The natural resource industry requires a lot of equipment and machinery to carry out its daily operations. Unfortunately, critical parts and components are quickly damaged due to the harsh environment in which they are used. For this reason, certain plastic materials are good alternatives to traditional ones, such as metal, as they offer better long-term durability and, in certain situations, increased resistance. Moreover, plastics are sometimes more cost-effective because they reduce the need for maintenance and the frequency of replacements. Finally, they also increase the service life of nearby equipment, which can prove costly to replace.
Plastics offer a wide range of applications and are therefore more advantageous than traditional materials. They can also be used to design custom parts to meet specific needs with numerous constraints. Here a few examples of parts and components that can be made from plastic:
Contrary to metals, these types of plastics protect and preserve the equipment. Outrigger pads made of UHMW are designed to withstand cold temperatures and bad weather, protecting machine operators from accidents and preventing costly equipment breakdowns.
Thanks to their low coefficient of friction, UHMW liners for equipment such as chutes, conveyors, tanks and hoppers are an asset for the natural resource industry, as they allow materials to move more fluidly and prevent them from sticking to equipment walls. These liners also promote uniform flow and solve clogging problems more often associate with the use of metals. In addition, UHMW offers increased resistance to wear and corrosion. Certain plastics in this family are also resistant to chemical products, making them more cost-effective and helping to prevent premature wear and breakage.
Urethane liners are also a good solution for the design of damping plates, which reduce impact and protect the equipment from breakage or premature wear. In addition, they also generate less noise, since urethane softens the impact and prevents noisy collisions, for example, between rock and steel.
Bumpers made of urethane are particularly useful for mobile equipment, as they are designed to protect the equipment and ensure the safety of drivers. They act as buffers and help absorb shocks, preventing wear on critical parts. This will considerably improve the service life of the machinery and prevent breakage due to poor impact resistance. Unlike metal, urethane regains its shape after impact, which greatly reduces the need to replace expensive parts or shut down operations. Urethane bumpers also protect the truck’s frame against friction when in motion.
Nylon pulleys and cables are also an interesting alternative to metals. They are much lighter, have smoother rotational movement, do not rust, are self-lubricating and are resistant to wear and friction. Thanks to their increased durability, they reduce the need for maintenance.
FRP is an excellent material to use in the construction of ladders, guardrails, stairs, work platforms and more. It has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than traditional materials, which means it can withstand heavy loads. It is easy to clean, nonconductive, durable and resistant to corrosion, all of which reduce the frequency of maintenance. Since this material is available with a non-slip finish, it increases workplace safety by reducing injuries due to falls or electrocution.
Several interesting applications offer cost efficiency and personal-safety advantages, particularly in the field of natural resources. It is important to target your specific needs to create plastic parts that are durable and facilitate your operations.