Plastic and Rubber Balls

Plastic and rubber balls are sphere shapes that are used as check or ball valves, bearings, and in other applications. They are made of elastomers, thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, or composite materials. Elastomers and rubber materials are characterized by their high degree of flexibility and elasticity (high reversible elongation). Thermoplastics can be repeatedly softened by heat and then hardened, or set by cooling, which allows parts to be injection-molded or thermoformed and scrap to be reprocessed. Thermoset plastics and thermoset resins are cross-linked polymeric resins that are cured using heat or heat and pressure. Plastic and rubber balls that contain composite materials are filled with a strengthening phase, reinforcement fibers, toughening phase, or other specialty fillers that provide unique properties. 

Chemical or polymer system type is an important specification to consider when selecting plastic and rubber balls. Choices include epoxy, fluoropolymer, ionomer, isoprene, liquid crystal polymer, PEEK, and phenolics. Epoxy balls are known for their toughness and resistance to chemical and environmental damage. Fluoropolymer balls are used in applications requiring superior chemical resistance. Liquid crystal polymers (LCP) are thermoplastics with high strength and temperature resistance. Ketones encompass polyaryletherketone or polyetheretherketone (PEEK), an engineered thermoplastic that can resist high temperatures. Plastic and rubber balls made of phenolic and formaldehyde resins are also available. 

Polymer systems for plastic and rubber balls include polyamide, polyamide-imide, polybutadiene, polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyester and vinyl ester, block amide, polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), and polyphenylene oxide (PPO). Plastic and rubber balls are also made of aramid fibers, polypropylene (PP), polysulphide (PP), polysulphide (PPS), polysulphone, polyurethane (PU) and silicone. Some suppliers also provide plastic and rubber balls made of polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyacetal materials, acrylic polymers, and butyl rubber.  

Plastic and rubber balls are used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, medical, building and construction, and tooling industries. In addition to chemical and material properties, they carry specifications for outer diameter (OD) and use temperature. Outer diameter is specified in inches and fractions of inches, or centimeters (cm) and millimeters (mm).  Use temperature is the range of temperatures to which plastic and rubber balls can be exposed without the degradation of structural or other required end-use properties.

• Reference Guide: Properties and Characteristics of Urethane and Rubbers
  IStandard of Shore Hardness of Urethane, Rubber CSelect the Shore A95, Shore A90, Shore A70, Shore A50, and Shore A30 based on the hardness of a golf ball, a hardball(using baseball), a softball, a...
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Part Numbers for Plastic and Rubber Balls