The Best Grip For Plastic: Secure Handling

what is a good grip for plastic

Plastic grips are used in a variety of applications, from personal care products to automobiles. The design of a plastic grip depends on its function and intended use. For instance, Flexfit grips feature a smooth, shiny surface with ample cushioning, making them ideal for decorating with logos or instructions. On the other hand, for testing plastics, pneumatic vise grips are commonly used as they offer larger specimen openings and a variety of faces for universal testing. This variety of grips and their unique features allow for a wide range of applications, showcasing the importance of understanding the specific requirements for a good grip on plastic.

Characteristics Values
Surface Smooth, shiny, soft, non-slip
Texture Foam, rubber, vinyl, flexible
Durability Weather-resistant, perspiration-resistant, crack-resistant, split-resistant
Ease of use Fast, easy operation, self-locking, self-tightening
Customizability Variety of colours, durometers, lengths, wall thicknesses, materials, surface textures, sizes, styles
Cost Affordable

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Plastic grips for testing: Pneumatic vise grips are commonly used for tensile testing

Pneumatic vise grips are a common choice for tensile testing of plastics. They are used to test the tensile strength of plastic films, sheet materials, paper, and packaging components. These grips are designed to be low-effort, offering a variety of faces and larger specimen openings for universal testing. They are also affordable and can be used for a wide range of tensile applications. The gripping force is consistent and repeatable, which helps to eliminate variance between technicians.

Pneumatic grips use air to actuate the grip jaws, providing a constant and repeatable lateral force on the sample specimen. They are ideal for production environments with high testing throughput requirements as they can speed up the pace of testing in a lab. This is because the air-actuated fixture can be quickly opened and closed.

There are different types of pneumatic grips available, including vise grips, wedge grips, and rope grips. The small pneumatic grip, for instance, is designed for lightweight applications and can hold wider grip inserts. The dual-action grips are more versatile in terms of the size of the grip insert and alignment. The 2.6kN pneumatic grip is available with one or two pneumatic drums, which some users prefer.

Other types of grips used for plastic tensile testing include manual wedge grips, roller grips, and scissors grips. Manual wedge grips are ideal for thicker specimens and feature interchangeable faces, while roller grips with a smooth rubber face and compression bar are better suited for thin films. Scissors grips, on the other hand, are self-tightening and suitable for oddly shaped, non-uniform, or thicker specimens.

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Plastic grips for bags: Food bag clips with a sealing function to prevent moisture

Plastic grips for bags, or food bag clips, are an incredibly useful household item. They are often used to seal bags of food to prevent moisture and keep the contents fresh, but they can also be used for other purposes such as holding cookbooks open. When choosing a plastic grip for bags, it is important to consider the quality and features of the product. Firstly, look for a clip with a strong, non-slip grip that can securely hold items without slipping or falling off. This could be in the form of soft-touch thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) which provide comfort and functionality, or textured materials that simulate the look and feel of rubber while providing a non-slip surface. Additionally, consider the size of the bag clip's mouth and ensure it is wide enough to securely close large bags. Other features such as a magnet on the back of the clip can also be useful for posting pictures, notes, shopping lists, etc.

When it comes to the design of plastic grips, there are various methods and materials used to create effective and durable grips. One common method is dip moulding, which allows for the creation of different lengths, wall thicknesses, materials, and surface textures. GripWorks, for example, utilizes this method to create custom plastic hand grips with their Flexfit and Softex™ material families. Their Flexfit grips feature a smooth, shiny surface with ample cushioning and are available in a variety of colours. Another material used in dip moulding is Vynafoam, which combines the look and cushioning of foam grips with the durability of vinyl, resulting in a superior, slip-resistant finish.

For testing the quality of plastic grips, MTS provides a range of grip options, including pneumatic vise grips, manual wedge grips, screw action grips, and manual vise grips. These grips are designed to secure specimens and prevent slipping during tensile testing of plastics. The ASTM D412 standard is particularly useful for testing complex rubber compounds that require both elasticity during stretching and recoil upon release.

When purchasing plastic grips for bags, it is important to consider the cost of the product. While offline retail stores may offer a wide range of options, the price is often higher compared to online stores. It is recommended to prioritize quality over price and invest in high-quality, well-designed products that offer the best value for your money. By choosing reputable brands and products with high scores and reviews, you can ensure that you are getting a good grip for plastic bags.

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Plastic grips for comfort: Soft-touch thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are used in consumer goods for comfort

Plastic grips are used in a wide range of applications, from personal-care products to power tools, kitchen utensils, automobiles, and even pens and pencils. Soft-touch thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are one such material that is commonly used to add comfort and functionality to products. These soft, flexible polymers are increasingly being used by engineers in consumer goods.

TPEs are ideal for grip strips in consumer electronics, as new resins can easily flow across long, thin channels in part moulds. This makes them a popular choice for manufacturers, as weight is often a concern in these applications. The elastomers can be moulded onto rigid substrates, providing a strong chemical bond without the need for adhesives or mechanical locks. This results in a seamless, comfortable grip for the end-user.

The soft-touch feel of TPEs can enhance the user experience by making products more comfortable to hold and use. This is especially beneficial for products that require a non-slip grip, such as power tools or sporting equipment. Additionally, TPEs can be pigmented to almost any colour, allowing manufacturers to create visually appealing products that stand out in the market.

When designing products with TPE grips, it is important to consider the durometer, or hardness, of the material. Lower durometer materials, from 40 to 60 Shore A, are more challenging to process and require careful gate design to deliver resin to mould cavities. Higher durometer materials above 70 Shore A are easier to work with as they behave more like rigid materials. Aesthetics are also crucial, especially for knobs and grips, as any flaws in the surface texture will be noticeable to the user.

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Plastic grips for decoration: Flexfit grips have a smooth, shiny surface that can be decorated with logos

Flexfit grips are a popular choice for plastic decoration due to their smooth, shiny surface and ample cushioning. They are highly customisable, making them ideal for branding and decoration. With Flexfit grips, you can achieve specific functional or aesthetic goals for your product.

Flexfit grips are part of the GripWorks family of vinyl materials, which also includes Softex™. These materials are often "double-dipped", allowing for a wide range of colours and durometers to be used. This double-dipping technique enables manufacturers to create grips of varying lengths, wall thicknesses, and surface textures.

The flexibility of the dip-molding manufacturing process means that GripWorks can create custom grips for high-volume applications without additional tooling charges. This makes it a cost-effective option for decorating plastic products with logos or instructions.

In addition to Flexfit grips, GripWorks also offers Vynafoam and Vynaprene materials. Vynafoam combines the look and cushioning of foam grips with the durability of vinyl, resulting in a superior, slip-resistant finish. On the other hand, Vynaprene offers the non-slip feel of a rubber grip at a lower cost, making it suitable for double-dipped grips that require excellent weathering properties.

When choosing a grip for plastic decoration, it is important to consider the specific application and any customisation requirements. Flexfit grips provide a versatile and aesthetically pleasing option that can be tailored to your unique needs.

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Plastic grips for durability: Vynafoam combines the look of foam grips with the durability of vinyl

Plastic grips are used in a wide range of applications, from testing materials to consumer goods. The best type of grip depends on the specific use case. For example, when testing the tensile strength of plastics, it is important to use grips that can secure the specimen and prevent slipping without inducing stresses that may lead to misleading failures. Pneumatic vise grips, manual wedge grips, screw action grips, and manual vise grips are some of the options available for tensile testing.

In consumer goods, soft-touch thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are commonly used to add comfort and functionality to products such as personal care items, sporting goods, power tools, kitchen utensils, and automobiles. TPEs are valued for their ease of processing and ability to be pigmented to almost any colour. They can also be bonded to engineered plastic substrates, providing manufacturers with design flexibility.

For plastic hand grips, GripWorks offers Flexfit grips, which feature a smooth, shiny surface with ample cushioning and are available in a variety of colours. Another option is Vynafoam, a unique material that combines the look and cushioning of foam grips with the durability of vinyl. Vynafoam's exposed cell structure provides a superior, slip-resistant finish that resists weather and perspiration, outperforming most foam grips in terms of durability.

Vynafoam's vinyl composition contributes to its durability. Vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is a versatile plastic that can be moulded, extruded, or cast into a wide variety of products. It is known for its strength, durability, and weather resistance, making it suitable for applications where exposure to the elements is a concern. Vinyl can also be formulated with additives to enhance specific properties, such as impact resistance or flexibility.

Overall, Vynafoam's combination of foam's cushioning and vinyl's durability makes it an attractive option for plastic grips requiring a non-slip finish and improved weather and perspiration resistance. Its superior durability over foam grips ensures a longer-lasting product, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Vynafoam's versatility in terms of colours and durometers further expands its potential applications, making it a compelling choice for designers and manufacturers seeking both functionality and aesthetics.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the application. For testing plastics, MTS offers a portfolio of grips, including manual wedge grips, roller grips, and scissors grips. For consumer applications, soft-touch thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are popular as they add comfort and functionality.

TPEs are used in a wide range of consumer products, including personal care items, sporting goods, power tools, kitchen utensils, automobiles, and writing instruments.

TPEs offer improved comfort and functionality. They are soft, flexible, and can be pigmented to almost any colour. Additionally, they can be easily molded into thin-wall sections, making them ideal for weight-sensitive products like consumer electronics.

Good grip plastic products include food bag clips with a sealing function to prevent moisture, bag cinches that replace bread tags and twist ties, and wide-mouth bag clips to securely close large bags.

When choosing a grip for plastic, it's important to consider the specific application and any customization needs. Other factors include cost, weight, and the grip's ability to prevent slippage. For testing plastics, the quality of the specimen interface is crucial for accurate and repeatable results.

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