 0.1111 0.011 0.08 100 150 32% 90% 24 0.004 0.03
190 0.190 0.0667 0.1000 0.02 0.088 80 130 35% 90% 24 0.005 0.03
215 0.215 0.0833 0.1429 0.02 0.095 65 110 35% 90% 24 0.005 0.03
236 0.236 0.0909 0.1429 0.025 0.1 60 90 35% 90% 24 0.005 0.03
250 0.250 0.1000 0.1667 0.027 0.11 50 80 35% 90% 24 0.005 0.03
284 0.284 0.0909 0.1429 0.03 0.13 45 80 35% 90% 24 0.005 0.03
400 0.400 0.1250 0.3333 0.035 0.18 15 40 35% 90% 24 0.005 0.03
500 0.500 0.2000 0.400 0.05 0.225 10 20 35% 90% 36 0.005 0.03

Materials and Specifications

Click here to see list of Material Advantages and Disadvantages

PROPERTIES Polyethylene
Low-Density		 Polyethylene
Medium-Density		 Polyethylene
High-Density
Relative density 0.910-0.925 0.926-0.940 0.941-0.965
Tensile Strength, Mpa 4-16 8.24 20-38
(psi) (600-2300) (1200-3500) (3100-5500)

Resistance to heat

Celsius (C)

80-100°C

 105-120°C

Farenheight (F)

 (180-212°F) (220-250°F) (250°F)
Effect of sunlight Crazes-must be stablilized Crazes-must be stablilized Crazes-must be stablilized
Effect of acids Oxidizing acids Oxidizing acids Oxidizing acids
Effect of alkalies Resistant Resistant Resistant
Effect of solvents Resistant (below 60°C) Resistant (below 60°C) Resistant (below 60°C)
Optical qualities Transparent to opaque Transparent to opaque Transparent to opaque
PROPERTIES Polytetrafluoroethyline
(PTFE)		 Polyfluroethylenepropylene
(PFEP)
Relative density 2.14-2.2 2.12-2.17
Tensile Strength, Mpa 14-35 19-21
(psi) (2000-5000) (2700-3100)
Resistance to heat C 287°C 205°C
( F) (550°F) (400°F)
Effect of sunlight None None
Effect of acids None None
Effect of alkalies None None
Effect of solvents None None
Optical qualities Opaque Transparent
PROPERTIES Polyvinyls
Rigid Vinyl Chloride (PCV)		 Polysulfone
(Unfilled)
Relative density 1.30-1.45 1.24
Tensile Strength, Mpa 34-62 70
(psi) (5000-9000) (10200)
Resistance to heat C 65-80°C 150-175°C
( F) (150-175°F) (300-345°F)
Effect of sunlight Needs stablilizer Strength loss, yellows slightly
Effect of acids None to slight None
Effect of alkalies None None
Effect of solvents Soluble in ketones & esters Partly soluble in aromatic hydrocargons
Optical qualities Transparent Transparent to opaque
PROPERTIES Polypropylene
Homopolymer (Unmodified)		 Polyvinyl Fluoride
(PVF)
Relative density 0.902-0.906
Tensile Strength, Mpa 31-38 58-124
(psi) (4500-5500)
Resistance to heat C 110-150°C 146°C
( F) (225-300°F) (300°F)
Effect of sunlight Crazes-must be stablilized Slight bleach
Effect of acids Oxidizing acids Attacked by fuming sulfuric
Effect of alkalies Resistant None
Effect of solvents Resistant (below 80°C) Resists most
Optical qualities Transparent to opaque Transparent
PROPERTIES Polyamides
Nylon 6,6 (Unfilled)		 Polyamides
Nylon 6,10 (Unfilled)		 Polyamides
Nylon 6, 10 (Glass-Filled)
Relative density 1.13-1.15 1.09 1.17-1.52
Tensile Strength, Mpa 62-82 58-60 89-240
(psi) (9000-12000) (8500-8600) (13000-35000)
Resistance to heat C 80-150°C 80-120°C 150-205°C
( F) (180-300°F) (180-250°F) (300-400°F)
Effect of sunlight Discolors slightly Discolors slightly Discolors slightly
Effect of acids Attacked Attacked Attacked
Effect of alkalies Resistant None None
Effect of solvents Dissolved by phenol &
formic acid		 Dissolved by phenols Dissolved by phenols
Optical qualities Translucent to opaque Translucent to opaque Translucent to opaque
PROPERTIES Polychlorotrifluoroethylene
(PCTFE)
Relative density 2.1-2.2
Tensile Strength, Mpa 30-40
(psi) (4500-6000)
Resistance to heat C 175-199°C
( F) (350-390°F)
Effect of sunlight None
Effect of acids None
Effect of alkalies None
Effect of solvents None
Optical qualities Translucent to opaque

