Chloe Zhang
KYDEX® Thermoplastics is a line of thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride materials manufactured by SEKISUI KYDEX, a Philadelphia-based company. KYDEX® is a versatile plastic sheet with high rigidity and chemical resistance, making it ideal for various applications like automotive and aerospace industries, medical equipment, decorative wall panels, and knife sheaths. It is lightweight, durable, impact-resistant, and easy to machine and thermoform. KYDEX® comes in a variety of colours, textures, and sheet sizes, and can be easily cut and shaped.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride |
| Rigidity | High |
| Chemical resistance | High |
| Impact resistance | High |
| Fire-rating | High |
| Weight | Lightweight |
| Durability | High |
| Recyclability | Recyclable |
| Flexibility | Flexible |
| Ease of shaping | Easy to shape |
| Ease of cleaning | Easy to clean |
| Colour | Available in a range of colours |
| Texture | Available in a range of textures |
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What You'll Learn
Kydex's composition
Kydex is a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material. In other words, its substrate chemicals are acrylic and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Acrylic provides a harder surface, while PVC gives Kydex its high resistance to chemicals. Kydex is a lightweight, durable, low-cost plastic that is easy to machine, fabricate, and thermoform. It is also highly impact-resistant, flexible, and strong.
Kydex is available in a wide range of standard and custom colours, textures, sheet sizes, and grades. Its colour is throughout the thickness of the sheet, hiding scratches and wear. It typically has a textured finish, though it can also be ordered with a smooth surface. Kydex can be cut and machined with standard woodworking tools and assembled to wood products, metals, and plastics using adhesives, double-sided tapes, or mechanical fasteners.
Kydex is a versatile plastic sheet with high rigidity and chemical resistance, making it ideal for various applications. It is commonly used in the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as for medical equipment and decorative walls. Its lightweight and flexible properties make it perfect for industries where lightweight construction and aerodynamics are essential. Kydex is also used for knife and gun sheaths and holsters, as well as for medical carts, equipment, and furniture due to its ability to withstand cleaning with harsh chemicals.
Kydex is manufactured by SEKISUI KYDEX, which also owns the ALLEN® Thermoplastics brand. It was originally developed by the Rohm and Haas Company, a Philadelphia-based materials manufacturer working in the aircraft interior business. Kydex is produced at a state-of-the-art facility in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and can be reprocessed and recycled.
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Applications
Kydex is a versatile thermoplastic with a wide range of applications across various industries. Its unique properties, such as toughness, durability, chemical resistance, and lightweight nature, make it an ideal material for many products.
One of the most common uses of Kydex is in the medical field. Its ability to withstand harsh cleaning chemicals without staining or fading makes it perfect for medical equipment, devices, and furniture in hospitals and medical offices. Kydex is also used in the orthotics industry for neck braces, body jackets, and upper extremity orthoses. Its lightweight and flexible nature make it suitable for prosthetics, enhancing comfort and durability.
In the automotive and aerospace industries, Kydex is used for interior parts and equipment housings in airplanes, buses, trains, and vehicles. Its lightweight and easy formability make it ideal for vehicle storage bins, dashboards, and interior panels. Kydex is also used in the fabrication of automotive trim parts.
For decorative purposes, Kydex sheets can be covered with paper or decorative vinyl to create aesthetically pleasing walls in high-traffic areas, such as homes and businesses. Its durability and impact resistance help walls look newer for longer. Kydex is also used for retail fixtures, offering an attractive and long-lasting solution for point-of-purchase (POP) displays.
Kydex sheets can be customized to meet specific requirements, with a variety of grades, sizes, textures, and colours available. Its versatility allows for easy fabrication and assembly with other materials, making it a popular choice for various applications.
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Manufacturing
Kydex is a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material made by Sekisui Polymer Innovations, LLC. It is a higher-end coloured thermoplastic sheet stock that combines acrylic's rigid and forming properties with polyvinyl chloride's durability and chemical resistance. Kydex is lightweight, durable, impact-resistant, and easy to machine and thermoform. It is also easily recyclable.
