Blog

Drake Plastics is pleased to offer AvaSpire® PAEK machinable shapes and injection molded parts. AvaSpire is complementary to Drake’s Torlon and PEEK materials, solving performance gaps in addition to offering improved aesthetics and economics. CYPRESS,TX January 2016—Drake Plastics is pleased to announce the addition of Solvay’s AvaSpire®

An electrical component used on the F-22 fighter required a heavier cross-section than had previously been produced in Torlon 5030. Drake designed and built tooling, developed the process, and delivered this new size within six weeks.  

Precision machined Torlon poppets, seats and spools operate at 5000 psi (34 Mpa) and extend service life. Increased operating pressures enable significant system cost savings and weight reduction.  

Drake’s Seamless Tube® capability has been used to solve dimensional stability and service life problems in the printing of two-piece aluminum cans. Drake is working in close cooperation with North America’s leading fabricator of can mandrels, Blair Machine and Tool Co.  

Drake’s unique ability to produce Seamless Torlon Tube® has enabled many new applications to be served with Torlon. Further refinements in our process are underway to produce on final size as well as thin wall sections.  

Drake Plastics has recently developed a process to extrude Torlon to a .050″ (1.27 mm) size. The initial applications include precision all and journal bearings.  

Torlon 4435 offers unmatched wear performance at high PV’s without external lubrication (see figure). In addition to its groundbreaking wear performance, Torlon 4435 offers excellent mechanical properties, including high strength and heat resistance.  

The Ferrari race team Risi Competizione has upgraded to Torlon 4435 suspension bushings supplied by Drake Plastics. Each car has 8 upper and 8 lower bushings. Factory bushing material wears out and has to be changed between every race. The Risi Team engineers were seeking a solution

From modern compressors to old-school superchargers, Torlon 4435 sliding vanes are breathing new life into rotary vane machinery. In addition to a dramatic extension in life, Torlon 4435 vanes reduce operating cost by requiring less lubrication. Torlon’s high temperature capability also enables higher discharge pressures than traditional