  • Polyethylene

    • Advantages

      • Low cost (except UHMWPE)
      • Excellent dielectric properties
      • Moisture resistance
      • Very good chemical resistance
      • Available in food grades
      • Processable by all thermoplastic methods (except HMWHPE and UHMWPE)

    • Disadvantages

      • High thermal expansion
      • Poor weathering resistance
      • Subject to stress cracking (except UHMWPE)
      • Difficulty in bonding
      • Flammable

  • Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

    • Advantages

      • Nonflammable
      • Outstanding chemical and solvent resistance
      • Excellent weatherability
      • Low friction co-efficient (anti-stick property)
      • Wide thermal service range
      • Very good electrical properties

    • Disadvantages

      • Not processable by common thermoplastic methods
      • Toxic in thermal degradation
      • Subject to creep
      • Permeable
      • Requires high processing temperatures
      • Low Strength
      • High density
      • Comparativey high cost

  • Polyfluoroethylenepropylene (PFEP)

    • Advantages

      • Processable by normal thermoplastic methods
      • Resistant to chemical (including oxidizing agents)
      • Excellent solvent resistance
      • Anti-stick characteristics
      • Nonflammable
      • Low co-efficient of friction, dilectric constant, mod shrinkage, and water absorption

    • Disadvantages

      • Comparatively high cost
      • High density
      • Subject to creep
      • Low compressive and tensile strength
      • Low stiffness
      • Toxic upon thermal decomposition

  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PCV)

    • Advantages

      • Processable by thermoplastic methods
      • Wide range of flexibility (by varying levels of plasticizers)
      • Nonflammable
      • Dimensional stability
      • Comparatively low cost
      • Good resistance to weathering

    • Disadvantages

      • Subject to attack by several solvents
      • Limited thermal capability
      • Thermal decomposition evolves HC1

  • Polysulfones

    • Advantages

      • Good thermal stability
      • Excellent high-temperature creep resistance
      • Transparent
      • Tough and rigid
      • Processable by thermoplastic methods

    • Disadvantages

      • Subject to attack by many solvents
      • Poor weatherability
      • Subject to stress cracking
      • High processing temperature

  • Polypropylene

    • Advantages

      • Processable by all thermoplastic methods
      • Low co-efficient of friction
      • Excellent electrical insulation
      • Good fatigue resistance
      • Excellent moisture resistance
      • First rate abrasion resistance
      • Good grade availability
      • Service temperature to 126°C (260°F)
      • Very good chemical resistance
      • Excellent flexural strength
      • Good impact strength

    • Disadvantages

      • Broken down by ultraviolet radiation
      • Poor weatherability

  • Polyvinyl Fluoride

    • Advantages

      • Processable by thermoplastic methods
      • Low permeability
      • Flame retardance
      • Good solvent resistance

    • Disadvantages

      • Lower thermal capability than highly fluorinated polymers
        Toxic (in thermal decomposition)
        High dipole bond
        Subject to attack by strong acids

  • Polyamide (Nylon)

    • Advantages

      • Tough, strong and impact resistant
      • Low co-efficient of friction
      • Abrasion resistance
      • High Temperature resistance
      • Processable by thermoplastic methods
      • Good solvent resistance
      • Resistant to bases

    • Disadvantages

      • High moisture absorption with related dimensional instability
      • Subject to attack by strong acids and oxidizing agents
      • Requires ultraviolet stabilization
      • High shrinkage in molded sections
      • Electrical and mechanical properties influenced by moisture content

  • Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)

    • Advantages

      • Excellent solvent resistance
      • Optically clear
      • Zero moisture absorption
      • Self-extinguishing
      • Low permeability
      • Creep resistance better than PTFE of PFEP
      • Very low co-efficient of friction
      • Good low temperature capability

    • Disadvantages

      • Lower electrical properties than PTFE
      • More difficult to mold than PFEP
      • Crystallizes upon slow cooling
      • Less solvent resistance than PTFE and PFEP
      • Higher co-efficient of friction than PTFE and PFEP

Contact Us

Phone: (203) 294-4440
Fax: (203) 294-7899

sales@dexmet.com

22 Barnes Industrial Rd. So.
Wallingford, CT 06492
United States of America

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