PACKAGED LUBRICATION SOLUTIONS THAT OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE
Lubrication provides essential functions for plastic molded components that are meant to be in motion. Americhem’s InLube™ line of internally lubricated compounds and alloys combines our specialty thermoplastics compounding experience with our lubricant additive technology to offer the industry’s most advanced solutions, packaged to optimize the performance of products across a broad spectrum of markets. With InLube™, you’ll reduce friction concerns that tend to cause noise, vibration and wear while eliminating the need to oil or grease parts externally. Our lubricated compounds are developed with cost reduction and service life in mind, offering a lightweight and suitable replacement for metal with formulations that resist corrosion and other damaging factors. Whether you need conductivity, thermal stability, electrical resistance or chemical inertness, InLube™ materials can enhance the characteristics of plastics, taking your product to a whole new performance level.
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A CUSTOMIZED APPROACH ENSURES YOUR SUCCESS
Like all of Americhem’s engineered compounds, InLube™ products are tailored to meet customers’ unique applications. This approach allows us to work closely with our customers, helping us understand which materials we should combine in the exact percentages necessary to achieve specific attributes. We can blend different lubricants and product additives, and add glass or carbon reinforcements to most resin families. Internally lubricated color compounds can also be created with our customizable color additive solutions. All ingredients are highly dependent on the mating material, temperature use, chemical/fluid exposure, purity concerns and other considerations. At Americhem, we take strategic measures at each stage to ensure every InLube™ batch you receive is of the utmost quality. From raw material selection and laboratory testing to multiple certifications and dedicated customer support, our material experts spare no effort to drive your success.
PREDICTING THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION AND WEAR-RESISTANCE RATE
Today’s manufacturers want a realistic prediction of how InLube™ internally lubricated compounds and alloys will work for their products. Americhem has amassed an extensive set of data related to the effects of material variables that our chemists use to provide coefficients of friction and wear-resistance rates. To arrive at these numbers, they analyze the application, materials of the mating parts, product life cycle and frequency of use. When the tribological properties of materials need to be analyzed, we send the materials to certified and accredited testing labs. All of the information we obtain is used to determine proper lubricant formulas.
TYPES OF LUBRICANTS USED IN INLUBE™
InLube™ provides inherent and lasting material lubrication through the addition of lubricant fillers, including graphite, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and silicone. Graphite lubricated compounds and alloys, MoS2 lubricated compounds and alloys, PTFE lubricated compounds and alloys, and silicone lubricated compounds and alloys deliver unique advantages across different resin bases. Below are some of the most significant benefits of these compounds, listed by filler type:
- Graphite. Applications operating in aqueous environments.
- MoS2. Nylon applications requiring reduced wear and "slip-stick" behavior in bearings.
- PTFE. Reduces wear and friction for a wide range of amorphous and crystalline thermoplastics. Combined with fiber reinforcements, increases LPV limits for high-temperature bearing applications.
- Silicone. Behaves as a boundary lubricant to provide reduced wear rates and coefficients of friction and immediate lubrication at start-up and high speeds.
OUR LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES GLIDE ACROSS MULTIPLE MARKETS
InLube™ internally lubricated compounds and alloys have countless uses, meeting processing and end-use needs for several industries. In the medical device market, InLube™ technologies provide lubrication solutions that offer important advantages where reduced friction for surgical devices is needed. Jumping to large truck and rail applications, you’ll find InLube™ carrying the load on everything from fenders, covers, hoods and canopies to brackets, frames and trims where strength, durability and toughness are achieved along with other benefits. InLube™ also takes on the challenge of nonautomotive vehicles, providing lubricity under the hood for increased durability and service life. Lastly, we’ve built a solid reputation in the building and construction sector by manufacturing materials that are great for window and door applications, lighting components and even some outdoor applications, like decking. Let Americhem add some lubrication to your next project to get it moving in the best possible direction!