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scout man
July 14th, 2013, 09:36 PM
Probably a long shot, but anyone on here work for a plastics company or have a lot of knowledge in the field? I am searching for a material for a new business endeavor I am working on. Looking for a plastic (or non-wood) product that can compete with 1/2" birch plywood. The ideal plastic would be approximately the same weight as, or lighter than, 1/2inch plywood - same or better impact resistance and strength as the plywood - UV resistant to some extent (not 24/7 UV exposure, but certainly occasional to moderate exposure) - and must be paintable. UHMW seems like it would be a suitable product except for the self-lubricating properties which prevents paint from sticking. Currently thinking recycled HDPE, which is slightly heavier but still potentially usable. Just not sure if the strength would be sufficient. Would need to use 3/8 HDPE as opposed to 1/2" plywood due to the increased weight. Need to stay under $250 for a 4x10 sheet. Or close to it. Thanks in advance if anyone has any knowledge or insight in the area!
Clickpopboom
July 15th, 2013, 02:01 PM
Probably a long shot, but anyone on here work for a plastics company or have a lot of knowledge in the field? I am searching for a material for a new business endeavor I am working on. Looking for a plastic (or non-wood) product that can compete with 1/2" birch plywood. The ideal plastic would be approximately the same weight as, or lighter than, 1/2inch plywood - same or better impact resistance and strength as the plywood - UV resistant to some extent (not 24/7 UV exposure, but certainly occasional to moderate exposure) - and must be paintable. UHMW seems like it would be a suitable product except for the self-lubricating properties which prevents paint from sticking. Currently thinking recycled HDPE, which is slightly heavier but still potentially usable. Just not sure if the strength would be sufficient. Would need to use 3/8 HDPE as opposed to 1/2" plywood due to the increased weight. Need to stay under $250 for a 4x10 sheet. Or close to it. Thanks in advance if anyone has any knowledge or insight in the area!


HDPE seems to be the way to go- it's used as a plywood replacement in marine applications. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&page=Marine-Lumber
Max
July 15th, 2013, 02:05 PM
Jim Williamson

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/member.php?921-Jim
Jim
July 15th, 2013, 09:24 PM
Hmmm - have I commented to you about my college past? Possibly.

I saw the title and did give it some consideration but 1) it was so LONG ago and 2) I never delved into the plastics field professionally / with depth. (My major was automation technology with an emphasis in plastics processing).

`wish I had productive comments to assist with!

Aside from that, kicking to chat in 3,2,
scout man
July 15th, 2013, 10:26 PM
I did not know that Jim! Stopped in a couple plastics places today, ended up with a sheet of expanded pvc. thought it was going to be the stuff till I did some torture testing on it. Still might be my best option, but when it fails, it fails spectacularly!
Jim
July 15th, 2013, 10:46 PM
My message might be a bit ambiguous. I was replying / commenting about Max knowing my past (possible as we did spend some time together on a couple runs).

As for finding a suitable material - call up / talk with a plastics supply house, one of the sales people. Let'm know what you're looking to "do" with it and see what they have to offer. You are a potential customer. A bonus (you don't need to tell them as it's not fact yet) is that you might be a business / repeat customer - not just a one-time sale. Tell'm what you wish (not enough to divulge your business plans, if you wish) but you don't wish to promise big sales and then not have it pan out. 0.02
glacierpaul
July 16th, 2013, 05:53 AM
One of my neighbors has his own plastic molding company, makes various stuff. If you would like Steve I could put you in touch with him.
Fordguy77
July 16th, 2013, 09:45 PM
Have you looked in to UHMW? Kind breaks the bank though @ $400 for a 3/8 sheet
scout man
July 18th, 2013, 03:08 PM
That was my first pursuit, but its really heavy and not paintable.
Fordguy77
July 25th, 2013, 11:34 AM
That was my first pursuit, but its really heavy and not paintable.
Interesting....haha Someones been doing some stuff at work wrong for years haha. Yeah it is fairly heavy now that I think about it. I usally only deal with 8' strips that are .5 thick and 4" tall. What did you end up using?