Kydex is manufactured at Kleerdex's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facility in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The manufacturing process for Kydex involves thermoforming, which is the process of heating the sheet to a pliable temperature and then forming it over a mould using vacuum or pressure. This process is suitable for producing complex, high-performance components with exceptional manufacturing adaptability. Kydex can be vacuum-formed, pressure-formed, or plug-assist formed. Vacuum forming is suitable for moderate detail and simple geometries, while pressure forming enables sharper edges and precise detailing.
Kydex can also be processed through plastic fabrication, CNC routing, milling, die cutting, and other forms of plastic manufacturing. It is used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, medical devices, transportation, architecture, commercial furnishings, and protective coverings. Kydex is often used in industries where lightweight construction and aerodynamics are essential, such as automotive manufacturing and aerospace engineering. It is also used for prosthetic and orthotic devices due to its lightweight and flexibility.
Traco Manufacturing and Productive Plastics Inc. are two companies that specialise in manufacturing products using Kydex. These companies have experienced staff and advanced manufacturing capabilities to ensure that the final product meets and exceeds expectations. They work closely with clients to select the right grade and type of Kydex for their specific applications.
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Grades
Kydex is a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material. It is a versatile plastic sheet with high rigidity and chemical resistance, making it ideal for various applications. Kydex is available in a wide range of grades, sizes, textures, and colours.
Some of the most popular grades of Kydex include:
- Kydex 100: This is the original composite grade and is known for its high impact resistance and rigidity. It is also fire-rated and durable. Kydex 100 is about 15% more shock-resistant than Kydex T.
- Kydex T: This grade is recommended for most knife sheaths due to its high impact and fire-rated properties. It also offers excellent chemical resistance and is 25% cheaper than Kydex 100.
- Kydex V103: This is a cost-effective, recycled-grade option available in black or pinstripe colours. It is well-suited for hidden or painted parts due to its colour variability.
Other grades of Kydex include Kydex 6200 and custom grades tailored to specific industrial applications, such as flame resistance and transparency. The choice of grade depends on the specific requirements of the application, such as the desired thickness, impact resistance, and cost.
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Sustainability
Kydex is a recyclable plastic material with several sustainable properties. Its durability and longevity mean it is a long-lasting product that does not need to be frequently replaced. It is also lightweight, which is beneficial for fuel efficiency in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Kydex is a thermoplastic, which means it can be easily recycled by heating waste and reforming it into sheets, retaining its properties. This process can be repeated multiple times, reducing the need for new resources and raw materials. The use of recycled-grade materials in the supply chain demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and a reduction in environmental impact.
Kydex is also a versatile material that can be used in various applications, including vehicle interiors, aircraft cabins, medical workstations, and protective coverings. Its ability to be shaped easily makes it suitable for vehicle storage bins, dashboards, and wall coverings in high-traffic areas. This versatility means Kydex can be a sustainable alternative to other materials in a wide range of industries.
Additionally, Kydex is known for its high impact strength, scratch and abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. These properties contribute to its sustainability by reducing the need for repairs and replacements, thus prolonging the lifespan of the products made from Kydex.
The sustainability of Kydex is further enhanced by its recyclability. The recycled-grade Kydex V103 sheet is available in black and pinstripe colours, making it suitable for hidden or painted parts. This recycled option offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to virgin plastic materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Kydex is a thermoplastic made from acrylic and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Kydex is rigid, tough, durable, lightweight, and flexible plastic with high impact strength, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy. It is also easy to shape, cut, and machine.
Kydex is used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and decorative wall coverings. It is also commonly used for knife and gun sheaths and holsters.
Kydex is easy to sanitize and maintain, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing. It can also be recycled and is available in a variety of colours, textures, and sizes.
