Plastic balls and rubber balls are sphere shapes that are used as check or ball valves, bearings, and in other applications. Plastic, rubber and elastomeric materials are organic, synthetic or processed materials that can be shaped into many forms. Most plastics and elastomers are corrosion-resistant, but softer and more limited in heat resistance than metals, ceramics, glasses, or carbides. Plastics and elastomers can have good electrical insulation properties and, depending on their fillers and chemistries, good self-lubricating properties. Elastomers and rubber materials are characterized by a high degree of flexibility and elasticity (high reversible elongation).
Plastic balls and rubber balls are made of many different plastic, rubber, elastomeric, and composite materials. Industrial plastics consist of thermoplastic, thermoset and specialty resins or compounds. Thermoplastics can be repeatedly softened by heat and then hardened or set by cooling. Thermoset plastics and thermoset resins are crosslinked polymeric resins that are cured using heat or heat and pressure. Generally, cured thermoset resins have higher resistance to heat than thermoplastics. Elastomers and rubber materials are based on a variety of systems, including silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, butyl, polybutadiene, neoprene, natural rubber or isoprene and various synthetic rubber compounds. Plastic balls and rubber balls may also include composite materials that are filled with a strengthening phase, reinforcement fibers, toughening phase or other specialty fillers.
Plastic balls and rubber balls are sphere shapes that are used as check or ball valves, bearings, and in other applications. Plastic, rubber and elastomeric materials are organic, synthetic or processed materials that can be shaped into many forms. Most plastics and elastomers are corrosion-resistant, but softer and more limited in heat resistance than metals, ceramics, glasses, or carbides. Plastics and elastomers can have good electrical insulation properties and, depending on their fillers and chemistries, good self-lubricating properties. Elastomers and rubber materials are characterized by a high degree of flexibility and elasticity (high reversible elongation).
Plastic balls and rubber balls are made of many different plastic, rubber, elastomeric, and composite materials. Industrial plastics consist of thermoplastic, thermoset and specialty resins or compounds. Thermoplastics can be repeatedly softened by heat and then hardened or set by cooling. Thermoset plastics and thermoset resins are crosslinked polymeric resins that are cured using heat or heat and pressure. Generally, cured thermoset resins have higher resistance to heat than thermoplastics. Elastomers and rubber materials are based on a variety of systems, including silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, butyl, polybutadiene, neoprene, natural rubber or isoprene and various synthetic rubber compounds. Plastic balls and rubber balls may also include composite materials that are filled with a strengthening phase, reinforcement fibers, toughening phase or other specialty fillers.
Performance specifications for plastic balls and rubber balls include size or diameter, which is the width or outer diameter (OD) of the ball. Another important consideration is use temperature, which is the temperature range to which a material can be exposed without degradation of structure or other required end-use properties.
Plastic balls and rubber balls are used in light load-bearing, check valve, or flow control and flowmeter applications in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical processing industries. Plastic balls and rubber balls are also useful in screen de-blinding, cabinetry (eliminating chatter or vibration), mounting, and check valve (quiet or low-noise sealing) applications.
