Plastic Shims & Gaskets
Custom Plastic Gaskets.
Colour-coded Polymex® polymer gaskets, precision cut to your exact requirements, with a technical team to support you and fast worldwide delivery.
- Colour-coded thicknesses
- 12–3000µ
- Made in our Midlands facility
- UK
The innovators of colour-coded polymer gaskets
Trusted in some of the world's most recognised brands.
Plastic Shims & Gaskets is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of colour-coded Polymex® materials, specified in some of the world's most recognised brands and technical applications.
Our commitment to quality, consistency and service has earned international recognition across many industries as a manufacturer of high-quality, precision-cut components and gaskets.
Contact us to find out morePolymex® polyester spec ‘A’
0.012 mm to 0.350 mm (0.0005″ to 0.014″)
| Property | Value (MD / TD) | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Relative density | 1.40 | ASTM D 1505 |
| Water absorption | 0.60% (1 week, 24°C) | Not applicable |
| Mechanical | ||
| Tensile strength | MD2,000 kgf/cm²TD2,600 kgf/cm² | ASTM D 882 |
| Yield strength | MD1,000 kgf/cm²TD1,000 kgf/cm² | ASTM D 882 |
| Elongation at break | MD125%TD80% | ASTM D 882 |
| Ultimate compressive strength | 28,500 psi (250A) | ASTM D 695-63T |
| Electrical | ||
| Dielectric strength | 6.4 kV (23 µm), 16 kV (125 µm), 23 kV (250 µm) | ASTM D 149 |
| Surface resistivity | > 10¹³ Ω/sq | Not applicable |
| Thermal | ||
| Service temperature | −70°C to 130°C | Not applicable |
| Melting point | 265°C | Not applicable |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (20°C to 50°C) | MD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°CTD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°C | Not applicable |
| Shrinkage (after 5 minutes at 190°C) | MD3%TD3% | Not applicable |
General
- Relative density
- 1.40
- Test method: ASTM D 1505
- Water absorption
- 0.60% (1 week, 24°C)
Mechanical
- Tensile strength
- MD2,000 kgf/cm²TD2,600 kgf/cm²
- Test method: ASTM D 882
- Yield strength
- MD1,000 kgf/cm²TD1,000 kgf/cm²
- Test method: ASTM D 882
- Elongation at break
- MD125%TD80%
- Test method: ASTM D 882
- Ultimate compressive strength
- 28,500 psi (250A)
- Test method: ASTM D 695-63T
Electrical
- Dielectric strength
- 6.4 kV (23 µm), 16 kV (125 µm), 23 kV (250 µm)
- Test method: ASTM D 149
- Surface resistivity
- > 10¹³ Ω/sq
Thermal
- Service temperature
- −70°C to 130°C
- Melting point
- 265°C
- Coefficient of thermal expansion (20°C to 50°C)
- MD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°CTD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°C
- Shrinkage (after 5 minutes at 190°C)
- MD3%TD3%
MD: machine direction. TD: transverse direction.
Precision-cut polymer components
From simple washers to complex profiles.
We offer a range of shapes, from simple OD/ID components to complex parts, made to your requirements and specified tolerances.
Cut to your tolerances
Made to your drawing and the tolerances you specify.
Colour-coded by thickness
Every gasket's colour indicates its thickness, so the right one is picked by sight, without a micrometer.
Simple to complex
From OD/ID washers and spacers to intricate multi-hole profiles.
The Polymex® colour code
Every thickness has its own colour.
The full Polymex® range, from 12 to 3000 microns. Switch between millimetres and inches.
- Clear 0.012 mm
- Purple 0.025 mm
- Pink 0.037 mm
- Blue 0.050 mm
- Black 0.065 mm
- Green 0.075 mm
- Amber 0.100 mm
- Brown 0.125 mm
- Clear 0.150 mm
- P. Blue 0.175 mm
- Hazy 0.190 mm
- T. Blue 0.200 mm
- Silver 0.225 mm
- White 0.250 mm
- D. Green 0.300 mm
- Natural 0.350 mm
- Red 0.375 mm
- Yellow 0.500 mm
- Hazy 0.500 mm
- L. Grey 0.625 mm
- Blue 0.750 mm
- Tan 1.000 mm
- C. Grey 1.250 mm
- Cream 1.500 mm
- Natural 2.000 mm
- Black 3.000 mm
Colours on screen are indicative. Ask for a physical Polymex® swatch for exact matching.
Why choose Polymex® polymers?
Everything a shim should be, and lighter than metal.
Instant identification
Colour-coding identifies the thickness at a glance, internationally trusted and recognised.
Strong and light
A high strength-to-weight ratio makes Polymex® a strong alternative to metal shims, with corrosion resistance and durability.
Built to last
Highly durable, with excellent wear resistance and high compressive strength.
Resists oil, chemicals and moisture
It will not swell or degrade, even in harsh environments.
Insulating and low friction
Excellent insulation properties and a low coefficient of friction.
Wide temperature range
An extensive range of temperature tolerances.
Made in the UK
Manufactured to high quality standards in our high-hygiene facility.
Polymex® polypropylene spec ‘B’
0.375 mm to 3.000 mm (0.015″ to 0.118″)
| Property | Value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength at yield | 3,560 lbf/in² | BS 2782 301G |
| Ultimate compressive strength | 4,000 to 8,000 psi | Not applicable |
| Elastic modulus in tension | 200,000 lbf/in² | ASTM D790 59T |
| Izod impact strength | 8 ft·lbf/in notch | BS 2782 306A |
| Izod impact strength (1.00 mm notch) | 430 J/m notch | Not applicable |
| Brittle failures | None | Not applicable |
| Brinell hardness | 9.5 | BS 240 |
| Softening point | 144°C | BS 2782 102D |
| Coefficient of linear expansion | 11 × 10⁻⁵ per °C | Not applicable |
| Surface resistivity | > 10¹⁵ Ω | BS 2782 203A |
| Volume resistivity | > 10¹⁶ Ω·cm | BS 2782 202A |
| Electrical strength | 19 kV/mm | BS 2782 206B |
| Specific gravity | 0.91 to 0.95 | Not applicable |
| Water absorption | 0.3 mg (< 0.02%) | BS 2782 502D |
- Tensile strength at yield
- 3,560 lbf/in²
- Test method: BS 2782 301G
- Ultimate compressive strength
- 4,000 to 8,000 psi
- Elastic modulus in tension
- 200,000 lbf/in²
- Test method: ASTM D790 59T
- Izod impact strength
- 8 ft·lbf/in notch
- Test method: BS 2782 306A
- Izod impact strength (1.00 mm notch)
- 430 J/m notch
- Brittle failures
- None
- Brinell hardness
- 9.5
- Test method: BS 240
- Softening point
- 144°C
- Test method: BS 2782 102D
- Coefficient of linear expansion
- 11 × 10⁻⁵ per °C
- Surface resistivity
- > 10¹⁵ Ω
- Test method: BS 2782 203A
- Volume resistivity
- > 10¹⁶ Ω·cm
- Test method: BS 2782 202A
- Electrical strength
- 19 kV/mm
- Test method: BS 2782 206B
- Specific gravity
- 0.91 to 0.95
- Water absorption
- 0.3 mg (< 0.02%)
- Test method: BS 2782 502D
Washers and spacers
Polymer washers and spacers in other materials too.
When colour-coded Polymex® is not the right material, we cut washers and spacers in nylon, PTFE, fibre, rubber and metal. Our guide explains how to specify them, and our PTFE gaskets and engineering plastics guides cover the most common alternatives.
Custom washers and spacersGet a quote today
Get a quote for custom plastic gaskets.
- 01
Send your drawing
Upload a DXF, DWG, PDF or STEP file, or describe the part. Everything you send is handled in confidence.
- 02
Material advice
Our technical team helps you select the right material and thickness for the application.
- 03
Precision cut in-house
Die cutting, precision laser or water jet, chosen to hold your specified tolerances.
- 04
Delivered to your deadline
Manufactured in the UK and shipped worldwide.
Request a quote
Tell us what you need and a member of our technical team will be in touch.
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