Plastic Selection
I'm going to have an online machine shop build a part for me using a CAD drawing that I specify.
Typically, these parts are made of Aluminum, but this manufacturer also mills parts out of these plastic materials:
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- High impact polystyrene (HIPS)
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polyester (PES)
- Polyamides (PA) (Nylons)
- Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)
- Polyurethanes (PU)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyethylene (PE)
Polypropylene, I know, is the plastic used in Water Bottles, so I know that is not what I want.
This fabricated part will be used for the Clutch Cover on a motorcycle transmission and will have a raised section that needs to be tapped to allow attaching a gear shifter to, like in the Aluminum version below.
I'd like something rigid and strong. Plexiglass comes to mind, but there could be a better alternative that I am unaware of, as long as I am not getting into something exotic that would cost more than Aluminum.
Is there a Chemical guy on here who could suggest a good plastic for me?
Naturally, the material would need to be oil resistant and withstand typical engine transmission temperatures.
Update:
Apparently, I never updated this thread.
What did I wind up doing? Instead of having something cut out of a polymer, I simply welded an aluminum tab to the aluminum derby cover.
Welded Tabs http://i.imgur.com/LHqq860h.jpg
Then, I hit them with some black engine paint:
Black Custom Covers http://i.imgur.com/atH2riHh.jpg
I've been running this setup for a couple of years now:
