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.  

Drake Plastics developments like this 130 mm Torlon Seamless Tube® is enabling technology for future aircraft generators, where more output is required from smaller, lighter weight units.  

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 before running the Daytona 24 Hours, where the car becomes very sloppy due to worn bushings during the race. Torlon 4435 was proven at the very rough track at Sebring with excellent results. Richard Taylor of the Risi Team said “The Torlon 4435 bushings have shown no wear throughout the season. It looks ...

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 laminate vanes. Drake extrudes these parts to final size. Contact GE Oil & Gas (formerly A-C Compressor) for the best performing rotary vane compressors available (920-237-6160).  

Tough, lightweight and non-conductive, Torlon 4203 is the material of first choice for drop tank and in-flight refueling connects for Allied air forces around the world. Drake’s extensive Seamless Tube® capability enables parts to be made quickly and economically. Additionally, flow and weld lines found in injection molded blanks are eliminated.  

Today’s wells are deeper, resulting in higher temperatures and pressures. This is driving the next generation of oil tools to be designed with high temperature, high strength materials like Torlon. Drake is serving a variety of these applications with parts made from Torlon Seamless Tube®. Due to the confidential nature of these parts, photos are not available.  

High strength plastic fasteners made from Torlon and PEEK are emerging from best kept secret status. Key benefits are: light weight, chemical & corrosion resistance, and insulative grades don’t interfere with sensitive electronics. Drake now offers several standard, stock fasteners as well as a complete capability to make the size you require- injection molded or machined.  

In order to keep up with rising customer demand, Drake Plastics designed and built a new facility 15 minutes from our old location in Cypress, Texas. Manufacturing at this location is focused on extruded Torlon Products. Sales and service for extruded specialty PEEK products from our San Antonio plant (Drake Research) are also coordinated from here. We moved in May 2004, shutting down production for one day. Key features include 11,600 sq ft of office, manufacturing and warehouse space; making our new plant the largest Torlon dedicated facility in the world. The facility is located on 12 acres to accommodate ...